 Book 17, chapters 1 through 5 of Le Morte de Arthur, volume 2. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Valerie Sudham. Le Morte de Arthur, volume 2 by Sir Thomas Mallory, book 17, chapters 1 through 5. Chapter 1. Now say at this story, when Gala had had rescued Percival from the twenty nights, he yeeted though into a waste forest wherein he rode many journeys, and he found many adventures, the which he brought to an end, whereof the story maketh here no mention. Then he took his way to the sea on a day, and it befell as he passed by a castle where was a wonder tournament. But they, without, had done so much that they, within, were put to the worse, yet were they within good nights enough. When Gala had saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men slew them at the entry of the castle, then he thought to help them, and put a spear forth, and smote the first that he fell to the earth, and the spear broke to pieces. Then he drew his sword and smote there as they were thickest, and so he did wonderful deeds of arms and all they marveled. Then it happened that Gawain and Sir Ector Demaris were with the knights without, but when they aspired the white shield with the red cross, the one said to the ender, Yonder is the good knight Sir Gala had, the hot prince. Now he should be a great fool, which should meet with him to fight. So by adventure he came by Sir Gawain, and he smote him so hard that he clave his helm and the coiff of iron unto his head, so that Gawain fell to the earth, but the stroke was so great that it slanted down to the earth, and carved the horses shoulder in two. When Ector saw Gawain down, he drew him aside, and thought it no wisdom for to abide him, and also for natural love that he was his uncle. Thus through his great hardiness he beat aback all the knights without, and then they within came out and chased them all about. But when Gala had saw there would none turn away, he stole away privately, so that none wist where he was become. Now by my head said Gawain to Ector, now are the wonders true that were said of Lancelot du Lake, that the sword which stuck in the stone should give me such a buffet, that I would not have it for the best castle in the world. And soothly now it is proved true, for never ere had I such a stroke of man's hand, sir, said Sir Ector, me seemeth your quest is done, and yours is not done, said Gawain, but mine is done, I shall seek no further. Then Gawain was born into a castle, and unarmed him, and laid him in a rich bed, and a leech found that he might live, and to be whole within a month. Thus Gawain and Ector abode together, for Sir Ector would not away till Gawain were whole. And the good night Gala had rode so long till he came that night to the castle of Carbonac, and it befell him thus that he was benighted in a hermitage. So the good man was feign when he saw that he was a night errant, though when they were at rest there came a gentlewoman knocking at the door and called Gala had, and so the good man came to the door and whipped what she would. Then she called the hermit, Sir Ulfin, I am a gentlewoman that would speak with the night which is with you. Then the good man awakened Gala had and bade him, arise and speak with the gentleman that seemeth have great need of you. Then Gala had went to her and asked her what she would. Gala had, said she, I will that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse and follow me, for I shall show you within these three days the highest adventure that ever any night saw. Anon Gala had armed him, and took his horse, and commended him to God, and bade the gentlewoman go, and he would follow there as she liked. CHAPTER II So she rode as fast as her palfery might bear her, till that she came to the sea, which was called Kolabi, and at that night they came unto a castle in a valley, closed with the running water, and with strong walls and high, and so she entered into the castle with Gala had, and there had he great cheer, for the lady of that castle was the damizel's lady. So when he was unarmed, then said the damizel, Madam, shall we abide here all this day? Nay said she, but till he hath dined, until he hath slept a little. So he ate, and slept a while, till that the maid called him, and armed him by torchlight. And when the maid was hoarse, and he both, the lady took Gala had a fair child, and rich, and so they departed from the castle, till they were come to the seaside. And there they found the ship, where boars and purseful ran, the witch cried on the ship's board, Sir Gala had ye be welcome, we have abidden you long. And when he heard them, he asked them what they were. Sir said she, leave your horses here, and I shall leave mine, and took their saddle and their bridles with them, and made a cross on them, and so entered into the ship. And the two knights received them both with great joy, and everyone knew each other, and so the wind arose, and drove them through the sea in a marvelous pace, and within a while it dawned. Then did Gala had off his helm and his sword, and asked of his fellows from whence came that fair ship. They said they, ye watch as well as we, but of God's grace. And then they told everyone to other of their all hard adventures, and of their great temptations. Truly said Gala had ye are much bound into God, for ye have escaped great adventures, but had not the gentleman been, I have not come here. For as for you I weaned never to have been found in these strange countries. Ah Gala had, said boars, if Lancelot your father were here, then were we well at ease? For then me seemed we failed nothing. That may not be, said Gala had, but if it pleased our Lord. Then the ship went to the land of Logres, and by adventure it arrived up the twix two rocks, passing a great and marvelous. But there bit they might not land, for there was a swallow of the sea, save there was another ship, and upon it they might go without danger. Go we dithers, said the gentleman, and there shall we see adventures, for so is our Lord's will. And when they came thither they found the ship rich enough, but they found neither man nor women therein. But they found in the end of the ship two fair letters written, which said a dreadful word and a marvelous. Thou man which shall enter onto the ship, beware thou, be instead fast belief, for I am faith, and therefore beware how thou interest, for if thou fail I shall not help thee. Then said the gentleman, Percival, watch ye what I am. Sertes said he, nay, to my wedding. Wittywell said she, that I am thy sister, which I am daughter of King Pelinor, and therefore, Wittywell, you are the man in the world that I must love. And if you be not in perfect belief of Jesu Christ, inter not in no manner of wise, for then should ye perish the ship, for he is so perfect he will suffer no center in him. When Percival understood that she was his very sister, he was inwardly glad, and said, fair sister, I shall enter therein, for if I be a miscreature or an untrue night, there I shall perish. Chapter 3. In the meanwhile, Gala had blessed him, and there entered therein, and then next the gentlewoman, and then surbors, and surpercival. And when they were in, it was so marvelous fair and rich that they marveled, and in the midst of the ship was a fair bed, and Gala had went there too, and found there a crown of silk. And at the feet was a sword, rich and fair, and it was drawn out of the sheath half a foot or more, and the sword was of divers fashions, and the pommel was of stone, and there was in him all manner of colors that any man might find, and every one of the colors had diverse virtues. And the scales of the half were of two ribs of diverse beasts, and one beast was a serpent, which was conversant in Caledon, and is called the serpent of the fiend, and the bone of him is of such a virtue that there is no hand that handleeth him such shall never be weary nor hurt. And the other beast is a fist, which is not right great, and the hunted the flood of Euphrates, and that fish is called Urtonax, and his bones be of such a manner of kind that who that handleeth them shall have so much will that he shall never be weary, and he shall not think on joy or sorrow that he hath had but only at the thing that he beholdeth before him. And as for the sword there shall never man be grip him at the handles but one, but he shall pass all other. And the name of God said, Percival, I shall assay to handle it. So he said his hand to the sword, but he might not be grip it. By my faith said he, now I have failed. For said his hand there too, and failed. Then Gala had beheld the sword, and saw letters like blood that said, Let's see who shall assay to draw me out of my sheath. But if he be more heartier than any other, and who that draweth me, which he will that he shall never fail of shame of his body or to be wounded to the death. By my faith said Gala had, I would draw the sword out of the sheath. But the offending is so great that I shall not set my hand there too. Now Cer's said the gentle woman, which he will that the drawing of this sword is worn to all men save all, only to you. All this ship arrived in the realm of Logris, and that time was deadly war between King Labour, which was fathered to the maimed king and King Helam, which was a Saracen. But then he was newly christened so that the men held him afterward, one of the wittiest men of the world. And so upon a day it befell that King Labor and King Helam had assembled their folk upon the sea where this ship was arrived. And there King Helam was discomfort and his men slain and he was afeard to be dead and fled to his ship, and there found this sword and drew it, and came out and found King Labour, the man of the world of all christened them in whom was then the greatest faith. And when King Helam saw King Labour he dressed the sword and smote him upon the helm so hard that he glaive him and his horse to the earth with the first stroke of his sword. And it was in the realm of Logris and so befell great pestilence and great harm to both realms. For sithin increased neither corn nor grass nor well-nigh nor fruit, nor in the water was no fish, wherefore men call it in the lands of the two marches, the wasteland, for that Dolores stroke. And when King Helam saw this sword so carving he turned again to fetch the scabbard and so came into the ship and entered and put up the sword in the sheath. And as soon as he had done it he fell down dead for the bed. Thus was the sword proved that none drew it, but he were dead or mained. So lay he there till a maiden came unto the ship and cast him out, for there was no man so hardy of the world to enter into that ship for the defense. Chapter 4 And then beheld they the scabbard. It seemed to be of a serpent's skin, and therein were letters of gold and silver, and the girdle was but poorly to come to and not able to sustain such a rich sword. And the letter said, he which shall wield me sought to be more harder than any other, and if he bear me as truly as he ought to be born. For the body of him which I ought to hang by, he shall not be shamed in no place while he is girded with this girdle, for never none be so hardy to do away with this girdle, for it not to be done away but by the hands of a maid, and that she be a king's daughter and a queen's, and she must be a maid all the days of her life, both in will and in deed. And if she break her virginity, she shall die, the most villainous death that ever died any women. Sir said, Percival, turn this sword that we may see what is on the other side. And it was red with blood, with black letters as any coal said, he that shall praise me most, most shall he find me to blame at a great need, and to whom I should be most debonair, shall I be most felon, and that shall be at one time. Fare, brothers, said she to Percival. It befell after a forty year after the pastern of Jesu Christ, that Nassian, the brother-in-law of King Mordrens, was born into a town more than fourteen days' journey from his country. By the commandment of our Lord unto an isle, unto the parts of the west, that men cleft the isle of turnets. So befelleth that he found this ship at the entry of a rock, and he found the bed in this sword as we have heard now. Not for then he had not so much hardiness to draw it. And there he dwelled in eight days, and at the ninth day there fell a great wind which departed him out of the isle, and brought him to another isle by a rock. And there he found the greatest giant that ever man might see. Therewith came that horrible giant to slay him, and then he looked about him and might not flee, and he had nothing to defend with him with. So he ran to his sword, and when he saw it naked, he praised it much. And then he shook it, and therewith he break it into the mist. Ah, said Nassian, the thing that I most praised, I now most to blame. And therewith he drew the pieces of his sword over his bed, and after he leapt over the board to fight with the giant and slew him. And then on he entered into the ship again, and the wind arose and drove him through the sea, and by adventure he came to another ship where King Mordrens was, which had been tempted full evil with a fiend in the port of perilous rock. And when that one saw the other, they made great joy of each other and either told other of their adventure and how the sword failed him at his most need. When Mordrens saw the sword, he praised it much, but the breaking was not to do, but by wickedness of thy self-word, for thou art in some sin. And there he took the sword and set the pieces together, and they soldered as fair as ever they were to four. And there put he the sword in the sheath and laid it down on the bed. And then heard the voice that said, go out of this ship a little while and enter into the world for a dredgy fall in deadly sin, for and ye be found in deadly sin, ye may not escape but perish. And so they went into the other ship, and as Nassian went over the board, he was smitten with the sword on the right foot. So he fell down nose-link to the ship's board, and therewith he said, oh God, how I am hurt. And then there came a voice and said, take thou that for thy forfeit that thou didst in drawing of this sword, therefore thou have receivest a wound for thou were never worthy to handle it, as the writing Maketh mentioned. In the name of God said Galahad, ye are right wise of these works. Chapter five. Sir said she, there was a knight at Hyde Palace, the maimed king. And while he might ride, he supported much Christendom and holy church. So upon a day he hunted in a wood of his, which lasted unto the sea, and at the last he lost his hounds and his knights save only one. And there he and his knight went till they came toward Ireland, and there he found the ship. And when he saw the letters and understood them, yet he entered, for he was right perfect of his life, but his knight had none hardiness to enter, and there found he this sword, and drew it out as much as ye may see. So therewith entered a spear wherewith he was smitten him through both the thighs, and never sith might he be healed, nor not shout before we come to him. Thus said she, was not King Pallas, your grand sire maimed for his hardiness? In the name of God, the Amazel said Galahad. So they went toward the bed to behold all about it, and there above the head there hung two swords. Also there were two spindles, which were white as any snow, and other that were red as blood, and other above green as any emerald. Of these three colors were the spindles, and of natural color within and without any painting. These spindles of the damsel, where when sinful Eve came to gather fruit, for which Adam and she were put out of paradise, she took with her the bow on which the apple hung on. Then perceived she that the branch was fair and green, and she remembered that her loss, which came from the tree. Then she thought to keep the branch as long as she might, and for she had no coffer to keep it in, she put it in the earth. So by the will of our Lord, the branch grew into a great tree within a little while, and was as white as any snow, branches, bows, and leaves. It was a token, a maiden planted it, but after God came to Adam and made him know his wife fleshly as nature required. So lay Adam with his wife under the same tree, and anon the tree, which was white and full, green as any grass, and all that came out of it, and in the same time that they meddled together, there was able be gotten. Thus was the tree long of green color. And so it befell many days after under the same tree, came slew able, where of befell great marvel. For anon as able had received the death under the great tree, it lost the green color and became red, and that was in tokening of the blood. And anon all the plants died thereof, but the tree grew and waxed marvelously fair, and it was the fairest tree and the most delectable that any man might behold and see. And so died the plants that grew out of it to fore that able was slain under it. So long deured the tree that Solomon, king David's son, reigned and held the land after his father. This Solomon was wise and knew all the virtues of stones and trees, and so he knew the course of the stars and many other diverse things. The Solomon had an evil wife, where through he weaned that there had been no good woman, and so he despised them in his books. So I answered a voice him once, Solomon, if heaviness come to a man by a woman, they wreck thou never, for yet shall there come a woman whereof there shall come greater joy a man and hundred times more than his heaviest giveth sorrow, and that woman shall be born of thy lineage. Though when Solomon heard these words he held himself but a fool, and the truth he perceived by old books. Also the Holy Ghost showed him the coming of the glorious Virgin Mary. Then he asked of the voice if it should be in the year of his lineage. Nay, said the voice, but there shall come a man which shall be a maid in the last of your blood, and he shall be as good a knight as Duke Joshua, thy brother-in-law. End of book 17, chapters one through five, recording by Valerie Sudam in Washington, DC. Chapter six to 10, book 17, volume two of L'Amour d'Artour. This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, read by Lars Rolander. L'Amour d'Artour, volume two by Sir Thomas Mallory. Chapter six. Now I have certified the of that though studious in doubt. Then was Solomon glad that there should come any such of his lineage, but ever he marveled and studied who that should be, and what his name might be. His wife perceived that he studied and thought she should know it at some season, and so she waited her time and asked of him the course of his studying, and there he told her altogether how the voice told him. Well, said she, I shall let make a ship of the best wood and most durable that men may find. So Solomon sent for all the carpenters of the land and the best, and when they had made the ship, the lady said to Solomon, Sir, said she, since it is so that this night ought to pass all nights of chivalry which have been to for him and shall come after him. Moreover, I shall tell you, said she, he shall go into our Lord's temple where is King David's sword, your father, the witch is the marvelous and the sharpest that ever was taken in any night's hand. Therefore take that and take off the pommel and there to make ye a pommel of precious stones that it be so supple made that no man perceive it but they be all one, and after make there an hilt so marvelously and wonderly that no man may know it, and after make a marvelous sheath. And when ye have made all this, I shall let make a girdle there too, such as shall please me. Or this King Solomon did let make as she devised, both the ship and all the remnant. And when the ship was ready in the sea to sail, the lady let make a great bed and marvelous rich and set her upon the bed's head, covered with silk, and laid the sword at the feet, and the girdles were of him, and therewith the King was angry. Sir, wit ye well, said she, that I gave none so high a thing which were worthy to sustain so high a sword, and a maid shall bring other nights there too, but I what not when it shall be, nor what time. And there she let make a covering to the ship, a cloth of silk that should never rot for no manner of weather. Yet went that lady and made a carpenter to come to the tree which Abel was slain under. And now said she, call me out of this tree as much wood as will make me a spindle. Ah, madame, said he, this is the tree the which of our first mother planted. Do it, said she, or else I shall destroy thee. And on as he began to work there came out drops of blood, and then would he have left, but she would not suffer him. And so he took away as much wood as might make a spindle, and so she made him to take as much of the green tree and of the white tree. And when these three spindles were shapen, she made them to be fastened upon the sailor of the bed. When Solomon saw this, he said to his wife, ye have done marvelously, for though all the world were here right now, he could not devise wherefore all this was made, but our Lord himself, and thou that has done it, whet is not what it shall be token. Now let it be, said she, for ye shall hear tidings sooner than ye wean. Now shall ye hear a wonderful tale of King Solomon and his wife. Chapter 7 That night lay Solomon before the ship with little fellowship, and when he was asleep, him thought there came from heaven a great company of angels, and alighted into the ship, and took water which was brought by an angel in a vessel of silver, and sprent all the ship, and after he came to the sword and drew letters on the hilt, and after went to the ship's board, and wrote there other letters which said, Thou man that wilt enter within me, beware that thou be full within the faith, for I ne'em but faith and belief. When Solomon aspired these letters, he was abashed, so that he durst not enter, and so drew him aback. And the ship was a known chauvin in the sea, and he went so fast that he lost sight of him within a little while. And then a little voice said, Solomon, the last night of thy lineage, shall rest in this bed. Then went Solomon and awaked his wife, and told her of the adventures of the ship. And now set the history that a great while the three fellows beheld the bed and the three spindles. Then they were at certain that they were of natural colors without painting. Then they lift up a cloth which was above the ground, and there found a rich purse by seeming. And Percival took it, and found therein a writ, and so he read it, and devised the manner of the spindles and of the ship, whence it came, and by whom it was made. Now, said Galahad, where shall we find the gentle woman that shall make new girdles to the sword? Fair sir, said Percival's sister, dismay you not, for by the leave of God I shall it make a girdle to the sword, such one as shall long there too. And then she opened a box and took out girdles which were seemly wrought with golden threads, and upon that were set full precious stones, and a rich buckle of gold. Lo, Lord, said she, here is a girdle that ought to be set about the sword, and which ye well the greatest part of this girdle was made of my hair, which I loved well while that I was a woman of the world. But as soon as I wished that this adventure was ordained me, I clipped off my hair and made this girdle in the name of God. Ye be well found, said sir Bors, for surges ye have put us out of great pain, wherein we should have entered ne' had your tidings pinned. Then went the gentle woman and set it on the girdle of the sword. Now, said the fellowship, what is the name of the sword, and what shall we call it? Truly, said she, the name of the sword is the sword with strange girdles, and the sheath mover of blood, for no man that hath blood in him shall never see the one part of the sheath which was made of the tree of life. Then they said to Galahad, in the name of Jesus Christ, and pray you that ye gird you with this sword, which hath been decide so much in the realm of Logres. Now let me begin, said Galahad, to grip this sword, for to give you courage, but which ye well it longeth no more to me than it hath to you. And then he gripped about it with his fingers a great deal, and then she gird him about the middle with the sword. Now, wreck I not though I die, for now I hold me one of the blessed maidens of the world, which hath made the worthiest night of the world. Damosel, said Galahad, ye have done so much that I shall be your night all the days of my life. Then they went from that ship and went to the other, and a known the wind drew them into the sea a great pace, but they had no victuals, but it befell that they came on the moan to a castle that men call Cartelwaas, that was in the marches of Scotland. And when they had passed the port, the gentle woman said, lords, here be men a ribbon, that and they wished that ye were of King Arthur's court, ye should be assailed anon. Damosel, said Galahad, he that cast us out of the rock shall deliver us from them. CHAPTER VIII So it befell as they spoke, thus there came a squire by them, and asked what they were, and they said they were of King Arthur's house. Is that sooth, said he. Now by my head, said he, ye be ill arraid, and then turned he against unto the cliff fortress, and within a while they heard a horn blow. Then a gentle woman came to them, and asked them to whence they were, and they told her. Fair Lord, said she, for God's love turn again if ye may, for ye be come unto your death. Nay, they said, we will not turn again, for he shall help us in whose service we be entered in. Then as they stood talking, there came knights well armed, and made them jeal them, or else to die. That jealding, said they, shall be noyous to you, and therewith they let their horses run, and so Percival smote the foremost through the earth, and took his horse and mounted thereupon, and the same did Galahad. Also Bors served another so, for they had no horses in that country, for they left their horses when they took their ship in other countries. And so when they were hoarsed, then began they to set upon them, and they of the castle fled into the strong fortress, and the three knights after them into the castle, and so alighted on foot, and with their swords slew them down, and got into the hall. Then when they beheld the great multitude of people that they had slain, they held themself great sinners. Serters, said Bors, I wean on God had loved them, that we should not have had power to have slain them thus. But they have done so much against our Lord, that he would not suffer them to reign no longer. Say ye not so, said Galahad, for if they misted against God, the vengeance is not ours, but to him which hath power thereof. So came there out of a chamber a good man which was a priest, and bear God's body in a cup, and when he saw them which lay dead in the hall, he was all abashed, and Galahad did off his helm and kneel down, and so did his two fellows. Ser, said they, have no dread of us, for we be of King Arthur's court. Then asked the good man how they were slain so suddenly, and they told it him. Truly, said the good man, and ye might live as long as the world might endure, ne' might ye have done so great an arms deed as this. Ser, said Galahad, I repent me much inasmuch as they were christened, nay, repent you not, Ser he, for they were not christened, and I shall tell you how that I what of this castle. Here was Lord Earl Hurnox, not but one year, and he had three sons, good knights of arms, and a daughter, the fairest gentle woman that men knew. So those three knights loved their sisters, so sore that they Brent in love, and so they lay by her, maugre her head. And for she cried to her father, they slew her, and took their father and put him in prison, and wounded him night to the death, but a cousin of hers rescued him. And then did they great untruth, they slew clerks and priests, and made beatown chapels, that our Lord's service might not be served, nor said. And this same day her father sent to me, for to be confessed and houselet, but such shame had never man as I had this day with the three brethren. But the Earl paid me suffer, for he said they should no long endure, for three servants of our Lord shall destroy them, and now it is brought to an end. And by this may ye wit that our Lord is not as pleased with your deeds. Sir, just said Galahad, and it had not pleased our Lord, never should we have slain so many in so little a while. And then they brought the Earl Hurnox out of prison into the midst of the hall, that new Galahad anon, and yet he saw him never reformed, but by revelation of our Lord. Chapter 9 Then began he to weep right tenderly, and said, Long have I abidden your coming, but for God's love hold me in your arms, that my soul may depart out of my body in so good a man's arms as ye be. Gladly, said Galahad, and then one said on high, that all heard Galahad, well hast thou avenged me on God's enemies, now behoved thee to go to the maimed king as soon as thou mayest, for he shall receive by the health which he hath abidened so long. And therewith the soul departed from the body, and Galahad made him to be buried as him ought to be. Right so departed the three knights and Percival's sister with them, and so they came into waste forest, and there they saw for them a white heart which four lions led. Then they took them to a cent for to follow after for to know whether they repaired, and so they rode after a great pace till that they came to a valley, and thereby was an hermitage where a good man dwelled, and the heart and the lions entered also. So when they saw all this they turned to the chapel, and saw the good man in a religious weed, and in the armor of our Lord, for he would sing mass of the Holy Ghost, and so they entered in and heard mass, and at the secrets of the mass they three saw the heart become a man, the which marveled them and set him upon the altar in a rich sea, and so the four lions were changed, the one to the form of a man, the other to the form of a lion, and the third to an eagle, and the fourth was changed unto an ox. Then they took their sea where the heart sat, and went out through a glass window, and there was nothing perished nor broken, and they heard of boy's say. In such a manner entered the Son of God in the womb of Maid Mary, whose virginity knee was perished, knee hurt, and when they heard these words they fell down to the earth and were stoned, and therewith was a great clearness. And when they were come to their self again, they went to the good man and prayed him that he would say them truth. What thing have you seen, said he, and they told him all that they had seen? Ah, Lord, said he, ye be welcome. Now what I will ye be the good nights, the which shall bring the sangriail to an end. For ye be they unto whom our Lord shall shoot great secrets. And well ought our Lord be signified to an heart, for the heart when he is old, he waxeth young again in his white skin. Right so cometh again our Lord from the death to life, for he lost earthly flesh, that was the deadly flesh, which he had taken in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, and for that cause appeared our Lord as a white heart without spot. And the four that were with him is to understand the four evangelists, which set in writing a part of Jesus Christ's deeds, that he did some time when he was among you an earthly man. For witty well never isny might no night know the truth, for oft times o' this our Lord showed him unto good men and unto good nights in likeness of an heart. But I suppose from henceforth ye shall see no more. And then they doid much and well there all that day. And upon the morrow when they had heard mass, they departed and commended the good man to God, and so they came to a castle and passed by. So there came a night armed after them and said, Lord, hark what I shall say to you. Chapter 10 This gentle woman that ye lead with you is a maid? Sir, said she, a maid I am. Then he took her by the bridle and said, By the holy cross ye shall not escape me to four. He have yeildened the custom of this castle. Let her go, said Perseval. Ye be not wise for a maid in what place she cometh is free. So in the meanwhile there came out a ten or twelve nights armed out of the castle, and with them came gentle women which held a dish of silver. And then they said, This gentle woman must yield us the custom of this castle. Sir, said a night, what maid passes hereby shall give the dish full of blood of her right arm. Blame have ye, said Galahad, that brought up such customs, and so God me save. I ensure you of this gentle woman ye shall fail while that I live. So God me help, said Perseval. I had left her be slain. And I also, said Sir Boris, By my troth, said the night, Then shall ye die, for ye may not endure against us, though ye were the best knights of the world. Then they let run each to other, and the three fellows beat the ten knights, and then set their hands through their swords, and beat them down, and slew them. Then there came out of the castle a three-score night armed. Fair Lord, said the three fellows, Have mercy on yourself, and have not adieu with us. Nay, Fair Lord, said the knights of the castle. We counsel you to withdraw you, for ye be the best knights of the world, and therefore do no more, for ye have done enough. We will let you go with this harm, but we must needs have the custom. Sir Tess, said Galahad, for not speak ye. While said they, will ye die? We be not yet come there too, said Galahad. Then began they to meddle together, and Galahad with the strange girdles drew his sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left hand, and slew what that ever abode him, and did such marvels that there was none that saw him but weaned. He had been none earthly man, but a monster. And his two fellows helped him passing well, and so they held the journey, every inch in like hard till it was night. Then must they needs depart. So came in a good night, and said to the three fellows, If ye will come in tonight, and take such harbours, there is ye shall be right welcome, and we shall insure you by the faith of our bodies, and as we be true knights, to leave you in such a state tomorrow as we find you without any falsehood. And as soon as ye know of the custom, we dare say ye will accord therefore. For God's love said the gentle woman, Go dither and spare not for me. Go we, said Galahad, and so they entered into the chapel. And when they were alighted, they made great joy of them. So within a while the three knights asked the custom of the castle, and wherefore it was. What it is said they, we will say you soon. End of book seventeen, chapters six to ten. Red by Lars Rolander Chapters eleven to seventeen, book seventeen, Volume two of Le Mans d'Artour. This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Red by Lars Rolander Le Mans d'Artour, Volume two by Sir Thomas Mallory. Chapter eleven There is in this castle a gentle woman, which we, and this castle is hers, and many other. So it befell many years ago, there fell upon her a malady, and when she had lain a great while she fell unto a misle, and of no leech she could have no remedy. But at the last an old man said, and she might have a dish full of blood, of a maid and a clean virgin in will and in work, and a king's daughter, that blood should be her death, and for to anoint her with all, and for this thing was this custom made. Now said Percival's sister, fair knights, I see well that this gentle woman is but dead. Sir Thess said Galahad, and ye bleed so much ye may die. Truly said she, and I die for to heal her, I shall get me great worship, and soul's health, and worship to my lineage, and better is one harm than twain. And therefore there shall be no more battle, but to mourn I shall yield to your custom of this castle. And then there was great joy more than there was to fall, for else had there been mortal war upon the mourn, notwithstanding she would none other, whether they wold or nold. That night were the three fellows east with the best, and on the mourn they heard mass, and Sir Percival's sister, they'd bring forth the sick lady. So she was, the which was evil at ease. Then said she, who shall let me blood, so one came forth and let her blood, and she bled so much that the dish was full. Then she lift up her hand and blessed her, and then she said to the lady, Madam, I'm come to the death for to make you whole, for God's love pray for me, with that she fell in a swan. Then Galahad and his two fellows start up to her, and lift her up and staunched her, but she had bled so much that she might not live. Then she said when she was awake, Fair brother Percival, I die for the healing of this lady, so I require you that you bury me not in this country, but as soon as I am dead, put me in a boat at the next haven, and let me go as adventure will lead me. And as soon as ye three come to the city of Saras, there to achieve the holy grail, ye shall find me under a tower arrived, and there bury me in the spiritual place, for I say you so much, there Galahad shall be buried, and ye also in the same place. Then Percival understood these words and granted it her weeping, and then said a voice, Lords and fellows, tomorrow at the hour of prime, ye three shall depart every inch from other, till the adventure bring you to the maimed king. Then asked she her saviour, and as soon as she had received it, the soul departed from the body. So the same day was the lady healed, when she was anointed with all. Then Sir Percival made a letter of all that she had holpened them, as in strange adventures, and put it in her right hand, and so laid her in a barge, and covered it with black seal, and so the wind arose, and drove the barge from the land, and all nights beheld it till it was out of their sight. Then they drew all to the castle, and so forthwith there fell a sudden tempest, and a thunder, lightning and rain, as all earth would have broken. So half the castle turned up so down. So it passed even some, or the tempest was ceased. Then they saw for them a night, armed and wounded hard in the body, and in the head, that said, O God, succour me for now it is need, after this night came another night, and a dwarf, which cried to them afar. Stand ye may not escape. Then the wounded night held up his hands to God, that he should not die in such tribulation. Truly, said Galahad, I shall succour him for his sake that he calleth upon. Sir, said Bors, I shall do it, for it is not for you, for he is but one night. Sir, said he, I grant, so Sir Bors took his horse and commanded him to God, and rode after, to rescue the wounded night. Now turn we to the two fellows. CHAPTER 12 Now says the story that all night Galahad and Perseval were in a chapel in their prayers for to save Sir Bors. So on the morrow they dressed them in their harness toward the castle, to wit what was fallen of them therein, and when they came there they found neither man nor woman, that he knee was dead by the vengeance of our Lord. With that they heard a voice that said, This vengeance is for bloodshedding of maidens. Also they found at the end of the chapel a church jar, and therein might they see a three-score fair tombs, and that place was so fair and so delectable, that it seemed them there had been none tempest, for there lay the bodice of all the good maidens, which were martyred for the sick ladies, say. Also they found the names of Everage, and of what blood they were come, and all were of King's blood, and twelve of them were King's daughters. Then they departed and went into a forest. Now said Perseval to Antogalahad, we must depart. So pray we our Lord that we may meet together in short time. Then they did off their helms and kissed together, and wept at their departing. Chapter 13 Now said the history that when Launcelot was come to the water of Morthwas, as it is rehearsed before, he was in great peril, and so he laid him down and slept and took the adventure that God would send him. So when he was asleep, there came a vision unto him, and said, Launcelot, rise up and take thine armor, and enter into the first ship that thou shalt find. And when he heard these words, he start up and saw great clearness about him. And then he lift up his hand and blessed him, and so took his arms and made him ready. And so by adventure he came by a strand, and found a ship that which was without sail or all. And as soon as he was within the ship, there he felt the most sweetness that ever he felt, and he was fulfilled with all thing that he thought on or desired. Then he said, Fair sweet Father Jesus Christ, I what not in what joy I am, for this joy patheth all earthly joys that ever I was in. And so in this joy he laid him down to the ship's board and slept till day. And when he awoke, he found there a fair bed, and there in lying a gentle woman dead, the which was a persuasive sister. And as Launcelot devised her, he spied in her right hand a rick the which he read, the which told him all the adventures that ye have heard to fall, and of what lineage she was come. So with this gentle woman, Sir Launcelot was a month and more. If ye would ask how he lived, he that fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert, so was he fed, for every day when he had said his prayers, he was sustained with the grace of the Holy Ghost. So on a night he went to play him by the waterside, for he was somewhat wary of the ship, and then he listened and heard an horse come, and on riding upon him, and when he came nigh he seemed a night, and so he let him pass, and went there as the ship was, and there he alighted, and took the saddle and the bridle and put the horse from him, and went into the ship. And then Launcelot dressed down to him and said, ye be welcome, and he answered and saluted him again and asked him, what is your name, for much my heart giveeth unto you. Truly said he, my name is Launcelot Delac. Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginner of me in this world. Ah, said he, are ye Galahad? Ye forsooth, said he, and so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off his helm and kissed him, and there was great joy between them, for there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, and many if friendly words spoken between, as kin would, though which is no need here to be rehearsed. And their average told other of their adventures, and marvels that were befallen to them in many journeys, sith that they departed from the court. And known as Galahad saw the gentle woman dead in the bed, he knew her well enough, and told great worship of her, that she was the best made living, and it was great pity of her death. But when Launcelot heard how the marvellous sword was gotten, and who made it, and all the marvels rehearsed a foar, then he prayed Galahad his son, that he would show him the sword, and so he did, and unknown he kissed the pommel, and the hilt, and the scabbard. Truly, said Launcelot, never is new eye of so high adventures done, and so marvellous and strange. So dwelt Launcelot and Galahad within that ship half a year, and served God daily and nightly with all their power, and often they arrived in Isles far from Fork, where there repaired none but wild beasts, and there they found many strange adventures and Perylius, which they brought to an end. But for those adventures were with wild beasts, and not in the quest of the Sangriaal, therefore the tale maketh here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all those adventures that befell them. So after on a Monday it befell that they arrived in the edge of a forest to for a cross, and then saw they a knight armed all in white, and was richly hoarse, and led in his right hand a white horse, and so he came to the ship and saluted the two knights on the High Lord's behalf, and said, Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough with your father, come out of the ship and start upon this horse, and go where the adventures shall lead thee in the quest of the Sangriaal. Then he went to his father and kissed him sweetly, and said, fair sweet father, I would not what I shall see you more till I see the body of Jesus Christ. I pray you, said Launcelot, pray ye to the High Father that he hold me in his service, and so he took his horse, and there they heard a voice that said, think for to do well, for the one shall never see the other before the dreadful day of doom. Now, son, Galahad, said Launcelot, since we shall depart and never see other, I pray to the High Father to concern me and you both. Sir, said Galahad, no prayer avails so much as yours, and therewith Galahad entered into the forest. And the wind arose and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout the sea, where he slept but little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidying of the Sangriaal. So it befell on a night at midnight he arrived for a castle on the back side, which was rich and fair, and there was a post and open toward the sea, and was open without any keeping save two lions kept the entry, and the moon shone clear. And known Sir Launcelot heard a voice that said, Launcelot, go out of this ship and enter into the castle, where thou shall see a great part of thy desire. Then he ran to his arms and so armed him, and so went to the gate and saw the lions. He set the hand to his sword and drew it. Then there came a dwarf suddenly and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell out of his hand. Then he heard a voice say, O man of evil faith and poor belief, wherefore throws thou more on thy harness than in thy maker, for he might more avail thee than thine armorer, in whose service that thou art set. Then said Launcelot, Fair Father Jesus Christ, I thank thee of thy great mercy that thou reproost me of my misdeed. Now see I well that ye hold me for your servant. Then took he again his sword and put it up in his sheet, and made a cross in his forehead, and came to the lions. And they made Semblant to do him harm, not withstanding he passed by them without hurt, and entered into the castle to the chief fortress, and there were they all addressed. Then Launcelot entered in so armed, for he found no gate nor door, but it was open. And at last he found a chamber whereof the door was shut, and he set his hand thereto to have opened it, but he might not. Chapter 15 Then he enforced him Mickel to undo the door. Then he listened and heard a voice which sang so sweetly, that it seemed none earth-list thing. And him thought the voice said, Joy and honor be to the Father of heaven. Then Launcelot kneeled down to fore the chamber, for well with tea that there was the sangriaal within that chamber. Then said he, Fair sweet Father Jesus Christ, if ever I did thing that pleased thee, Lord for thy pity never have me not in despite for my sins done a foretime, and that thou show me something of that I see. And with that he saw the chamber door opened, and there came out a great clearness that the house was as bright as all the torches of the world had been there. So came he to the chamber door and would have entered, and a known a voice said to him, Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou oughtst not to do it, and if thou enter thou shalt forethink it. Then he withdrew him aback right heavy, then looked he up in the midst of the chamber, and saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel covered with red summit, and many angels about it, whereof one held a candle of wax burning, and the other held a cross, and the ornaments of an altar. And before the holy vessel he saw a good man clothed as a priest, and it seemed that he was at the sacring of the mass. And it seemed to Launcelot that above the priest's hands were three men, whereof the two put the youngest by likeness between the priest's hands, and so he lifted up right high, and it seemed to show so to the people. And then, Launcelot marveled not a little, for him thought the priest was so greatly charged of the figure that he seemed that he should fall to the earth, and when he saw none about him that would help him, then came he to the door at great pace and said, Fair Father Jesus Christ, ne'er take it for no sin though I help the good man, which hath great need of help. Right so he entered he into the chamber, and came toward the table of silver, and when he came nigh he felt a breath that him thought it was intermeddled with fire, which smote him so sore in the visage that him thought it breathed his visage, and therewith he fell to the earth, and had no power to arise, as he that was so arranged that had lost the power of his body, and his hearing, and his seeing. Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and bare him out to the chamber door, without any amending of his swoon, and left him there seeming dead to all people. So upon the morrow when it was fair day, they within were arisen, and found Launcelot lying for the chamber door. All they marveled how that he came in, and so they looked upon him, and felt his pulse to wit whether there were any life in him, and so they found life in him, but he might not stand nor stir no member that he had, and so they took him by every part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed, far from all four, and so he lay four days. Then the one said he was alive, and the other said, Nay, in the name of God said an old man, for I do you verily to wit, he is not dead, but he is so full of life as the mightest of you all, and therefore I counsel you that he be well kept till God send him life again. CHAPTER 16 In such manner they kept Launcelot four and twenty days, and all so many nights, that ever he lay still as a dead man, and that the twenty-fifth day befell him after midday, that he opened his eyes, and when he so forked he made great sorrow, and said, Why have ye awaked me, for I was more at ease than I am now? O Jesus Christ, who might be so blessed that might see openly thy great marvels of secretness, there where no sinner may be, what have ye seen, said they about him? I have seen, said he, so great marvels that no tongue may tell, and more than any heart can think, and had not my son been here for me, I had seen much more. Then they told him how he had lain there four and twenty days and nights, then him thought it was punishment for the four and twenty years that he had been a sinner, wherefore our Lord put him in penance four and twenty days and nights. Then looked Sir Launcelot for him, and saw the hair which he had borne nigh a year, for that he forethought him right much that he had broken his promise unto the hermit, which he had about to do. Then they asked how it stood with him. For sooth, said he, I am whole of body, thank be our Lord, therefore, sirs, for God's love tell me where I am. Then said they all that he was in the castle of Carbonech. Therewith came a gentlewoman, and brought him a shirt of small linen cloth, but he changed not there, but took the hair to him again. Sir, said they, the quest of the sangrel is achieved now right in you. That never shall you see of the sangrel no more than you have seen. Now I thank God, said Launcelot, of his great mercy of that I have seen. For it suffices me, for as I suppose no man in this world hath lived better than I have done to achieve that I have done. And therewith he took the hair and clothed him in it, and above that he put a linen shirt, and after a robe of scarlet, fresh and new. And when he was so arrayed they marveled all, for they knew him that he was Launcelot the good night. And then they said all, O my Lord, sir Launcelot, be that ye, and he said, truly, I am he. Then came word to King Pellis that the night that had lain so long dead was Sir Launcelot. Then was the King right glad, and went to see him. And when Launcelot saw him come, he dressed him against him, and there made the King's great joy of him. And there the King told him tidings that his fair daughter was dead. Then Launcelot was right heavy of it, and said, Sir, me forsinketh the death of your daughter, for she was a full fair lady, fresh and young. And well I watch she bear the best night that is now on earth, for that ever was sith God was born. So the King held him there four days, and on the morrow he took his leave at King Pellis, and at all the fellowship, and thanked them of their great labor. Right so as they sat at their dinner in the chief's salad, then was so befallen that the sangria had fulfilled the table with all manner of meats that any heart might think. So as they sat, they saw all doors and the windows of the place were shut without man's hand, whereof they were all abashed, and none wished what to do. And then it happened suddenly, and night came to the chief door, and knocked and cried, Undo the door, but they would not, and every cried, Undo, but they would not. And at last it annoyed them so much that the King himself arose, and came to a window, there where the night called. Then he said, Sir Knight ye shall not enter this time, while the sangria is here. And therefore go into another, for surges ye be none of the knights of the quest, but one of them which hath served the fiend, and has left the service of our Lord. And he was passing wroth at the King's words. Sir Knight, said the King, sith ye would so feign enter, say me what country ye be. Sir, said he, I am of the realm of Logris, and my name is Ector de Marie, and brother unto my Lord Sir Launcelot. In the name of God, said the King, Me forsinketh of what I have said, for your brother is here within. And when Ector de Marie understood that his brother was there, for he was the man in the world that he most read and loved. And then he said, Ah, God, now doubleth my sorrow and shame. Full truly said the good man of the hill unto Gavain and to me of our dreams. Then went he out of the court as fast as his horse might, and so threw out the castle. Chapter 17 Then King Pellis came to Sir Launcelot and told him tidings of his brother, whereof he was sorry that he was not what to do. So Sir Launcelot departed and took his arms and said he would go see the realm of Logris, which I have not seen in twelve months, and there with he commended the King to God, and so rode through many realms, and at the last he came to a white abbey, and there they made him that night great chair. And on the morning he rose and heard mass, and for an altar he found a rich tomb, which was newly made, and then he took heed and saw the sights written with gold which said, Here lies King Bagdemagus of Gore, which King Arthur's nephew slew, and named him Sir Gavain. Then was not he a little sorry, for Launcelot loved him much more than any other, and had it been any other than Gavain he should not have escaped from death to life, and said to himself, Ah Lord God, this is a great hurt unto King Arthur's court, the loss of such a man, and then he departed and came to the abbey, where Galahad did the adventure of the tombs, and won the white shield with the red cross, and there had the great chair all that night. And on the morning he turned unto Camelot, where he found King Arthur and the Queen. But many of the knights of the round table were slain and destroyed, more than half, and so three were come home, Hector, Gavain, and Lionel, and many other that need not be rehearsed, and all that the court was passing glad of Sir Launcelot, and the King asked him many tidings of his son Galahad, and there Launcelot told the King of his adventures that had befallen him since he departed, and also he told him of the adventures of Galahad, Perseval, and Bors, which that he knew by the letter of the dead damasol, and as Galahad had told him. Now God would, said the King, that they were all three here, that shall never be, said Launcelot, for two of them shall ye never see, but one of them shall come again. Now live with this story and speak of Galahad. End of books 17, chapters 11 to 17, read by Lars Rolander. Chapters 18 to 23, book 17, volume 2 of Le Morte d'Artour. This is a LibriVox recording, all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, read by Lars Rolander. Le Morte d'Artour, volume 2 by Sir Thomas Mallory, Chapter 18. Now set the story, Galahad wrote many journeys in vain, and at the last he came to the abbey where King Mordrence was, and when he heard that, he thought he would abide to see him. And upon the morn when he had heard mass, Galahad came unto King Mordrence, and Anon the King saw him, which had lain blind of long time. And then he dressed him against him and said, Galahad, the servant of Jesus Christ, whose coming I have abided so long. Now embrace me, and let me rest on thy breast, so that I may rest between thine arms, for thou art a clean virgin above all nights, as the flower of the lily in whom virginity is signified, and thou art the rose, the which is the flower of all good virtues, and in color of fire. For the fire of the Holy Ghost is taken so in thee, that my flesh, which was all dead of oldness, is become young again. Then Galahad heard his words, then he embraced him and all his body, then said he, Fair Lord Jesus Christ, now I have my will, now I require thee in this point that I am in, thou come and visit me, and Anon our Lord heard his prayer, therewith the soul departed from the body. And then Galahad put him in the earth as a king ought to be, and so departed, and so came into a perilous forest, where he found the well, the which boileth with great waves, as the tale telleth to form. And as soon as Galahad set his hand there too, it ceased, so that it brunt no more, and the heat departed. For that it brunt it was a sign of leechery, the which was that time much used. But the heat might not abide his pure virginity, and this was taken in the country for a miracle, and so ever after it was called Galahad's well. Then by adventure he came into the country of Gore, and into the abbey where Lonslot had been to Forehand, and found the tomb of King Magdemorgos, what he was founder thereof, Joseph of Arimatai's son, and the tomb of Simeon where Lonslot had failed. Then he looked into a croft under the minster, and there he saw a tomb which brunt full marvelously. Then asked he the brethren what it was. Sir, said they, a marvelous adventure that may not be brought unto none end, but by him that patheth of bounty and of knighthood, all them of the round table. I would, said Galahad, that he would lead me there too, gladly said they, and so led him till a cave. And he went down upon graces, and came nigh the tomb, and then the flaming failed, and the fires staunched, the which many a day had been great. Then came there a voice that said, Much are ye beholden to thank our Lord, the which hath given you a good hour, that ye may draw out the souls of earthly pain, and to put them into the joys of Paradise. I am of your kindred, the which hath dwelled in this heat, this three hundred winter and four and fifty to be purged of the sin that I did against Joseph of Arimatai. Then Galahad took the body in his arms, and bear it into the minster, and that night lay Galahad in the abbey, and on the morn he gave him service, and put him in the earth for the high altar. So departed he from thence, and commended the brethren to God, and so he rode five days till that he came to the maimed king, and ever followed Perseval in the five days, asking where he had been, and so one told him how the adventures of Logris were achieved. So on a day it befell that they came out of a great forest, and there they met at Traverse with Ser Bors, the which rode alone. It is none need to tell if they were glad, and them he saluted, and they gilded him honor and good adventure, and average told other. Then said Bors, It is more than a deer and a half that I knee lay ten times, where men dwelled, but in wild forests and in mountains, but God was ever my comfort. Then rode they a great while till that they came to the castle of Carbonac, and when they were entered within the castle, King Pellis knew them. Then there was great joy, for they whist well by their coming that they had fulfilled the quest of the Sangria. Then Eliasar, King Pellis' son, brought to fore them the broken sword, wherewith Joseph was stricken through the thigh. Then Bors set his hand thereto, if that he might have soldered it again, but it would not be. Then he took it to Perseval, but he had no more power thereto than he. Now have ye it again, said Perseval to Galahad, for an it be ever achieved by any bodily man, ye must do it. And then he took the pieces and set them together, and they seemed that they had never been broken, and as well as it had been first forged. And when they within aspired that the adventure of the sword was achieved, then they gave the sword to Bors, for it might not be better set, for he was a good night and a worthy man. And a little of four even the sword arose great and marvellous, and was full of great heat, that many men fell for dread. And a known alighted a voice among them, and said, They that ought not to sit at the table of Jesus Christ arise, for now shall very nights be fed. So they went thence, all save King Pellis and Eliasar his son, for which were holy men, and a maid which was his niece. And so these three fellows, and they three were there no more. And on they so nights all armed came in at the hall door, and did off their helms and their arms, and said unto Galahad, Sir, we have hid right much for to be with you at this table, where the holy meat shall be departed. Then said he, ye be welcome, but of whence be ye? So three of them said they were of Gaul, and other three said they were of Ireland, and the other three said they were of Denmark. So as they sat thus there came out a bed of tree of a chamber, the which four gentle women brought, and in the bed lay a good man sick, and a crown of gold upon his head, and there in the midst of the place they set him down, and went again their way. Then he lift up his head, and said, Galahad night, ye be welcome for much have I decide you're coming, for in such pain and in such anguish I have been long. But now I trust to God the term is come, that my pain shall be allied, that I shall pass out of this world, so as it was promised me long ago. Therewith a voice said, there be two among you that be not in the quest of the Sangreal, and therefore depart ye. Chapter 20 Then King Pelis and his son departed, and therewith all besiemed them that there came a man and four angels from heaven, clothed in likeness of a bishop, and had a cross in his hand, and these four angels bury him up in a chair, and set him down before the table of silver, whereupon the Sangreal was. And it seemed that he had, in midst of his forehead, letters the witch said, See ye here, Joseph, the first bishop of Christendom, the same which our Lord succored in the city of Saras, in the spiritual place. Then the knights marveled, for that bishop was dead more than three hundred years to four. O knights said he, Marvel not, for I was some time an earthly man, with that they heard the chamber door open, and there they saw angels, and two bare candles of wax, the third a towel, and the fourth a spear which bled marvelously, that three drops fell within a box which he held with his other hand. And they set the candles upon the table, and the third the towel upon the vessel, and the fourth the holy spear, even upright upon the vessel. And then the bishop made semblant, as though he would have gone to the sacred ring of the mass. And then he took an ugly which was made in likeness of bread, and at the lifting up there came a figure in likeness of a child, and the visage was as red and as bright as any fire, and smote himself into the bread, so that they all saw it, that the bread was formed of a fleshly man, and then he put it into the holy vessel again, and then he did that long to a priest to do a mass, and then he went to Galahad and kissed him, and bade him go and kiss his fellows, and so he did an arm. Now said he, servants of Jesus Christ, ye shall be fed before this table with sweet meats that never knights tasted, and when he had said he vanished away, and they set them at the table in great greed, and made their prayers. Then looked they, and so man come out of the holy vessel, that had all the signs the passion of Jesus Christ, bleeding all openly, and said, My knights, and my servants, and my true children, which become out of deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no longer hide me from you, but ye shall see now a part of my secrets and of my hidden things. Now hold and receive the high meat which ye have so much desired. Then took he himself the holy vessel, and came to Galahad, and he kneeled down, and there he received his savior, and after him so received all his fellows, and they thought it so sweet that it was marvellous to tell. Then said he to Galahad, Son, what is thou what I hold betwixt my hands? Nay, said he, but if ye will tell me, this is, said he, the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb on sheer Thursday. And now has thou seen that thou most desired to see, but yet hast thou not seen it so openly, as thou shall see it in the city of Saras, in the spiritual place. Therefore thou must go hence, and bear with thee this holy vessel. For this night it shall depart from the realm of Logris, that it shall never be seen more here. And what is thou wherefore? For he is not served nor worshiped to his right by them of this land, for they be turned to evil living. Therefore I shall deseret them of the honour which I have done them. And therefore go ye three tomorrow unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship ready, and with you take the sword with the strange girdles, and no more with you but surpersival and surbours. Also I will that ye take with thou of the blood of the spear, for to anoint the main king, both his legs and all his body, and he shall have his health. Sir, said Galad, why shall not these other fellows go with us? For this course, for right as I departed my apostles, one here and another there, so I will have that ye depart, and two of you shall die in my service, but one of you shall come again and tell tidings. Then gave he them his blessing, and vanished away. Chapter 21 And Galahad went anoint to the spear which lay upon the table, and touched the blood with his fingers, and came after to the main king and anointed his legs, and therewith he clothed him anoint and start upon his feet out of his bed as an whole man, and thanked our Lord that he had healed him, and that was not to the world ward, for an on he yielded him to place a religion of white monks, and was a full holy man. That same night, but midnight, came a voice among them which said, My sons, and not my chief sons, my friends, and not my warriors, go ye hence where ye hope best to do, and as I bade you. Ah, thank be thou, Lord, that thou wilt watch safe to call us, thy sinners. Now may we well prove that we have not lost our pains, and anon in all haste they took their tarnis and departed, but the three knights of Gaul, one of them Hyde Claudine, King Claude Assassin, and the other two were great gentlemen. Then prayed Galahad to every of them, that if they come to King Arthur's court, that they should salute my lord Sir Launcelot, my father, and all the fellowship of the round table, and prayed them if that they came on that part, that they should not forget it. Right so departed Galahad Percival and Bors with him, and so they rode three days, and then they came to Rivage, and found the ship whereof the tail speaketh up to four. And when they came to the board they found in the midst the table of silver, which they had left with the maimed king, and the sangriail, which was covered with red summit. Then were they glad to have such things in their fellowship, and so they entered and made great reverence thereto. And Galahad fell in his prayer a long time to our lord, that at what time he asked that he should pass out of this world. So much he prayed till a voice said to him, Galahad thou shalt have thy request, and when thou askest the death of thy body thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou find the life of the soul. Percival heard this, and prayed him a fellowship that was between them, to tell him wherefore he asked such things. That shall I tell you, said Galahad. The other day when we saw a part of the adventures of the sangriail, I was in such a joy of heart, that I trod never man was that was earthly. And therefore I what well, when my body is stead, my soul shall be in great joy to see the blessed trinity every day, and the majesty of our lord Jesus Christ. So long were they in the ship that they said to Galahad, Sir, in this bed ought ye to lie, for so set the scripture, and so he laid him down and slept a great while, and when he awaked he looked for him and saw the city of Saras. And as they would have landed they saw the ship where in Percival had put his sister in. Truly, said Percival, in the name of God, well hath my sister Holdenus covenant. Then took they out of the ship the table of silver, and he took it to Percival and to Bors to go to Four, and Galahad came behind. And right so they went to the city, and at the gate of the city they saw an old man crooked. Then Galahad called him and made him help to bear this heavy thing. Truly, said the old man, it is ten year ago that I might not go but with crutches. Care thou not, said Galahad, and arise up and show thy good will. And so he is said and found himself as whole as ever he was. Then ran he to the table, and took one part against Galahad, and anon arose their great noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole by night's marvellous that entered into the city. Then anon after the three nights went to the water, and brought up into the palace Percival's sister, and buried her stritly as a king's daughter ought to be. And when the king of the city, which was clipped estorhous, saw the fellowship, he asked them of whence they were, and what thing it was that they had brought upon the table of silver. And they told him the truth of the sangria, and the power which that God had sent there. Then the king was a tyrant, and was come of the line of panims, and took them and put them in prison in a deep hole. Chapter 22 But as soon as they were there, our Lord sent them the sangria through whose grace they were always fulfilled, while that they were in prison. So at the year's end it befell that this king estorhous lay sick, and felt that he should die. Then he sent for the three nights, and they came for him, and he cried the mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave it him goodly, and he died anon. When the king was dead, or the city was dismayed, and whist not who might be their king, right so as they were in council, there came a voice among them, and bade them choose the youngest night of them three to be their king. For he shall well maintain you and all yours. So they made Galahad king by all the assent of the holy city, and else they would have slain him. And when he was come to behold the land, he let make above the table of silver a chest of gold, and of precious stones, that he'll the holy vessel. And every day early the three fellows would come for it, and make their prayers. Now at the year's end, and the self-day after Galahad had borne the crown of gold, he rose up early and his fellows, and came to the palace, and sought to fore them the holy vessel, and a man kneeling on his knees in likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship of angels, as it had been Jesus Christ himself. And then he rose and began a mass of our Lady, and when he came to the sacrament of the mass, and had done a known he called Galahad, and said to him, Come forth the servant of Jesus Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast much desire to see. And then he began to tremble right hard, when the deadly flesh began to behold the spiritual things. Then he held up his hands toward heaven and said, Lord, I thank thee, for now I see that that hath been my desire many a day. Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live if it might please thee, Lord. And therewith the good man took our Lord's body between his hands, and profited to Galahad, and he receded right gladly and meekly. Now, what is thou what I am, said the good man. Nay, said Galahad, I am Joseph of Arimatay, the which our Lord hath sent here to thee, to bear thee fellowship. And what is thou wherefore he hath sent me more than any other? For thou hast resembled me in two things, in that thou hast seen the marvels of the Sangreal, in that thou hast been a clean maiden, as I have been, and am. And when he had said these words, Galahad went to Percival and kissed him, and commended him to God, and so he went to Ser Bors and kissed him, and commended him to God, and said, Fair Lord, salute me to my Lord, Ser Laun sloth my father, and as soon as you see him, bid him remember of this unstable world. And therewith he kneeled down to fore the table, and made his prayers. And then suddenly his soul departed to Jesus Christ, and a great multitude of angels bear his soul up to heaven, that the two fellows might well behold it. Also the two fellows saw come from heaven and hand, but they saw not the body, and then it came right to the vessel, and took it and the spear, and so bear it up to heaven. Siddhan was their never man so hardy to say that he had seen the Sangreal. Chapter 23 When Percival and Bors saw Galahad dead, they made as much sorrow as ever did to men, and if they had not been good men, they might likely have fallen in despair. And the people of the country and of the city were right heavy, and then he was buried, and as soon as he was buried, Ser Percival yielded him to an hermitage out of the city, and took a religious clothing. And Bors was always with him, but never changed he his secular clothing, for that he purposed him to go again into the realm of Logris. Thus a year and two months lived Ser Percival in the hermitage, a full holy life, and then passed out of this world, and Bors let bury him by his sister, and by Galahad in the spiritualities. When Bors saw that he was in so far countries as in the parts of Babylon, he departed from Saras, and armed him and came to the sea, and entered into a ship, and so it befell him in good adventure, he came into the realm of Logris, and he rode so fast till he came to Camelot, where the king was, and then was their great joy made of him in the court, for they weaned all he had been dead for as much as he had been so long out of the country, and when they had eaten, the king made great clerks to come for him, that they should chronicle of the hide adventures of the good knights. When Bors had told him of the adventures of the Sangreal, such as had befallen him and his three fellows, that was Launcelot, Percival, Galahad, and himself, there Launcelot told the adventures of the Sangreal that he had seen. All this was made in great books, and put up in Almaris at Salisbury, and a known Ser Bors said to Ser Launcelot, Galahad, your own son, saluted you by me, and after you king Arthur and all the court, and so did Ser Percival, for I buried them with my own hands in the city of Saras. Also, Ser Launcelot, Galahad prayed you to remember of this unsecured world, as ye behide him when ye were together more than half a year. This is true, said Launcelot. Now I trust to God his prayer shall avail me. Then Launcelot took Ser Bors in his arms and said, Gentle cousin ye are right welcome to me, and all that I ever may do for you and for yours, ye shall find my poor body ready at all times while the spirit is in it, and that I promise you faithfully and never to fail, and which ye well, gentle cousin, Ser Bors, that ye and I will never depart asunder whilst our lives may last. Ser said he, I will as ye will. Drown out of French into English, the which is a story chronicled for one of the truest and the holiest that is in this world, the which is the seventeenth book, and here follows the eighteenth book. End of book seventeen, chapters 18 to 23, read by Lars Rolander. Chapters one to five, book eighteen, volume two of Le Morte d'Arthur. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Read by Nathan at antipodeanwriter.wordpress.com. Le Morte d'Arthur. Volume two by Sir Thomas Mallory. Chapter one of the Joy King Arthur and the Queen had of the achievement of the Sangreel and how Lancelot fell to his old love again. So after the quest of the Sangreel was fulfilled and all nights that were left alive were come again unto the table round as the book of the Sangreel Maketh mentioned, then there was great joy in the court. And in a special King Arthur and Queen Guinevere made great joy of that remnant that were come home and passing glad was the King and the Queen of Sir Lancelot and of Sir Bors for they had been passing long away in the quest of the Sangreel. Then as the book saith, Sir Lancelot began to resort unto Queen Guinevere again and forget the promise and the perfection that he made in the quest for, as the book saith, had not Sir Lancelot been in his privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly to the Queen as he was in seeming outward to God, there had no night past him in the quest of the Sangreel, but ever his thoughts were privily on the Queen and so they loved together more hotter than they did to forehand and had such privy draughts together that many in the court spake of it and in a special Sir Agravain, Sir Guine's brother, for he was ever open mouthed. Sir Biffel, that Sir Lancelot had many resorts of ladies and damsels that daily resorted unto him, that besought him to be their champion, and in all such matters of right Sir Lancelot applied him daily to do for the pleasure of our Lord, Jesu Christ, and ever as much as he might he withdrew him from the company and fellowship of Queen Guinevere, for to astew the slander and noise wherefore the Queen waxed wroth with Sir Lancelot, and upon a day she called Sir Lancelot unto her chamber and said thus, Sir Lancelot, I see and feel daily that thy love beginneth to slake, for thou hast no joy to be in my presence, but ever thou art out of this court and quarrels and matters thou hast nowadays for ladies and gentle women more than ever thou wilt want to have a forehand. Ah, madame, said Lancelot, in this ye must hold me excused for diverse causes. One is, I was but late in the quest of the Sangreel, and I thank God of his great mercy, and never of my dessert, that I saw in that my quest as much as ever saw any sinful man, and so was it told me. And if I had not had my privy thoughts to return to your love again as I do, I had seen as great mysteries as ever saw my son Galahad, Uther Percival, or Cebuas, and therefore, madame, I was but late in that quest. Which ye well, madame, it may not be yet lightly forgotten the high service in whom I did my diligent labour. Also, madame, which ye well, that there may be many men speak of our love in this court, and have you and me greatly in await, as Sir Agrivene and Sir Mordred, and madame, which ye well, I dread them more for your sake than for any fear I have of them myself, for I may happen to escape and rid myself in a great need, where ye must abide all that will be said unto you. And then, if that ye fall in any distress through willful folly, then is there none other remedy or help but by me and my blood. And which ye well, madame, the boldness of you and me will bring us to great shame and slander, and that wormy loathe to see you dishonoured. And that is the cause I take upon me more for to do for damsels and maidens than ever I did to for, that men should understand my joy and my delight is my pleasure to have a do for damsels and maidens. Chapter 2. How the Queen commanded Sir Lancelot to avoid the court and of the sorrow that Lancelot made. All this while the Queen stood still and let Sir Lancelot say what he would, and when he had all said, she brushed out a weeping, and so she sobbed and wept a great while. And when she might speak, she said, Lancelot, now I well understand that thou art a false, requriant night, and a common lecture, and lovest and holdest other ladies, and by me thou hast to disdain and scorn, for which thou well, she said. Now I understand thy falsehood, and therefore shall I never love thee no more, and never be thou so hardy to come in my sight. And right here I discharge thee this court, that thou never come within it, and I forfend thee my fellowship, and upon pain of thy head, that thou see me no more. Right so, Sir Lancelot departed, with great heaviness, that uneath he might sustain himself for great dull-making. Then he called Sir Bors, Sir Ectedemaris, and Sir Lionel, and told them how the Queen had forfended him the court, and so he was in will to depart into his own country. Fair sir, said Sir Bors De Gannis, you shall not depart out of this land by mine advice. You must remember in what honour ye are renowned, and call the noblest night of the world. And many great matters ye have in hand, and women in their hastiness will do off times that sore repent at them, and therefore by mine advice you shall take your horse, and ride to the good hermitage here beside Windsor, that sometime was a good night. His name is Sir Brasius, and there shall he abide till I send you word of better tidings. Brother, said Sir Lancelot, which ye well I am full loath to depart out of this realm, but the Queen hath defended me so highly, that me seamoth she will never be my good lady, as she hath been. Say ye never so, said Sir Bors, for many times or this time she hath been wroth with you, and after it she was the first that repented it. Ye say well, said Lancelot, for now will I do by your counsel, and take mine horse and my harness, and ride to the hermit, Sir Brasius, and there will I repose me until I hear some manner of tidings from you. But, fair brother, I pray you get me the love of my lady, Sir Guinevere. And ye may, Sir, said Sir Bors, you need not to move me of such matters, for well ye what, I will do what I may to please you. And then the noble night, Sir Lancelot, departed with right heavy cheer suddenly, that none earthly creature wist of him, nor where he was become but Sir Bors. So when Sir Lancelot was departed, the Queen outward made no manner of sorrow in showing to none of his blood, nor to none other, but which ye well inwardly, as the book saith, she took great thought, but she buried out with a proud countenance as though she felt nothing nor danger. Chapter 3. How at a dinner that the Queen made there was a night in poisoned, which Sermador laid on the Queen? And then the Queen let make a privy dinner in London unto the nights of the round table, and all was fore to show outward that she had as great joy in all other nights of the table round as she had in Sir Lancelot. All only at that dinner she had Sir Guine and his brethren, that is fore to say Sir Agrivéne, Sir Gehéris, Sir Gareth and Sir Maudred. Also there was Sir Bors de Gannis, Sir Blamour de Gannis, Sir Bleobleris de Gannis, Sir Geliherd, Sir Gennie Hoden, Sir Héctor de Meris, Sir Lionel, Sir Palimides, Sir Freyre, his brother, Sir Lacot de Maltau, Sir Peissant, Sir Ironside, Sir Brandills, Sir Kaye de Sénéchal, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Patrice, a Knight of Ireland, Alidouk, Sir Astonmore, and Sir Penel de Sabage, the witch was cousin to Sir Lamaroc de Gallis, the good Knight that Sir Guine and his brethren slew by treason, and so these four and twenty knights should dine with the Queen in a privy place by themselves, and there was made a great feast of all manner of dainties. But Sir Guine had a custom that he used daily at dinner and at supper, that he loved well all manner of fruit, and in a special apples and pears, and therefore whomsoever dined or feasted Sir Guine would commonly purvey for good fruit for him, and so did the Queen for to please Sir Guine. She let purvey for him all manner of fruit, for Sir Guine was a passing hot knight of nature, and this panel hated Sir Guine because of his kinsmen, Sir Lamaroc de Gallis, and therefore for pure envy and hate Sir Penel empoisoned certain apples for to empoison Sir Guine, and so this was well unto the end of the meat, and so it befell by misfortune a good knight named Patrice, cousin unto Sir Madhuri Laporte, to take a poisoned apple, and when he had eaten it, he swelled so till he would breast, and there Sir Patrice fell down suddenly dead among them. Then every night leapt from the board ashamed, and arraged for wrath nigh out of their wits, for they whisked not what to say. Considering Queen Guinevere made the feast and dinner, they all had suspicion unto her. My Lady the Queen said, Guine, which ye well, Madam, that this dinner was made for me, for all folks that know my condition, understand that I love well fruit, and now I see well I had near been slain. Therefore, Madam, I dread me lest ye will be shamed. Then the Queen stood still, and was sore abashed, that she nist not what to say. This shall not so be ended, said Sir Madhuri Laporte. For here have I lost a full noble knight of my blood, and therefore upon this shame and despite, I will be revenged to the utterance. And there openly Sir Madhuri appealed the Queen of the death of his cousin Sir Patrice. Then stood they all still, that none would speak a word against him, for they all had great suspicion unto the Queen, because she let make that dinner. And the Queen was so abashed, that she could none other ways do, but wept so heartily, that she fell in a swoon. With this noise and cry came to them King Arthur, and when he wist of that trouble he was a passing heavy man. Chapter 4 Hal Sir Madhuri appeached the Queen of Treason, and there was no knight would fight for her at the first time. And ever Sir Madhuri stood still for the King, and ever he appealed the Queen of Treason, for the custom was such that time that all manner of shameful death was called treason. Fair Lords, said King Arthur, he repenteth of this trouble, but the case is so I may not have adieu in this matter, for I must be a rightful judge, and that repenteth me that I may not do battle for my wife, for as I deem this deed came never by her. And therefore, I suppose, she shall not be all disdained, but that some good night shall put his body in jeopardy for my Queen, rather than she shall be Brent in a wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir Madhuri, be not so hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless, and therefore desire thou thy day of battle, and she shall purvey her of some good night that shall answer you, or else it were to me great shame and to all my court. My gracious Lord, said Sir Madhuri, you must hold me excused, for though ye be our King in that degree, ye are but a knight as we are, and ye are sworn unto knighthood as well as we, and therefore I beseech you that ye be not displeased, for there is none of the four and twenty knights that were bidden to this dinner, but all they have great suspicion unto the Queen. What say ye all, my lords, said Sir Madhuri, then they answered, by and by, that they could not excuse the Queen, for why she made the dinner, and either it must come by her or by her servants. Alas, said the Queen, I made this dinner for a good intent, and never for none evil, so almighty God may help in my right, as I was never proposed to do such evil deeds, and that I report me unto God. My Lord the King, said Sir Madhuri, I require you, as ye be a righteous King, give me a day that I may have justice. Well said the King, I give the day this day fifteen days, that thou be ready armed on horseback in the meadow beside Westminster, and if it so fall that there be any night to encounter with you, there maced thou do the best, and God speed the right, and if it so fall that there be no night at that day, then must my Queen be burnt, and therefore she shall be ready to have her judgment. I am answered, said Sir Madhuri, and every night went where it liked them. So when the King and the Queen were together, the King asked the Queen how this case befell. The Queen answered, Sir God, may help I what not how or in what manner? Where is Sir Lancelot? said King Arthur, and he were here he would not grudge to do battle for you. Sir, said the Queen, I what not where he is, but his brother and his kinsmen deem that he be not within this realm. Let me repenteth, said King Arthur, for and he were here he would soon stint this strife, then I will counsel you, said the King, and unto Sir Boers, that ye we do battle for her, for Sir Lancelot's sake, and upon my life he will not refuse you. For well I see, said the King, that none of these four and twenty nights that were with you at your dinner, where Sir Patrice were slain, that will do battle for you, nor none of them will say well of you, and that shall be a great slander for you in this court. Alas, said the Queen, and I may not do with all, but now I miss Sir Lancelot, for and he were here he would put me soon to my heart's ease. What haileth you, said the King, he cannot keep Sir Lancelot upon your side, for wit ye well, said the King, who that hath Sir Lancelot upon his part hath the most man of worship in the world upon his side. Now go your way, said the King unto the Queen, and require Sir Boers to do battle for you, for Sir Lancelot's sake. Chapter 5 How the Queen required Sir Boers to fight for her, and how he granted upon condition, and how he warned Sir Lancelot thereof. So the Queen departed from the King and sent for Sir Boers into her chamber, and when he was come she besought him of succor. Madam, said he, what would ye that I did? For I may not with my worship have a do in this matter, because I was at the same dinner for dread that any of those nights would have me in suspicion. Also, Madam, said Sir Boers, now miss ye Sir Lancelot, for he would not have failed you, neither in right nor in wrong. As ye have well proved when ye have been in danger, and now ye have driven him out of this country, by whom ye and all we were daily worshiped by. Therefore, Madam, I marvel how ye dare for shame require me to do anything for you, in so much ye have chased him out of your country, by whom we were born up and honoured. Alas, fair Knight, said the Queen, I put me wholly in your grace, and all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me. And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees, and besought Sir Boers to have mercy upon her. For there I shall have a shameful death, and there too I had never offended. Right so came King Arthur, and found the Queen kneeling for Sir Boers. Then Sir Boers pulled her up and said, Madam, ye do me great dishonour. Ah, gentle Knight, said the King, have mercy upon my Queen, courteous Knight, for I am now in certain she is untruly defamed. And therefore, courteous Knight, said the King, promise her to do battle for her, I will require you for the love of Sir Lancelot. My Lord, said Sir Boers, ye require me the greatest thing that any man may require me, and witty well if I grant to do battle for the Queen, I shall roth many of my fellowship of the table round. But as for that, said Sir Boers, I will grant my Lord that for my Lord Sir Lancelot's sake, and for your sake I will at that day be the Queen's champion unless that there come by adventure a better Knight than I am to do battle for her. Will you promise me this, said the King, by your faith? Yes, sir, said Sir Boers, of that I will not fail you, nor her both, but if there come a better Knight than I am, and then shall he have the battle. Then was the King and the Queen passing glad, and so departed, and thanked him heartily. So then Sir Boers departed secretly upon a day, and rode unto Sir Lancelot, there as he was with the hermit, Sir Brasius, and told him of all their adventure. Ah, Jezu, said Sir Lancelot, this has come happily as I would have it, and therefore I pray you make you ready to do battle, but look that ye tarry till ye see me come, as long as ye may. For I am sure Medor is in hot night when he is enjaved, for the more ye suffer him the hastier will he be to battle. Sir, said Boers, let me deal with him, doubt ye not ye shall have all your will. Then departed Sir Boers from him, and came to the court again. Then was it noised in all the court that Sir Boers should do battle for the Queen, wherefore many knights were displeased with him, that he would take upon him to do battle in the Queen's quarrel, for there were but few knights in all the court that they deemed the Queen was in the wrong, and that she had done that treason. So Sir Boers answered thus to his fellows of the table round, which ye well, my fair lords, it were shame to us, all and we suffered, to see the most noble Queen of the world to be shamed openly, considering her Lord and our Lord is the man of most worship in the world, and most christened, and he hath ever worshiped us all in all places. Many answered him again, as for our most noble King Arthur, we love him and honour him as well as ye do, but as for Queen Guinevere, we love her not, because she is a destroyer of good knights. Fair lords, said Sir Boers, me see, meth ye see not, as ye should say, for never yet in my days knew I never nor heard say, that ever she was a destroyer of any good knight. But at all times, as far as ever I could know, she was a maintainer of good knights, and ever she hath been large and free of her goods to all good knights, and the most bounteous lady of her gifts and her good grace, that ever I saw or heard speak of. And therefore it was shame, said Sir Boers, to us all, to our most noble King's wife, and we suffered her to be shamefully slain. And which ye well, said Sir Boers, I will not suffer it, for I dare say so much, the Queen is not guilty of Sir Patrice's death, for she owed him never none ill will, or none of the four and twenty knights that were at the dinner. For I dare say for good love she bade us to dinner, and not for no male engine, and that I doubt not shall be proved hereafter, for how so ever the game goeth, there was treason among us. Then some said to Sir Boers, we may well believe your words, and so some of them were well pleased, and some were not so. End of Book 18, Chapters 1-5. Recorded by Nathan at antipodeanwriter.wordpress.com