 CHAPTERS 1 TO 7, BOOK 4, VOLUME 1, OF LEMORG DARTUCH 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. LEMORG DARTUCH, VOLUME 1, by Sir Thomas Mallory, BOOK 4, CHAPTERS 1 TO 7 CHAPTER 1. How Merlin was assorted and doted on one of the ladies of the lake, and how he was shot in a rock under a stone, and there died. So, after these quests of Ser Gavain, Sertor and King Pelinor, it fell so that Merlin fell in adotage on the damsel that King Pelinor brought to court, and she was one of the damsels of the lake, that height Nimue. But Merlin would let her have no rest, but always he would be with her, and ever she made Merlin good cheer till she had learned of him all manner thing that she decided. And he was assorted upon her, that he might not be from her. So on a time he told King Arter that he should not dure long, but for all his crowds he should be put in the earth quick. And so he told the king many things that should befall. But always he warned the king to keep well his sword and the scabbard, for he told him how the sword and the scabbard should be stolen by a woman from him, that he most trusted. Also he told King Arter that he should miss him, yet had ye leave her than all your lands to have me again. Ah, said the king, since you know of your adventure, for wave for it, and put away by your crafts that misadventure. Nay, said Merlin, it will not be, so he departed from the king. And within a while the damsel of the lake departed, and Merlin went with her ever more, where some ever she went. And oft times Merlin would have had her privily away by his subtle crowds. Then she made him to swear that he should never do none enchantment upon her, if he would have his will. And so he swore, so she and Merlin went over the sea unto the land of Benwick, where his king ban was king, that had great war against King Cloudos. And there Merlin spake with King Ban's wife, a fair lady and a good, and her name was Elaine, and there he saw Jang Lanselot. And there the queen made great sorrow for the mortal war that King Cloudos made on her lord and on her lands. Take none heaviness, said Merlin, for this same child within this twenty year shall revenge you on King Cloudos, that all Christendom shall speak of it. And this same child shall be the most man of worship of the world. And his first name is Galahad, that know I well, said Merlin. And since you have confirmed him Lanselot, that is truth, said the queen. His first name was Galahad. O Merlin, said the queen, shall I live to see my son such a man of prowess? Yeah, lady, on my peril you shall see it, and live many winters after. And so soon after the lady and Merlin departed, and by the way Merlin showed her many wonders, and came into Cornwall. And always Merlin lay about the lady to have her maidenhood, and she was ever passing weary of him, and feign would have been delivered of him, for she was afraid of him because he was a devil son, and she could not be shift him by no mean. And so on a time it happened that Merlin showed to her in a rock where as was a great wonder, and wrought by enchantment, that went under a great stone. So by her subtle working she made Merlin to go under that stone to let her wit of the marvels there, but she wrought so there for him that he came never out for all the craft he could do. And so she departed and left Merlin. Chapter 2 How five kings came into this land to war against King Arthur, and what council Arthur had against them. And as King Arthur rode to Camelot, and held there a great feast with mirth and joy, so soon after he returned unto Carwal, and there came unto Arthur new tidings, that the king of Denmark, and the king of Ireland, that was his brother, and the king of the Vale, and the king of Soleus, and the king of the Isle of Longtains. All these five kings, with great host, were entered into the land of King Arthur, and burned and slew clean for them, both cities and castles, that it was pity to hear. Alas said Arthur, yet had I never rest one month since I was crowned king of this island, now shall I never rest till I meet with those kings in a fair feat, that I make mine avow. For my true liege, people shall not be destroyed in my default. Go with me who will, and abide who that will. Then the king let writ unto King Pelinor, and prayed him in all haste to make him ready with such people as he might lightly strayer, and hide him after in all haste. All the barons were privily wroth, that the king would depart so suddenly, but the king by no mean would abide, but made writ unto them that were not there, and bade them hide after him, such as were not at that time in the court. Then the king came to Queen Gunnerware, and said, Lady, make you ready, for ye shall go with me, I may not long miss you. Ye shall cause me to be the more hardy, what adventure so befall me. I will not wit my lady to be in no jeopardy. Sir, said she, I am at your commandment, and shall be ready what time so ye be ready. So on the mourn the king and the queen departed with such fellowship as they had, and came into the north into a forest beside Humber, where lodged them. When the word and tidings came unto the five kings, above said that Arthur was beside Humber in a forest, there was a knight, brother unto one of the kings, that gave them this counsel. Ye know well that Sir Arthur has the flowered chivalry of the world with him, as it is proved by the great battle he did with the elven kings, and therefore hire unto him night and day, that we benign him. For the longer he tarries, the bigger he is, and we ever the weaker. And he is so courageous of himself that he's come to the field with little people, and therefore let us set upon him our day, and we shall slay down. Of his knights there shall none escape. Chapter 3 How King Arthur had a do with them, and overthrew them, and slew the five kings, and made the remnant to flee. Unto this counsel these five kings assented, and so they passed forth with their host through north Wales, and came upon Arthur by night, and set upon his host as the kings, and his knights were in their pavilions. King Arthur was unarmed, and had laid him to rest with his queen, Ganniver. Sir, said Sir Kay, it is not good we be unarmed. We shall have no need, said Sir Gavain, and Sir Grifflet, that lay in a little pavilion by the king. With that they heard great noise, and many cried, treason, treason. Alas, said King Arthur, we be betrayed. Unto arms, fellows, then he cried. So they were armed anon at all points. Then came there a wounded knight unto the king, and said, Sir, save yourself and my lady the queen, for our host is destroyed, and much people of ours slain. So anon the king and the queen, and the three knights took their horses, and rode toward Humber to pass over it. And the water was so rough, that they were afraid to pass over. Now may ye choose, said King Arthur, whether ye will abide and take the adventure on this side, for an ye be taken, they will slay you. It were me leavers, said the queen, to die in the water, than to fall in your enimous hands and there be slain. And as they stood so talking, Sir Kay saw the five kings coming on horseback by themselves alone, with their spears in their hands even toward them. Lo, said Sir Kay, yonder be the five kings. Let us go to them and match them. That were folly, said Sir Gavain, for we are but three, and they be five. That is truth, said Sir Grifflitt. No force, said Sir Kay. I will undertake for two of them, and then may ye three undertake for the other three. And there with all Sir Kay let his horse run as fast as he might, and struck one of them through the shield and the body as phathom, that the king fell to the earth stark dead. That saw Sir Gavain and run unto another king so hard that he smote him through the body. And there with all King Arthur ran to another and smote him through the body with a spear that he fell to the earth dead. Then Sir Grifflitt ran unto the fourth king and gave him such a fall that his neck break. And on Sir Kay run unto the fifth king and smote him so hard on the helm that the stroke clayed the helm and the head to the earth. That was well stricken, said his King Arthur, and worshipfully hast thou holden thy promise. Therefore I shall honour thee while that I live. And there with all they set the queen in a barge into humble, but always Queen Gunnevere praised Sir Kay for his deeds, and said, What lady that ye love, and she love you not again, she were greatly to blame. And among ladies said the queen, I shall bear you noble fame, for ye spake a great word, and fulfilled it worshipfully. And there with the queen departed. Then the king and the three knights rode into the forest, for there they supposed to hear of them that were escaped. And there he found the most part of his people and told them all how the five kings were dead, and therefore let us hold us together till it be day. And when their hosts have aspired that their chief-tains be slain, they will make such dole that they shall no more help themselves. And right so, as the king said, so it was. For when they found the five kings dead, they made such dole that they fell from their horses. There with all came King Arthur, but with a few people, and slew on the left hand and on the right hand, that well nigh there escaped no man, but all were slain to the number thirty thousand. And when the battle was all ended, the king kneeled down and thanked God meekly. And then he sent for the queen, and soon she was come, the great joy of the overcoming of that battle. Chapter 4 How the battle was finished or he came, and how King Arthur found in an abbey where the battle was. There with all came one to King Arthur and told him that King Pelinor was within three mile with a great host, and he said, go unto him and let him understand how we have sped. So within a while King Pelinor came with a great host and saluted the people and the king. And there was great joy made on every side. Then the king let search how many people of his party there was slain. And there were found but little past two hundred men slain and eight knights of the table round in their pavilions. Then the king let rear and devise in the same place where at the battle was done a fair abbey and endowed it with great livelihood and let it call the abbey of Labille Adventure. But when some of them came into their countries where of the five kings were kings and told them how they were slain there was made great dole. And all King Arthur's enemies as the kings of north Wales and the kings of the north when they wished of the battle they were passing heavy and so the king returned unto Camelot in haste. And when he was come to Camelot he called King Pelinor unto him and said ye understand well that we have lost eight knights of the best of the table round and by your advice we will choose eight again of the best we may find in this court. Sir said Pelinor I shall counsel you after my conceit the best. There are in your court full noble knights both of old and young and therefore by my advice you shall choose half of the old and half of the young. Which be the old said King Arthur. Sir said King Pelinor me seemed that King Uriens that has wedded your sister Morgan Le Fay and the king of the lake and Sir Hervis de Revelle a noble knight and Sir Gallagher's the fourth. This is well devised said King Arthur and right so shall it be. Now which are the four young knights said Arthur. Sir said Pelinor the first is Sir Gavain your nephew that is as good a knight of his time as any in this land and the second as me seem best is Sir Grifflet Le Fist de Dieu that is a good knight and full desires in arms and who may see him live he shall prove a good knight and the third as me seems is well to be one of the knights of the round table. Sir Kay the Seneschal for many times he has done full worship fully and now at your last battle he did full honourably for to undertake to slay two kings. By my head said Arthur he is best worth to be a knight of the round table of any that he have rehearsed and he had done no more prowess in his life days. Chapter 5 How Sir Thor was made knight of the round table and how Bagdemagus was displeased. Now said King Pelinor I shall put to you two knights and ye shall choose which is most worthy that is Sir Bagdemagus and Sir Thor my son but because Sir Thor is my son I may not praise him but else and he were not my son I dares say that of his age there is not in this land a better knight than he is nor of better conditions and loath to do any wrong and loath to take any wrong. By my head said Arthur he is a passing good knight as any ye spake of this day that what I will said the king for I have seen improved but he said little and he doth much more for I know none in all this court and he were as well born on his mother side as he is on your side that is like him of prowess and of might and therefore I will have him at this time so when they were chosen by the ascent of all the barons so were they found in their seeks every night's name that here are rehearsed and so where they set in their seeks where of Sir Bagdemagus was wonderfully wroth that Sir Thor was advanced for him and therefore suddenly he departed from the court and took his squire with him and rode long in a forest till they came to a cross and there alighted and said his prayers devoutly the meanwhile his squire found written upon the cross that Bagdemagus should never return unto the court again till he had won a night's body of the round table body for body so Sir said the squire here I find writing of you therefore I read you return again to the court that shall I never set Bagdemagus till men speak of me great worship and that I be worthy to be a night of the round table and so he rode forth and thereby the way he found a branch of an holy herb that was the sign of the sangria and no night found such tokens but he were a good liver so as Sir Bagdemagus rode to see many adventures it happened him to come to the rock whereas the middle of the lake had put Merlin under the stone and there he heard him make great dole whereof Sir Bagdemagus would have holpen him and went unto the great stone and it was so heavy that a hundred men might not lift it up when Merlin wished he was there he bade leave his labour for all was in vain for he might never be holpen but by her that put him there and so Bagdemagus departed and did many adventures and proved after a full good night and came again to the court and was made night of the round table so on the morn there fell new tidings and other adventures Chapter 6 How King Arthur King Orians and Sir Aquilon of Gaul chased in heart many adventures then it befell that Arthur and many of his knights rode a hunting into a great forest and it happened King Arthur King Orians and Sir Aquilon of Gaul followed a great heart for they three were well and so they chased so fast that within a while they three were ten miles from their fellowship and at the last they chased so sore that they slew their horses and asked them then were they all three on foot and ever they saw the heart before them passing weary and embushed what will we do said King Arthur we are heart bestowed let us go on foot said King Orians till we may meet with some lodging then were they were of the heart that lay on a great water bank and a brad shed biting on his throat and more other hounds came after then King Arthur blew the prize and died the heart then the king looked about the world and saw for him in a great water a little ship all apparel was silk down to the water and the ship came right unto them and landed on the sands then Arthur went to the bank and looked in and saw none earthly creature therein Sirs said the king come thens and let us see what is in this ship so they went in all three and found it richly be hanged with cloth of silk by then it was dark night and there suddenly were about them and hundred torches set upon all sides of the shipboards and it gave great light and there with all they came out twelve fair damsels and saluted King Arthur on their knees and called him by his name to come and such cheer as they had he should have of the best the king thanked them fair there with all they led the king and his two fellows into a fair chamber and there was a cloth laid richly be seen of all that longed unto a table and there were they served of all wines and meats that they could think of that the king had great marvel for he fared never better in his life as for one supper and so when they had subbed at their leisure King Arthur was led into chamber a richer be seen chamber so he never none and so was King Urines served and led into such another chamber and Sir Acolyne was led into the third chamber passing richly and well be seen and so they were laid in their beds easily and anon they fell asleep and slept marvelously sore all the night and on the morrow King Urines was in Camelot a bed in his wife's arms Morgan Le Fay and when he woke he had great marvel how he came there for on the eve of four he was two days journey from Camelot and when King Arthur awoke he found himself in a dark prison hearing about him many complaints awoke full nights Chapter 7 how Arthur took upon him to fight to be delivered out of prison and also for to deliver twenty nights that were in prison what are ye that so complain said King Arthur we be here twenty nights prisoners said they and some of us have lain here seven year and some more and some less for what cause said Arthur we shall tell you said the nights this lord of the castle his name is Sir Damas and he is the falsest night that liveth and full of treason and a very coward as any liveth and he have a younger brother a good night of prowess his name is Sir Oneslake and this traitor Damas the elder brother will give him no part of his livelihood but as Sir Oneslake keepeth thorough prowess of his hands and so he keepeth from him a full fair manner and a rich and therein Sir Oneslake dwelleth worshipfully and he is well beloved of all people and this Sir Damas our master is as evil beloved for he is without mercy and he is a coward and great war hath been bewitched them both but Oneslake hath ever the better and ever he proffereth Sir Damas to fight for the livelihood body for body but he will not do other else to find a night to fight for him unto that Sir Damas has granted to find a night but he is so evil beloved and hated that there is never a night will fight for him and when Damas saw this that there was never a night would fight for him he hath daily lain await with many nights with him and taken all the nights in this country to see and spy their adventures and brought them to his prison and so he took us separately as we rode on our adventures and many good nights have died in this prison for hunger to the number of 80 nights and if any of us all that here is or hath been would have fought with his brother Oneslake he would have delivered us but for because this Damas is so false and so full of treason we would never fight for him and we would die for it and we be so lean for hunger that uneath we may stand on our feet God deliver you for his mercy said Arthur and on there with all there came a Damasol unto Arthur and asked him what share I cannot say said he Sir said she and ye will fight for my lord ye shall be delivered out of prison and else he escaped never the life now said Arthur that is hard yet had I leave her to fight with a night than to die in prison with this said Arthur I may be delivered and all these prisoners I will do the battle Yes said the Damasol I am ready said Arthur and I had horse and armor ye shall lack none said the Damasol me Seymeth Damasol I should have seen you in the court of Arthur Ne said the Damasol I came never there I am the lord's daughter of this castle yet was she false for she was one of the Damasols of Morgan Le Fay and on she went unto Sir Damas and told him how he would do battle for him and so he sent for Arthur when he came he was well colored and well made of his limbs that all nights that so him said it were pity that such a night should die in prison so Sir Damas and he were agreed that he should fight for him upon his covenant that all other nights should be delivered and unto that was Sir Damas sworn unto Arthur and also to do the battle to the uttermost and with that all the twenty nights were brought out of the dark prison into the hall and delivered and so they all abode to see the battle end of book 4 chapters 1 to 7 of volume 1 of Le Mord d'Arctur by Sir Thomas Mallory read by Lorsch Rolander chapters 8 to 13 book 4 volume 1 of Le Mord d'Arctur 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 Tamara Hamilton Le Mord d'Arctur volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory book 4 chapters 8 to 13 chapter 8 now turn we unto Akelon of Gaul that when he awoke he found himself by a deep well side within half a foot in great peril of death and there came out of that fountain a pipe of silver and out of that pipe ran water all on high in a stone of marble when Sir Akelon saw this he blessed him and said Jesus save my Lord King Arthur and King Urian's for these damsels in this ship have betrayed us and if I may escape this misadventure I shall destroy all where I may find these false damsels that use enchantments right with that there came a dwarf with a great mouth and a flat nose and saluted Sir Akelon and said how he came from Queen Morgan Le Fay and she greeted you well and bideth you be of strong heart for ye shall fight tomorrow with a knight at the hour of prime and therefore she has sent you here Excalibur, Arthur's sword and the Scabber the battle to the uttermost without any mercy like as ye had promised her when ye spake together in privity and what damsel that bringeth her the knight's head which ye shall fight with all she will make her a queen now I understand you well said Akelon I shall hold that I have promised her now I have the sword when saw ye my Lady Queen Morgan Le Fay right late said the dwarf then Akelon took him in his arms and said recommend me unto my Lady Queen and tell her all shall be done I have promised her and else I will die for it now I suppose said Akelon she hath made all these crafts and enchantments for this battle ye may well believe it said the dwarf right so there came a knight and a lady with six squires and saluted Akelon and prayed him for to arise and come and rest him at his manor and so Akelon mounted upon a void horse and went with the knight unto a fair manor by a Priory and there he had passing good cheer then Sir Damas sent unto his brother Sir Ansleyke and bade make him ready by Timorn at the hour of prime and to be in the field to fight with a good knight for he had found a good knight that was ready to do battle at all points when this word came unto Sir Ansleyke he was passing heavy for he was wounded a little too far through both his thighs with a spear and made great dole but as he was wounded he would have taken the battle on hand so it happened at that time by the means of Morgan Le Fay with Sir Ansleyke lodged and when he heard of that battle and how Ansleyke was wounded he said that he would fight for him because Morgan Le Fay had sent him Excalibur and the sheath for to fight with the knight on the mourn this was the cause Sir Akelon took the battle on hand then Sir Ansleyke was passing glad and thanked Sir Akelon with all his heart that he would do so much for him and there with all Sir Ansleyke sent word unto his brother Sir Damas that he had a knight that for him should be ready in the field so on the mourn Sir Arthur was armed and well-horsed and asked Sir Damas when shall we to the field Sir said Sir Damas he shall hear Mass and so Arthur heard a Mass and when Mass was done there came a squire on a great horse and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready for our knight is ready in the field then Sir Arthur mounted upon horseback and there were all the knights in commons of that country and so by all advices there were chosen twelve good men of the country from the two knights and right as Arthur was on horseback there came a damsel from Morgan Lafay and brought unto Sir Arthur a sword like unto Excalibur and the Scabbard and said unto Arthur Morgan Lafay sendeth here your sword for great love and he thanked her and weaned it had been so but she was false for the sword in the Scabbard was counterfeit and brittle and false Chapter 9 and then they dressed them on both parties of the field and their horses run so fast that either smote other in the midst of the shield with their spearheads that both horse and man went to the earth and then they started up both and pulled out their swords the meanwhile that they were thus at battle came the damsel of the lake into the field that put Merlin under the stone and she came thither for the love of King Arthur for she knew how Morgan Lafay had so ordained that King Arthur should have been slain that day and therefore she came to save his life and so they went eagerly to the battle and gave many great strokes but always Arthur's sword bit not like Acolyne's sword but for the most part every stroke that Acolyne gave he wounded sore Arthur that it was marvel he stood and always his blood fell from him fast when Arthur beheld the ground so sore be blood he was dismayed and then he deemed treason that his sword was changed for his sword bit not steel as it was want to do he needed him sword to be dead for ever him seemed that the sword in Acolyne's hand was Excalibur for at every stroke that Acolyne struck he drew blood on Arthur now night said Acolyne unto Arthur keep thee well from me but Arthur answered not again and gave him such a buffet on the helm that it made him to stoop nigh falling down to the earth then Sir Acolyne withdrew him a little and came on with Excalibur on high and smote Sir Arthur in such a buffet to the earth then were they wroth both and gave each other many sore strokes but always Sir Arthur lost so much blood that it was marvel he stood on his feet but he was so full of knighthood that nightly he endured the pain and Sir Acolyne lost not a deal of blood therefore he waxed passing light and Sir Arthur was passing feeble and he weaned verily to have died but for all that he made countenance as though he might endure and help Acolyne as short as he might but Acolyne was so bold because of Excalibur that he waxed passing hardy but all men that beheld him said they saw never knight fight so well as did Arthur considering the blood that he bled so was all the people sorry for him but the two brethren would not accord then always they fought together as fierce knights and Sir Arthur withdrew him a little for to rest him and Sir Acolyne called him to battle and said it is no time for me to suffer and therewith he came fiercely upon Arthur and Sir Arthur was wroth for the blood that he had lost and smote Acolyne on high upon the helm so mightily that he made him nigh fall to the earth and therewith Arthur's sword brassed at the cross and fell on the grass among the blood and the pommel and the sure handles he held in his hands when Sir Arthur saw that he was in great fear to die but always he held up his shield and lost no ground nor baited no cheer Chapter 10 Then Sir Acolyne began with words of treason and said Knight thou art overcome and mayest not endure and also thou art weaponless and thou hast lost much of thy blood and I am full loath to slay thee therefore yield thee to me as Recreant Nay said Sir Arthur I may not so for I have promised to do the battle to the uttermost by the faith of my body while me lasteth the life and if it were possible for me to die a hundred times I had left for to die so oft then yield me to thee for though I lack weapon I shall lack no worship and if thou slay me weaponless that shall be thy shame well said Acolyne as for the shame I will not spare now keep thee from me for thou art but a dead man and therewith Acolyne gave him such a stroke that he fell nigh to the earth and would have had Arthur to have cried him mercy but Sir Arthur pressed unto Acolyne with his shield and gave him with the pommel in his hand such a buffet that he went three strides aback when the damsel of the lake beheld Arthur how full of prowess his body was and the false treason that was wrought for him to have had him slain she had great pity that so good a knight and such a man of worship should be so destroyed and at the next stroke Sir Acolyne struck him such a stroke that by the damsel's enchantment the sword Excalibur fell out of Acolyne's hand to the earth and therewith all Sir Arthur lightly leapt to it and got it in his hand and for with all he knew that it was his sword Excalibur and said thou hast been from me all too long and much damage hast thou done me and therewith he aspired the scabbard hanging by his side and suddenly he stirred to him and pulled the scabbard from him and threw it from him as far as he might throw it O Knights! said Arthur this day hast thou done me great damage with this sword now are ye come unto your death for I shall not warrant you but ye shall as well be rewarded with this sword or ever we depart as thou hast rewarded me for much pain have ye made me to endure and much blood have I lost and therewith Sir Arthur rushed on him with all his might and pulled him to the earth and then rushed off his helm and gave him such a buffet on the head that the blood came out his ears, his nose and his mouth now I will slay thee said Arthur slay me ye may well said Acolyne and it please you for ye are the best night ever I found and I see well that God is with you but for I promise to do this battle said Acolyne to the uttermost and never to be recreate while I lived therefore shall I never yield me with my mouth but God do with my body what he will then Sir Arthur remembered him and thought he should have seen this night now tell me said Arthur or I will slay thee of what country art thou and of what court Sir Knight said Sir Acolyne I am of the court of King Arthur Acolyne of Gaul then was Arthur more dismayed than he was beforehand for then he remembered him of his sister Morgan Le Fay and of the enchantment of the ship oh Sir Knight said he I pray you tell me who gave you this sword and by whom ye had it Chapter 11 then Sir Acolyne be thought him and said woe worth this sword for by it I have got my death it may well be said the King now Sir said Acolyne I will tell you this sword had been in my keeping the most part of this twelve month and Morgan Le Fay, King Urian's wife sent it me yesterday by a dwarf to this intent that I should slay King Arthur her brother for ye shall understand King Arthur is the man in the world that she most hate it because he is most of worship and of prowess of any of her blood also she loveth me out of measure as paramour and I her again and if she might bring about to slay Arthur by her crafts she would slay her husband King Urian's lightly and then had she me devised to be King in this land and so to reign and she to be my queen but that is now done said Acolyne for I am sure of my death well said Sir Arthur I feel by you ye would have been King in this land it had been great damage to have destroyed your lord said Arthur it is truth said Acolyne but now I have told you truth wherefore I pray you tell me of whence ye are and of what court oh Acolyne said King Arthur now I let thee wit that I am King Arthur to whom thou hast done great damage when Acolyne heard that he cried aloud fair sweet lord have mercy on me for I knew not you oh Sir Acolyne said King Arthur mercy shall thou have because I feel by thy words at this time thou newest not my person but I understand well by thy words that thou hast agreed to the death of my person and therefore thou art a traitor but I wight thee the less for my sister Morgan Lafay by her false crafts made thee to agree and consent to her false lusts but I shall be sore avenged upon her and I live that all Christendom shall speak of it God knoweth I have honored her and worshiped her more than all my kin and more have I trusted her than my own wife and all my kin after then Sir Arthur called the keepers of the field and said Sirs come hither for here are we two knights that have fought into a great damage unto us both each one of us to have slain other if it had have so and had any of us known other here had been no battle nor stroke stricken then all allowed cried Acolyne unto all the knights and men that were then there gathered together and said to them in this manner O lords this noble knight that I have fought with all the witch me sore repenteth is the most man of prowess of manhood and of worship in the world for it is himself King Arthur our alter-league lord with mishappen with misadventure have I done this battle with the king and lord that I am holding with all CHAPTER XII then all the people fell down on their knees and cried King Arthur Mercy Mercy shall ye have said Arthur here may ye see what adventures befall off time of errant knights how that I have fought with a knight of mine own unto my great damage and his both but sirs because I am sore hurt and he both and I had great need to be twix you two brethren as to thee sir Demass for whom I have been champion and won the field of this knight yet I will judge because ye sir Demass are called an orgulous knight and full of villainy and not worth of prowess your deeds therefore I will that ye give unto your brother all the whole manner with the appurtenance under this form that sir Anslake hold the manner of you and yearly to give you a palfre to ride upon for that will become you better to ride on than upon a coarser also I charge thee sir Demass upon pain of death that thou never distress no knights errant that ride on their adventure and also that thou restore these twenty knights that thou has long kept prisoners of all their harness that they be content for and if any of them come to my courting a plane of thee by my head thou shall die therefore also sir Anslake as to you because ye are named a good knight and full of prowess and true and gentle in all your deeds this shall be your charge I will give you that in all goodly haste ye come unto me in my court and ye shall be a knight of mine and if your deeds be thereafter I shall so prefer you by the grace of God that ye shall in short time be in ease for to live as worshipfully as your brother sir Demass God thank your largeness of your goodness and of your bounty I shall be from henceforward at all times at your commandment for sir said sir Anslake as God would as I was hurt but late with an adventurous knight through both my thighs that grieved me sore and else had I done this battle with you God would said Arthur it had been so for then had not I been hurt as I am I shall tell you the cause why for I had not been hurt as I am had it not been my own sword that was stolen for me by treason and this battle was ordained a forehand to have slain me and so it was brought to the purpose by false treason and by false enchantment alas said sir Anslake that is great pity that ever so noble a man as Yair of your deeds and prowess that any man or woman might find in their hearts to work any treason against you I shall reward them said Arthur in short time by the grace of God now tell me said Arthur how far am I from Camelot sir Yair two days journey there from I would feign be at some place of worship said sir Arthur that I might rest me sir said sir Anslake hereby is a rich abbey of your elder's foundation of nuns but three miles hence king took his leave of all the people and mounted upon horseback and sir Akelon with him and when they were come to the abbey he let fetch leeches and search his wounds and Akelon's both but sir Akelon died within four days for he had blood so much blood that he might not live but king Arthur was well recovered so when Akelon was dead he let send him on a horse beer with six knights unto Camelot and said bear him to my sister I have my sword Excalibur and the Scabbard so they departed with the body CHAPTER XIII the meanwhile Morgan Lafay had weaned king Arthur had been dead so on a day she aspired king Ureens lay in his bed sleeping then she called unto her a maiden of her council and said go fetch me my lord's sword for I saw never better time to slay him than now oh madam said the damsel and ye slay my lord ye can never escape you said Morgan Lafay for now I see my time in the witchet is best to do it and therefore hide thee fast and fetch me the sword then the damsel departed and found sir Uain sleeping upon a bed in another chamber so she went unto sir Uain and awaked him and bade him arise and wade on my lady or mother for she will slay the king your father sleeping in his bed for I go to fetch his sword well said sir Uain go on your way and let me deal Anon the damsel brought Morgan the sword in her waking hands and she lightly took the sword and pulled it out and went boldly unto the bedside and awaited how and where she might slay him best and as she lifted up the sword to smite sir Uain leapt unto his mother and caught her by the hand and said ah fiend what wilt thou do and thou wert not my mother with this sword I should smite off thy head ah said sir Uain men sayeth that Merlin was begotten of a devil but I may say an earthly devil bear me I was tempted with a devil wherefore I cry thee mercy I will never more do so and save my worship and discover me not Anon this covenant said sir Uain I will forgive you so you will never be about to do such deeds nay son said she and that I make you assurance End of Book 4 Chapters 8-13 Chapters 14-18 Book 4 Volume 1 Le Morte d'Auteur 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 Janice in Georgia Le Morte d'Auteur Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory Book 4 Chapters 14-18 Chapter 14 How Queen Morgan Le Fay made great sorrow for the death of Acolyne and how she stole away the scabbard from Arthur Then came tidings unto Morgan Le Fay that Acolyne was dead and his body brought unto the church and how King Arthur had his sword again But when Queen Morgan knew that Acolyne was dead she was so sorrowful that near her heart to brassed But because she would not it were known outward she kept her countenance and made no semblance of sorrow But well she whisked and she abode till her brother Arthur came thither there should no gold go for her life Then went she unto Queen Guinevere and asked her leave to ride into the country He may abide said Queen Guinevere till your brother the king come home I may not said Morgan Le Fay for I have such hasty tidings that I may not tarry Well said Guinevere you may depart when you will So early on the morn or it was day she took her horse that day and most part of the night and on the morn by noon she came to the same abbey of nuns whereas lay King Arthur and she knowing he was there she asked where he was and they answered how he had laid him in his bed to sleep for he had had but little rest these three nights Well said she I charge you that none of you and then she alighted off her horse and thought for to steal away Excalibur his sword and so she went straight into his chamber and no man disobeyed her commandment and there she found Arthur asleep in his bed and Excalibur in his right hand naked when she saw that she was passing heavy that she might not come by the sword and she had waked him and then she whisked well she had been dead then she took the scabbard and went her way on horseback when the king awoke and missed his scabbard he was wroth and he asked who had been there and they said his sister Queen Morgan had been there and had put the scabbard under her mantle and was gone and said they all we durst not disobey your sister's commandment ah said the king let fetch the best horse may be found and bid sir on slake arm him in all haste and take another good horse and ride with me so anon the king and on slake were well armed and rode after this lady and so they came and they asked the poor man if there came any lady riding that way sir said this poor man right late came a lady riding with the forty horses and to yonder forest she rode then they spurred their horses and followed fast and within a while arthur had a sight of morgan lefay then he chased as fast as he might when she aspired him following her she rode a greater pace through the forest till she came to a plain and when she saw she might not escape she rode unto a lake thereby and said whatsoever come of me my brother shall not have the scabbard and then she let throw the scabbard into the deepest of the water so it sank for it was heavy of gold and precious stones then she rode into a valley where many great stones were and when she saw she must be overtaken she shaped herself horse and man by enchantment unto a great marble stone anon with all came sir arthur and sir on slake whereas the king might know his sister and her men and one night from another ah said the king here may ye see the vengeance of god and now am I sorry that this misadventure is befallen and then he looked for the scabbard but it would not be found so he returned to the abbey where he came from so when arthur was gone she turned all into the likeliness as she and they were before and said sirs now may we go where we will chapter 15 how morgan lafay saved the night that should have been drowned and how king arthur returned home again then said morgan saw ye arthur my brother ye said her knights write well and that ye should have found and we might have stirred from one stead for by his army vestal countenance he would have caused us to have fled I believe you said morgan anon after as she rode she met a knight leading another knight on his horse before him bound hand and foot blindfold to have drowned him in a fountain when she saw this knight so bound she asked him what will you do with that knight on him for what cause she asked for I found him with my wife and she shall have the same death anon that were pity said morgan lafay now what say ye knight is it truth that he said of you she said to the knight that should be drowned nay truly madam he sayeth not right on me of whence be ye said morgan lafay and of what country I am of the court of king arthur and my name is manasin cousin unto acalaan of gall ye say well said she and for the love of him ye shall be delivered and ye shall have your adversary in the same case ye be in so manasin was loosed and the other knight bound anon manasin unarmed him unarmed himself in his harness and so mounted on horseback and the night before him and so threw him into a fountain and drowned him and then he rode unto morgan again and asked if she would anything unto king arthur tell him that I rescued thee not for the love of him but for the love of acalaan and tell him I fear him that while I can make me and them that be with me in likeness of stones and let him wit I can do much more when I see my time and so she departed into the country of gore and there she was richly received and made her castles and towns passing strong for always she dreaded much king arthur when the king had well rested him at the abbey he rode unto camelot and found his queen and his barons right glad of his coming and when they heard of his strange adventures as isaphore rehearsed then all had marvel of the falsehood of morgan lafay many knights wished her burnt then came manasin to court and told the king of his adventure well said the king the kind sister I shall so be avenged on her and I live that all chrissendom shall speak of it so on the morn there came a damasel from morgan to the king and she brought with her the richest mantle that ever was seen in that court for it was set as full of precious stones as one might stand by another and they were the richest that ever saw and the damasel said your sister sendeth you this mantle and desireth that ye should take this gift of her and in what thing she hath offended you she will amend it at your own pleasure when the king beheld this mantle it pleased him much but he said but little chapter 16 damasel of the lake saved king arthur from mantle that should have burned him with that came the damasel of the lake unto the king and said sir I must speak with you in privity say on said the king what ye will sir said the damasel put not on you this mantle till ye have seen more and in no wise let it not come on you and no night of yours till ye command the bringer thereof to put it upon her well said king arthur it shall be done as she counseled me and then he said unto the damasel that came from his sister damasel this mantle that ye have brought me I will see it upon you sir she said it will not beseem me to wear a king's garment said arthur ye shall wear it or it come on my back or any mans that here is and so the king made it to be put upon her and forthwith all she fell down dead and never more spake word after and burnt to coals then was the king wonderly wroth more than he was to forehand and said unto king urians mister your wife is all way about to betray me and well I wot either ye or my nephew your son is of counsel with her to have me destroyed but as for you said the king to king urians I deem not greatly that he be of her counsel for acalon confessed to me by his own mouth that she would have destroyed you as well as me I told you excused but as for your son sir uwane I hold him suspect therefore I charge you put him out of my court so sir uwane was discharged and when sir gawain wist that he made him ready to go with him and said who so banisheth my cousin germane shall banish me he departed and rode into a great forest and so they came to an abbey of monks and there were well lodged but when the king wist that sir gawain was departed from the court there was made great sorrow among all the estates now said gawain's brother we have lost two good knights for the love of one so on the mourn they heard their masses in the abbey and so they rode forth till that they came to a great forest then was sir gawain where in a valley of a turret of twelve fair damizels and two knights armed on great horses and the damizels went to and fro by a tree and then was sir gawain where how there hung a white shield on that tree the damizels came by it they spit upon it and some threw mire upon the shield chapter 17 how sir gawain and sir wain met with twelve fair damizels and how they complained on sir marhouse then sir gawain and sir wain went and saluted them and ask why they did that despite to the shield sir said the damizels we shall tell you there is a knight in this country that owneth this white shield and he is a passing good man of his hands but he hateeth all ladies and gentle women and therefore we do all this despite to the shield I shall say you said sir gawain it beceemeth evil a good knight to despise all ladies and gentle women and peradventure though he hate you he hath some certain cause and peradventure he loveth in some other places ladies and gentle women and to be loved again and he be such a man of prowess as ye speak of now what is his name sir said they his name is marhouse the king son of Ireland I know him well said sir he is a passing good knight as any is alive for I saw him once proved at a jousts where many knights were gathered and that time there might no man withstand him ah said sir gawain damizels me thinketh ye are to blame for it is to suppose that he hung that shield there he will not be long there from and then may those knights watch him on horseback and that is more your worship than thus for I will abide no longer to see a knight's shield dishonored and therewith sir uain and gawain departed a little from them and then were they where where sir marhouse came riding on a great horse straight toward them and when the twelve damizels saw sir marhouse drew the turret as they were wild so that some of them fell by the way then the one of the knights on the tower dressed his shield and said on high sir marhouse defend thee and so they ran together that the knight break his spear on marhouse and marhouse smote him so hard that he break his neck in the horse's back that saw the other knight and dressed him toward marhouse and they met so eagerly together that the knight of the turret was soon smitten down horse and man stark dead chapter eighteen how sir marhouse jousted with sir gawain and sir uain and overthrew them both and then sir marhouse rode unto his shield and saw how it was defiled of this despite I am a part avenged but for her love that gave me this white shield I shall wear thee and hang mine where thou wast and so he hanged it about his neck then rode he straight unto sir gawain and to sir uain and asked them what they did there they answered him that they came from king Arthur's court to see adventures well said sir marhouse here am I ready an adventurous knight that will fulfill any adventure that ye will desire and so departed from them to fetch his range let him go said sir uain unto sir gawain for he is a passing good knight as any is living I would not by my will that any of us were matched with him ye said sir gawain not so it were shame to us were he not assayed were he never so good a knight well said sir uain I will assay him before you for I am more weaker than ye and if he smite me down then may ye revenge me so these two knights came together with great rondon that sir uain smote sir marhouse that his spear brassed in pieces on the shield and sir marhouse smote him so sore that horse and man he bear to the earth and hurt sir uain on the left side then sir marhouse turned his horse and rode toward gawain with his spear and when sir gawain saw that he dressed his shield and they have entered their spears and they came together with all the might of their horses that either knight smote others so hard in the midst of their shields but sir gawain spear break but sir marhouse spear held and therewith sir gawain and his horse rushed down to the earth and lightly sir gawain rose on his feet and pulled out his sword and dressed him toward sir marhouse on foot and sir marhouse saw that and pulled out his sword and began to come to sir gawain on horseback sir knight said sir gawain a light on foot or else I will slay thy horse grand mercy said sir marhouse of your gentleness ye teach me courtesy for it is not for one knight to be on foot and the other on horseback and therewith sir marhouse set his spear against the tree and alighted and tied his horse to a tree and dressed his shield and either came unto other eagerly and smote together with their swords that their shields flew in cantils and they bruised their helms and their hall birks and wounded each other but sir gawain from it past nine o'clock waxed ever stronger and stronger for then it came to the hour of noon and thrice his might was increased all this aspired sir marhouse and had great wonder how his might increased and so they wounded other passing sore and when it was past noon and when it drew toward even song sir gawain strength feebled and waxed passing faint that a nests he might endure any longer and sir marhouse was then bigger and bigger sir knight said sir marhouse I have well felt that ye are a passing good knight and a marvelous man of might as ever I felt any while at last death and our quarrels are not great and therefore it were pity to do you hurt for I feel ye are passing feeble ah said sir gawain gentle knight ye say the word that I should say and therewith they took off their helms and either kissed other and there they swore together either to love other as brethren and sir marhouse prayed sir gawain to lodge with him that night and so they took their horses and rode toward sir marhouse's house and as they rode by the way sir knight said sir gawain I have marvel that so valiant a man as ye be love no ladies nor damazels sir said sir marhouse they named me wrongfully those that give me that name but well I wanted be the damazels of the turret that so name me and others such as they be now shall I tell you cause I hate them for they be sorceresses and enchanters many of them and be a knight never so good of his body and full of prowess as a man may be they will make him a stark coward to have the better of him and this is the principle cause that I hate them and to all good ladies and gentle women I owe my service as a knight ought to do as the book rehearseth in French there were many knights that overmatched sir gawain for all the thrice might that he had sir Lancelot de Lac sir Tristram sir Bois de Gannis sir Percival sir Pelias and sir Marhouse these six knights had the better of sir gawain then within a little while they came to sir Marhouse's place which was in a little priory and there they alighted and ladies and Damazels unarmed them and hastily looked to their hurts for they were all three hurt and so they had all three good lodging with sir Marhouse and good cheer for when he wist that they were king Arthur's sister's sons he made them all the cheer that lay in there a sin night and were well eased of their wounds and at the last departed now said sir Marhouse we will not depart so lightly for I will bring you through the forest and rode day by day well a seven days or they found any adventure at the last they came into a great forest that was named the country and forest of Arroy and the country of strange adventures in this country said sir Marhouse came never night since it was christened but he found strange adventures and so they rode and came into a deep valley full of stones and thereby they saw a fair stream of water above thereby was the head of the stream a fair fountain and three Damazels sitting thereby they rode to them and either saluted other and the eldest had a garland of gold about her head and she was three score winter of age or more and her hair was white under the garland the second Damazel was of 30 winter of age with a circlet of gold about her head the third Damazel was but 15 year of age and a garland of flowers about her head when these knights had so beheld them they asked them the cause why they sat at that fountain we be here said the Damazels for this cause if we may see any errant knights to teach them unto strange adventures and ye be three knights that seek adventures and we be three Damazels therefore each one of you must choose one of us and when ye have done so we will lead you unto three highways and there each of you shall choose away and his Damazel with him and this day 12 month ye must meet here again and God send you your lives and there too ye must plight your troth this is well said said Sir Marhouse in the book 4 chapters 14 through 18 chapters 19 through 22 book 4 volume 1 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 Ellen Wright Le Morte d'Arthur volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory book 4 chapters 19 through 22 chapter 19 how Sir Marhouse, Sir Gawain and Sir Gawain met three Damazels and each of them took one now shall every each of us choose a Damazel I shall tell you said Sir Gawain I am the youngest and most weakest of you both therefore I will have the eldest Damazel for she has seen much and can best help me when I have need for I have most need of help of you both now said Sir Marhouse I will have the Damazel of 30 winter age for she falleth best to me well said Sir Gawain I thank you for you have left me the youngest and the fairest and she is most lefist to me then every Damazel took her night by the reins of his bridle and brought him to the three ways and there was their oath made to meet at the fountain that day twelve month and they were living and so they kissed and departed and each night set his lady behind him and Sir Gawain took the way that lay west and Sir Marhouse took the way that lay south and Sir Gawain took the way that lay north now will we begin at Sir Gawain that held that way till that he came onto a fair manner where he dwelled an old night and a good householder and there Sir Gawain asked the night if he knew any adventures in that country I shall show you some to mourn said the old night and that marvellous so on the mourn they rode into the forest of adventures to a laund and thereby they found a cross and as they stood and hoved there came by them the fairest night and the seamless man that ever they saw making the greatest doll that ever man made and then he was aware of Sir Gawain and saluted him and prayed God to send him much worship as to that said Sir Gawain, Gramercy also I pray to God that he send you on around worship ah said the night I may lay that aside for sorrow and shame cometh to me after worship Chapter 20 How a night and a dwarf strove for a lady and therewith he passed unto the one side of the laund and on the other side saw Sir Gawain ten nights that hoved still and made them ready with their shields and spears against that one night that came by Sir Gawain then this one night ventured a great spear and one of the ten nights encountered with him but this woeful night smote him so hard that he fell over his horse's tail so the same dolerous night served them all that at the least way he smote down horse and man with one spear and so when they were all ten on foot they went to that one night and he stood stone still and suffered them to pull him down off his horse and bound him hand and foot and tied him under the horse's belly and so led him with them oh Yezu said Sir Gawain this is a doleful sight to see the yonder night so to be entreated and it seameth by the night that he suffered them to bind him so for he maketh no resistance for when he would they all were too weak so to do him Sir said the damsel into Sir Gawain me seameth it were your worship to help that dolerous night for me thinketh he is one of the best nights that ever I saw I would do for him said Sir Gawain but at seameth he will have no help then said the damsel me thinketh he have no lust to help him thus as they talked they saw a night on the other side of the lawn all armed save the head and on the other side there came a dwarf on horseback all armed save the head with a great mouth and a short nose and when the dwarf came nigh he said where is the lady should meet us here and therewith all she came forth out of the wood and then they began to strive for the lady for the night said he would have her and the dwarf said he would have her will we do well said the dwarf yonder is the night at the cross let us put it both upon him and as he deemeth so shall it be I will well said the night and so they went all three unto Sir Gawain and told him wherefore they strove well sirs said he will ye put the matter in my hand yea they said both no damsel said Sir Gawain ye shall stand betwixt them both and whether ye list better to go to he shall have you and when she was set between them both she left the night and went to the dwarf and the dwarf took her and went his way singing and the night went his way with great mourning then came their two nights all armed and cried on high Sir Gawain night of King Arthur's make thee ready in all haste and joust with me so they ran together that either fell down and then on foot they drew their swords and did full actually then meanwhile the other night went to the damsel and asked her why she abode with that night and if you would abide with me I will be your faithful night and with you will I be said the damsel for with Sir Gawain I may not find in mine heart to be with him for now here was one night discomforted ten nights and at the last he was cowardly led away and therefore let us go whilst they fight and Sir Gawain fought with that other night long but at the last they accorded both and then the night prayed Sir Gawain to lodge with him that night so as Sir Gawain went with this night he asked him what night is he in this country that smoked down the ten nights for when he had done so manfully he suffered them to bind him hand and foot and so led him away Ah! said the night that is the best night I try in the world and the most man of prowess and he has been served so as he was even more than ten times and his name heights herpelius and he loveth a great lady in this country and her name is Etard and so when he loved her there was cried in this country a great joust's three days and all the nights of this country were there and gentle women and who that proved him the best night should have a passing good sword in a circlet of gold and the circlet the night should give it to the fairest lady that was at the joust's and this night Sir Pelius was the best night that there was and there were five hundred nights but there was never man that ever Sir Pelius met with all but he struck him down or else from his horse and every day of three days he struck down twenty nights therefore they gave him the prize and fourth with all he went there the lady Etard was and gave her the circlet and said openly she was the fairest lady that there was and that would he prove upon any night that would say nay Chapter 21 How King Pelius suffered himself to be taken prisoner because he would have a sight of his lady and how Sir Gawain promised him to get to him the love of his lady and so he chose her for a sovereign lady and never to love other but her but she was so proud that she had scorn of him and said that she would never love him though he would die for her wherefore all ladies and gentle women had scorn of her that she was so proud for there were fairer than she and there was none that was there but and Sir Pelius would have proffered them love that would have loved him for his noble prowess and so this night promised the lady Etard to follow her into this country and never to leave her till she loved him and thus he is here at the most part nigh her and lodged by a priory every week she sendeth knights to fight with him and when he hath put them to the worse then will he suffer them willfully to take him prisoner because he would have a sight of this lady and always she doth him great despite for sometimes she maketh her knights to tie him to his horse's tail and some to bind him under the horse's belly thus in the most shamefulest ways that she can think he has brought to her and all she doth it for to cause him to leave this country and to leave his loving this cannot make him to leave for and he would have fought on foot he might have had the better of the ten knights as well on foot as on horseback alas said Sir Gawain it is great pity of him and after this night I will seek him tomorrow in this forest to do him all the help I can so on the mourn Sir Gawain took his leave of his host Sir Cardos and rode into the forest and at the last he met with Sir Pelius making great moan out of measure so each of them saluted other and asked him why he made such sorrow and as it is above rehearsed Sir Pelius told Sir Gawain but always I suffer her knights to fare so with me as you saw yesterday entrust at the last to win her love for she knoweth well all her knights should not lightly win me and me list to fight with them to the uttermost wherefore and I loved her not so sore I had leave her die and hundred times and I might die so oft rather than I would suffer that despite but I trust she will have pity upon me at the last for love causeth many a good night to suffer to have his intent but alas I am unfortunate and therewith he made so great dole and sorrow that anethi he might hold him on horseback now Sir Gawain leave your mourning and I shall promise you by the faith of my body to do all that lieth in my power to get you the love of your lady and there to I will plight you my troth tell me I pray you my good friend and then Sir Gawain said I am of the court of King Arthur and his sister's son and King Lot of Orkney was my father and my name is Sir Gawain and then he said my name is Sir Pelius born on the aisles and of many aisles I am lord and never have I loved lady nor damsel till now in an unhappy time and Sir Knight since ye are so nigh cousin unto King Arthur and a King's son for I may never come by her but by some good night for she is in a strong castle here fast by within this four mile and over all this country she is lady of and so I may never come to her presence but as I suffer her nights to take me and but if I did so that I might have a sight of her I had been dead long or this time and yet fair word had I never of her but when I am brought for her she rebuketh me in the foulest manner and then they take my horse and harness and put me out of the gates and she will not suffer me to eat nor drink and always I offer me to be her prisoner but that she will not suffer me for I would desire no more what pain so ever I had so that I might have a sight of her daily well said Sir Gawain all this shall I amend and ye will do as I shall devise I will have your horse and your armour and so will I ride under her castle and tell her that I have slain you to cause her to cherish me and then I shall do my true part that ye shall not fail to have the love of her Chapter 22 How Sir Gawain came to the Lady Atard and how Sir Pelius found them sleeping and therewith Sir Gawain plight his troth unto Sir Pelius to be true and faithful unto him so each one plight their troth to other and so they changed horses and harness and Sir Gawain departed and came to the castle where I stood the pavilions of this lady without the gate and as soon as Atard had despised Sir Gawain she fled in toward the castle Sir Gawain spake on high and bade her abide for he was not Sir Pelius I am another knight that have slain Sir Pelius do off your helm said the lady Atard that I might see her visage and so when she saw that it was not Sir Pelius she bade him alight and led him unto her castle and asked him faithfully whether he had slain Sir Pelius and he said her yea and told her his name was Sir Gawain of the court of King Arthur and his sister's son truly said she that is great pity for he was a passing good night of his body but of all men alive I hated him most for I could never be quit of him and for ye have slain him I shall be your woman and to do anything that might please you so she made Sir Gawain good cheer then Sir Gawain said that he loved a lady and by no means she would love him she is to blame said Atard and she will not love you for ye that be so well born a man and such a man of prowess there is no lady in the world too good for you will ye said Sir Gawain promise me to do all that ye may by the faith of your body to get me the love of my lady yea sir said she and that I promise you by the faith of my body now said Sir Gawain it is yourself that I love so well therefore I pray you hold your promise I may not choose said the lady Atard but if I should be force-worn and so she granted him to fulfill all his desire so it was then in the month of May that she and Sir Gawain went out of the castle and slept in a pavilion and there was made a bed and there Sir Gawain and the lady Atard went to bed together and in another pavilion she laid her damsels and in the third pavilion she laid part of her nights for then she had no dread of Surpeleus and there Sir Gawain lay with her in that pavilion two days and two nights and on the third day and on the third day in the morning early Surpeleus armed him for he had never slept since Sir Gawain departed from him for Sir Gawain had promised him by the faith of his body to come to him under his pavilion by that priory within the space of a day and a night then Surpeleus mounted upon horseback and came to the pavilions that stood without the castle and found in the first pavilion three nights and three beds and three squires lying at their feet then went he to the second pavilion and four gentle women lying in four beds and then he yamed to the third pavilion and found Sir Gawain lying in bed with his lady Atard and either clipping other in arms and when he saw that his heart well-nigh brassed for sorrow and said alas that ever a night should be found so false and then he took his horse and might not abide no longer for pure sorrow and when he had ridden nigh half a mile he turned again and thought to slay them both and when he saw them both so lie sleeping fast unless he might hold him on horseback for sorrow and said thus to himself though this night be never so false I will never slay him sleeping for I will never destroy the high order of nighthood and therewith he departed again and or he had ridden half a mile he returned again and thought then to slay them both making the greatest sorrow that ever man made and when he came to the pavilions he tied his horse unto a tree and pulled out his sword naked in his hand and went to them there as they lay and yet he thought it were shame to slay them sleeping and laid the naked sword overthwart both their throats and so took his horse and rode his way and when Sir Pelius came to his pavilions he told his knights and his squires how he had sped and said thus to them for your true and good service ye have done me I shall give you all my goods for I will go unto my bed and never arise for I am dead and when that I am dead I charge you that ye take the heart out of my body and bear it her betwixt two silver dishes and tell her how I saw her lie with the false knight Sir Gawain right so Sir Pelius unarmed himself and went unto his bed making marvelous dole and sorrow when Sir Gawain and Etard awoke of their sleep and found the naked sword overthwart their throats then she knew well that was Sir Pelius' sword alas said she to Sir Gawain you have betrayed me and Sir Pelius both for ye told me ye had slain him and now I know well it is not so he is alive and if Sir Pelius had been as uncordious to you as ye have been to him ye had been a dead knight but ye have deceived me and betrayed me falsely that all ladies in damsels may beware by you and me and there was Sir Gawain made him ready and went into the forest so it happened then that the damsel of the lake Nimue met with a knight of Sir Pelius he sat on his foot in the forest making great dole and she asked him the cause and so the wolf one night told her how his master and lord was betrayed through a knight and a lady and how he will never arise out of his bed till he be dead bring him to me said she and on and I will warrant his life he shall not die for love and she that hath caused him so to love she shall be in as evil applied as he is or it belong to for it is no joy of such a proud lady that will have no mercy such a valiant knight and on that night brought her unto him and when she saw him lie in his bed she thought she never saw so likely a knight and there was she through an enchantment upon him and he fell asleep and there while she rode unto the Lady Etard and charged no man to awake him till she came again so within two hours she brought the Lady Etard thither and both ladies found him asleep Lowe said the damsel of the lake he ought to be ashamed for to murder such a knight and there was she through such an enchantment upon her that she loved him sore that well nigh she was out of her mind O Lord Yezi said the Lady Etard how is it befallen unto me that I love now him that I have most hated of any man alive that is the righteous judgment of God said the damsel and then an unsurpelious awake and looked upon Etard and when he saw her he knew her and then he hated her more than any woman alive and said away traitorous come never in my sight and when she heard him say so she wept and made great sorrow out of measure End of book 4, chapters 19 through 22 of God Box Cafe Le Mord d'Artour, volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory Book 4, chapters 23 to 28 Chapter 23 Sir Knight Pellius said the damsel of the lake take your horse and come forth with me out of this country and ye shall love a lady that shall love you I will well said Sir Pellius Sir Pellius I will well said Sir Pellius for this lady Etard have done me great to spite and shame and there he told her the beginning and ending and how he had purposed never to have arisen till that he had been dead and now such grace God have sent me that I hate her as much as ever I loved her thanked be our Lord Jesus thank me said the damsel of the lake Anon Sir Pellius armed him and took his horse and commanded his men to bring after his pavilions and his stuff where the damsel of the lake would assign so the lady Etard died for sorrow and the damsel of the lake rejoiced Sir Pellius and loved together during their life days Chapter 24 Now turn we unto Sir Marhouse that rode with the damsel of thirty winter of age southward and so they came into a deep forest and by fortune they were knighted and rode long in a deep way and at the last they came unto a courtelage and there they asked harbour but the man of the courtelage would not lodge them for no treaties that they could treat but thus much the good man said and ye will take the adventure of your lodging I shall bring you where you shall be lodged what adventure is that that I shall have for my lodging said Sir Marhouse you shall wit when you come there said the good man Sir what adventure so it be bring me thither I pray thee said Sir Marhouse for I am weary my damsel and my horse so the good man went and opened the gate and within an hour he brought him unto a fair castle and then the poor man called the porter and anon he was let into the castle and so he told the lord how he brought him a knight errant and a damsel that would be lodged with him let him in said the lord it may happen he shall repent that they took their lodging here so Sir Marhouse was let in with torchlight and there was a goodly sight of young men that welcomed him and then his horse was led into the stable and he and the damsel were brought into the hall and there stood a mighty duke and many goodly men about him then this lord asked him what he hight and from whence he came and with whom he dwelt Sir he said I am a knight of King Arthur's and knight of the round table and my name is Sir Marhouse and born I am in Ireland and then said the duke to him that me so repenteth the cause is this for I love not thy lord nor none of thy fellows of the table round and therefore ease thyself this night as well as thou mayest for as to mourn and my six sons shall match with you is there no remedy but that I must have a do with you and your six sons at once said Sir Marhouse no said the duke for this cause I made mine a vow for Sir Gawain slew my seven sons in a recounter therefore I made mine a vow there should never knight of King Arthur's court lodge with me or come there as I might have a do with him but that I would have a revenging of my sons death what is your name said Sir Marhouse I require you tell me and it please you with thou well I am the duke of south marches ah said Sir Marhouse I have heard say that he have been long time a great foe unto my lord Arthur and to his knights that shall ye feel to mourn said the duke shall I have a do with you said Sir Marhouse yay said the duke thereof shall thou not choose and therefore take you to your chamber and ye shall have all that to you longeth so Sir Marhouse departed and was led to a chamber and his damsel was led unto her chamber and on the mourn the duke was sent unto Sir Marhouse and bade him ready and so Sir Marhouse arose and armed him and then there was a mass sung for him and break his fast and so mounted on horseback in the court of the castle where they should do the battle so there was the duke already on horseback clean armed and his six sons by him and every had a spear in his hand whereas the duke and his two sons break their spears upon him but Sir Marhouse held up his spear and touched none of them Chapter 25 then came the four sons by couple and two of them break their spears and so did the other two and all this while Sir Marhouse touched them not then Sir Marhouse ran to the duke and smote him with his spear that horse and man fell to the earth and so he served his sons and then Sir Marhouse alighted down and bade the duke yield him or else he would slay him and then some of his sons recovered and would have set upon Sir Marhouse then Sir Marhouse said to the duke cease thy sons or else I will do the uttermost to you all then the duke saw the duke not escape the death he cried to his sons and charged them to yield them to Sir Marhouse and they kneeled all down and put the pommels of their swords to the night and so he received them and then they helped up their father and so by their commonal assent promised to Sir Marhouse never to be foes unto King Arthur and thereupon at Witsentide he and his sons and put them in the King's grace then Sir Marhouse departed and within two days his damsel brought him whereas it was a great tournament that the Lady Devaussi had cried and who that did best should have a rich circlet of gold worth a thousand Byzants and there Sir Marhouse did so nobly that he was renowned and had some time down forty nights and so the circlet of gold was rewarded him then he departed from them with great worship and so within seven nights his damsel brought him to an Earl's place his name was the Earl Fergus that after was Sir Tristram's night and this Earl was but a young man and late come into his lands and there was a giant fast by him that hight Taulord and he had another brother in Cornwall that hight Taulus that Sir Tristram slew when he was out of his mind so this Earl made his complaint unto Sir Marhouse that there was a giant by him that destroyed all his lands and how he durst nowhere ride nor go for him Sir said the night whether useth he to fight may said the Earl there may no horse bear him well said Sir Marhouse then will I fight with him on foot so on the morn Sir Marhouse prayed the Earl that one of his men might bring him whereas the giant was and so he was for he saw him sit under a tree of holly and many clubs of iron and gizerns about him so this night dressed him to the giant putting his shield before him and the giant took an iron club in his hand and at the first stroke he clave Sir Marhouse shield in two pieces and there he was in great peril for the giant was a wily fighter but at last Sir Marhouse smote off his right arm above the elbow then the giant fled in the night after him and so he drove him into a water and it was so high that he might not wade after him and then Sir Marhouse made the Earl Fergus man to fetch him stones and with those stones the night gave the giant many sore knocks till at the last he made him fall down into the water and so was he there dead then Sir Marhouse went unto the giant's castle and there he delivered 24 ladies and 12 knights out of the giant's prison and there he had great riches without number so that the days of his life he was never a poor man then he returned to the Earl Fergus the witch thanked him greatly and would have given him half his lands but he would none take so Sir Marhouse dwelled with the Earl nigh half a year for he was sore bruised with a giant and at the last he took his leave and as he rode by the way he met with Sir Gawain and Sir Oowain and so by adventure he met with four knights of Arthur's court the first was Sir Sagramore Le Desiros Sir Osana Sir Dodinus Le Savage and Sir Fellow of Lestinoise and there Sir Marhouse with one spear smoked down these four knights and hurt them sore so he departed to meet at his day a foreset Chapter 26 now turn we unto Sir Oowain that rode westward with his damsel of three-score winter of age and she brought him there as was a tournament nigh the March of Wales and at that tournament Sir Oowain smoked down 30 knights therefore was given him the prize and that was a jeer falcon and a white steed trapped with cloth of gold so then Sir Oowain did many strange adventures by the means of the old damsel and so she brought him to a lady that was called the Lady of the Rock the witch was much courteous so there were in the country two knights that were brethren and they were called two perilous knights the one knight of the Red Castle and the other Sir Hugh of the Red Castle and these two brethren had disherited the Lady of the Rock of a barony of lands by their extortion and as this knight was lodged with this lady she made her complaint to him of these two knights Madam said Sir Oowain they ought to blame for they do against the high order of knighthood and the oath and if it like you I will speak with them because I am a knight of King Arthur's and I will entreat them with fairness and if they will not I shall do battle with them and in the defence of your right Grammarcy said the Lady and there as I may not acquit you God shall so on the mourn the two knights were sent for that they should come thither to speak with the Lady of the Rock and witty well they failed not for they came with a hundred horse but when this Lady saw them in this manner so big she would not suffer Sir Oowain to go out to them upon no surety nor for no fair language but she made him speak with them over a tower but finally these two brethren would not be entreated and answered that they would keep that they had well said Sir Oowain then will I fight with one of you and prove that you do this Lady wrong that will we not said they for and we do battle we too will fight with one knight at once and therefore if ye will fight so we will be ready at what our ye will assign and if ye win us in battle the Lady shall have her lands again you say well said Sir Oowain therefore make you ready here to mourn in the defence of the Lady's right Chapter 27 So was there sickerness made on both parties that no treason should be wrought on neither party so then the knights departed and made them ready and that night Sir Oowain had great cheer and on the mourn he arose early and heard mass and break his fast and so he rode under the plane without the gates where hoved the two brethren abiding him so they rode together passing sore that Sir Edward and Sir Hugh break their spears upon Sir Oowain and Sir Oowain smote Sir Edward that he fell over his horse and yet his spear brassed not and then he spurred his horse and came upon Sir Hugh and overthrew him but they soon recovered and dressed and bade Sir Oowain alight and do his battle to the uttermost then Sir Oowain devoided his horse suddenly and put his shield before him and drew his sword and so they dressed together and either gave other such strokes and there these two brethren wounded Sir Oowain passing grievously that the Lady of the Rock weaned he should have died and thus they fought together five hours as men raged and at the last Sir Oowain smote Sir Edward upon the helm such a stroke that his sword carved unto his canal bone and then Sir Hugh abated his courage but Sir Oowain pressed fast to have slain him that saw Sir Hugh he kneeled down and yielded him to Sir Oowain and he of his gentleness received his sword by the hand and went into the castle together then the Lady of the Rock was passing glad and the other brother made great sorrow for his brother's death then the Lady was restored of all her lands and Sir Hugh was commanded to be at the court of King Arthur at the next feast of Pentecost so Sir Oowain dwelt with the Lady Nye half a year for it was long or he might be whole of his great hurts and so when it drew Nye the term day that Sir Oowain Sir Marhouse and Sir Oowain should meet at the crossway then every night drew him thither to hold his promise that they had made and Sir Marhouse and Sir Oowain brought their damsels with them but Sir Oowain had lost his damsel as it is a four rehearsed Chapter 28 Right so at the twelve months end they met all three nights at the fountain and their damsels but the damsel that Sir Oowain had could say but little worship of him so they departed from the damsels and rode through a great forest and there they met with a messenger that came from King Arthur that had sought them well Nye a twelve month throughout all England, Wales and Scotland and charged if ever he might find Sir Oowain and Sir Oowain to bring them to the court again and then were they all glad and so prayed they Sir Marhouse to ride with them to the King's court and so within twelve days they came to Camelot and the King was passing glad of their coming and so was all the court then the King made them to swear upon a book to tell him all their adventures that had befallen them that twelve month and so they did and there was Sir Marhouse well known for there were nights that he had matched a foretime and he was named one of the best nights living against the feast of Pentecost came the damsel of the lake and brought with her a surpelius and at that high feast there was great jousting of nights and of all nights when they were at that jousts surpelius had the prize and Sir Marhouse was named the next but surpelius was so strong there might but few nights sit him a buffet with a spear and at that next feast surpelius and surmarhouse were made nights of the table round for there were two sieges void for two nights were slain that twelve month and great joy had King Arthur at this end of surmarhouse but pelius loved never after surguane but as he spared him for the love of King Arthur but oft times at jousts and tournaments surpelius quit surguane for so it rehearseth in the book of French so surtristrum many days after fought with surmarhouse in an island and there they did a great battle but at the last so surtristrum was wounded that aneth he might recover and lay at a nunnery half a year and surpelius was a worshipful night and was one of the four that achieved the sangriaal and the damsel of the lake made by her means that never he had a do with Sir Lancelot the lake for where Sir Lancelot was at any jousts or any tournament she would not suffer him be there that day but if it were on the side of Sir Lancelot explicit liber quartus incipit liber quintus end of book 4 chapters 23 to 28 recorded by tameral of godbox café