 Chapter 15-18, Book 6, Volume 1 of Le Morre 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, reading by Lars Rolander. Le Morre d'Arctur, Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory, Book 6, Chapters 15-18. Chapter 15. How Sir Lonslott came into the Chapel Perylius and got there of a dead corpse, a piece of the cloth and a sword. Right so, Sir Lonslott departed, and when he came unto the Chapel Perylius, he alighted down and tied his horse unto a little gate. And as soon as he was within the churchyard, he saw on the front of the chapel many fair rich shields turned up so down, and many of the shields Sir Lonslott had seen night's bear beforehand. And with that he saw by him there stand a thirty great nights more by a yard than any man that ever had seen. And all those grinned and gnashed at Sir Lonslott, and when he saw their countenance he dreaded him sore, and so put his shield for him and took his sword ready in his hand, ready unto battle, and they were all armed in black harness, ready with their shields and their swords drawn. And when Sir Lonslott would have gone throughout them, they scattered on every side of him and gave him the way. And therewith he waxed all bold and entered into the chapel. And then he saw no light but a dim lamp burning, and then was he aware of a corpse held with a cloth of silk. Then Sir Lonslott stooped down and cut a piece away of that cloth, and then it fared under him as the earth had quaked a little, therewith all he feared. And then he saw a fair sword lie by the dead night, and that he cut in his hand and hid him out of the chapel. And on as ever he was in the chapel yard, all the nights spake to him with a grimly voice, and said, Night, Sir Lonslott, lay that sword from thee, or else thou shalt die. Whether that I live or die, said Sir Lonslott, with no great word, get ye it again. Therefore fight for it, and ye list. Then right so he passed throughout them, and beyond the chapel yard there met him a fair damsel, and said, Sir Lonslott, leave that sword behind thee, or thou wilt die for it. I leave it not, said Sir Lonslott, for no treatise. No, said she, and thou didst leave that sword, Queen Ganniver, should thou never see. Then where I fall, and I would leave this sword, said Lonslott. Now, gentle night, said the damsel, I require thee to kiss me but once. Nay, said Sir Lonslott, that God me forbid. Well, sir, said she, and thou hadst kissed me, thy life-days had been done. But now, alas, she said, I have lost all my labour, for I ordain this chapel for thy sake, and for Sir Gavain. And once I had Sir Gavain within me, and at that time he fought with that night, that leaf there dead in yonder chapel. Sir Gilbert the Bastard, and at that time he smote the left hand off Sir Gilbert the Bastard, and Sir Lonslott. Now I tell thee, I have loved thee this seven year, but there may no woman have thy love but Queen Ganniver. But see, then I may not rejoice thee to have thy body alive. I had kept no more joy in this world but to have thy body dead. Then would I have bound it and served it, and so have kept it my life-days, and daily I should have clipped thee and kissed thee in despite of Queen Ganniver. Ye say, well, said Sir Lonslott, Jesus, preserve me from your subtle crafts. And there with all he took his horse, and so departed from her. And as the book said, when Sir Lonslott was departed, she took such sorrow that she died within a forty night, and her name was Hellowiss, the sorceress, lady of the castle Nigramos. Anon Sir Lonslott met with the damasol, Sir Meliot's sister, and when she saw him, she clapped her hands and wept for joy. And then they rode unto a castle, thereby where lay Sir Meliot. And Anon, as Sir Lonslott saw him, he knew him, but he was passing pale as the earth for bleeding. When Sir Meliot saw Sir Lonslott, he kneeled upon his knees and cried on high, Oh Lord, Sir Lonslott, help me! Anon Sir Lonslott leapt unto him and touched his wounds with her Gilbert's sword, and then he wiped his wounds with a part of the bloody cloth that Sir Gilbert was wrapped in. And Anon, a holer man in his life, was he never. And then there was great joy between them, and they made Sir Lonslott all the cheer that they might. And so on the mourn Sir Lonslott took his leave, and Bade Sir Meliot tie him to the court of my Lord Arthur, for it dreweth nigh of the feast of Pentecost. And there by the grace of God you shall find me. And therewith they departed. Chapter 16 How Sir Lonslott at the request of a lady recovered a forkon by which he was deceived. And so Sir Lonslott rode through many strange countries of where marches and valleys, till by fortune he came to a fair castle. And as he passed beyond the castle, him thought he heard two bells ring. And then was he aware of a forkon, came flying over his head toward an high elm, and long loons about her feet, and as she flew unto the elm to take her perch the loons overcast about a bow. And when she would have taken her flight, she hung by the legs fast. And Sir Lonslott saw how that she hung, and beheld the fair forkon, Perigot, and he was sorry for her. The meanwhile came a lady out of the castle and cried on high, Oh Lonslott, Lonslott, as the thou art flower of all nights helped me to get my hawk, for and my hawk be lost, my lord will destroy me. For I kept the hawk, and she slipped from me, and if my lord my husband witted, he is so hasty that he will slay me. What is your lord's name, said Sir Lonslott. Sir, she said, his name is Sir Felott, a knight that longeth unto the king of North Gullis. Well, fair lady, since that ye know my name and require me of knighthood to help you, I will do what I make to get your hawk, and yet, God knows, I am an ill climber, and the tree is passing high, and few bows to help me with all. And therewith Sir Lonslott alighted and tied his horse to the same tree, and prayed the lady to unarm him. And so, when he was unarmed, he put off all his clothes unto his shirt and breech, and with might and force he clumbed up to the forkon, and tied the lines to great rotten boyshe, and threw the hawk down, and it with all. And on the lady got the hawk in her hand, and therewith all came out Sir Felott out of the grooves suddenly. That was her husband, all armed, and with his naked sword in his hand, and said, O knight Lonslott, now have I found thee as I would, and stood at the ball of the tree to slay him. Ah, lady, said Sir Lonslott, why have ye betrayed me? She hath done, said Sir Felott, but as I commanded her, and therefore there is none other boot, but thine hour is come that thou must die. That was shame unto thee, said Sir Lonslott, thou an armed knight to slay a naked man by treason. Thou getest none other grace, said Sir Felott, and therefore help thyself, and thou canst. Truly, said Sir Lonslott, that shall be thy shame, but since thou wilt do none other, take mine harness with thee, and hang my sword upon a bow, that I may get it, and then do thy best to slay me, and thou canst. Nay, nay, said Sir Felott, for I know thee better than thou weanced, therefore thou getest no weapon, and I may keep thou therefrom. Alas, said Sir Lonslott, that ever a knight should die weaponless. And therewith he waited about him and under him, and over his head he saw round the pick, a big bow leafless, and therewith he break it off by the body, and then he came lower, and awaited how his own horse stood, and suddenly he leapt on the furthest side of the horse, fro-walled the night. And then Sir Felott lashed at him eagerly, weaning to have slain him, but Sir Lonslott put away the stroke with the round the pick, and therewith he smote him on the one side of the head, that he fell down in a swoon to the ground. So then Sir Lonslott took his sword out of his hand, and struck his neck from the body. Then cried the lady, Alas, why hast thou slain my husband? I'm no co-sir, said Sir Lonslott, for with falsehood ye would have had slain me with treason, and now it is fallen on you both, and then she swooned as though she would die. And therewith all Sir Lonslott got all his armor, as well as he might, and put it upon him for dreed of more resort, for he dreeded that the night's castle was so nigh. And so, as soon as he might, he took his horse and departed, and thanked God that he had escaped that adventure. Chapter 17 How Sir Lonslott overtook a knight, which chased his wife to have slain her, and how he said to him. So Sir Lonslott rode many wild ways, throughout marches and many wild ways, and as he rode in a valley, he saw a knight chasing a lady with a naked sword to have slain her. And by fortune, as this knight should have slain this lady, she cried on Sir Lonslott, and prayed him to rescue her. When Sir Lonslott saw that mischief, he took his horse and rode between them, saying, Knight, fight for shame, why wilt thou slay this lady? Thou dost shame unto thee and all knights. What has thou to do betwixt me and my wife said the knight? I will slay her, maugher but thy head. That shall ye not, Sir Lonslott, for rather we too will have a do together. Sir Lonslott said the knight, thou dost not thy part, for this lady hath betrayed me. It is not so, said the lady. Truly he says wrong on me, and for because I love and cherish my cousin, Germain, he is jealous betwixt him and me, and as I shall answer to God, there was never sin betwixt us. But, Sir, said the lady, as thou art called the worship fullest knight of the world, I require thee of true knighthood, keep me and save me, for whatsoever ye say, he will slay me, for he is without mercy. Have ye no doubt, said Lonslott, it shall not lie in his power. Sir, said the knight, in your sight I will be ruled as ye will have me. And so Sir Lonslott rode on the one side, and she on the other. He had not ridden but a while, but the knight bade Sir Lonslott turn him and look behind him, and said, Sir, jonder come men of arms after us riding. And so Sir Lonslott turned him and thought no treason, and therewith was the knight and the lady on one side, and suddenly he swapped off his lady's head. And when Sir Lonslott had espied him what he had done, he said and called him, traitor, thou hast shamed me for ever, and suddenly Sir Lonslott alighted off his horse and pulled out his sword to slay him, and therewith all he fell flat to the earth and gripped Sir Lonslott by the thighs and cried mercy. Fie on thee, said Sir Lonslott, thou shameful knight, thou mayst have no mercy, and therefore arise and fight with me. Nay, said the knight, I will never arise till ye grant me mercy. Now will I prove thee fair, said Lonslott, I will unarm me unto my shirt, and I will have nothing upon me but my shirt and my sword and my hand, and if thou canst slay me, quit be thou for ever. Nay, said Sir Pediver, that will I never. Well, said Sir Lonslott, take this lady and the head and bear it upon thee, and here shall thou swear upon my sword to bear it always upon thy back, and never to rest till thou come to Queen Guniver. Sir, said he, that will I do by the faith of my body. Now, said Lonslott, tell me what is your name. Sir, my name is Pediver. In a shameful hour, where thou borne, said Lonslott. So Pediver departed with a dead lady and the head and found the Queen with King Arter at Winchester, and there he told all the truth. Sir Knight, said the Queen, this is an horrible deed and a shameful and a great rebuke unto Sir Lonslott. But notwithstanding his worship is not known in many diverse countries. But this shall I give you in penance. Make ye as good shift as ye can. Ye shall bear this lady with you on horseback unto the Pope of Rome. And of him receive your penance for your foul deeds, and ye shall never rest one night whereas ye do another, and ye go to any bed the dead body shall lie with you. This oath there he made and so departed. And as he telleth in the French book, when he came to Rome, the Pope beat him go again unto Queen Gunnevere, and in Rome was his lady buried by the Pope's commandment. And after this, Sir Pediver fell to great goodness and was an holy man and an hermit. Chapter 18 How Sir Lonslott came to King Arthur's Court and how there were recounted all his noble feats and acts. Now turn we unto Sir Lonslott de Lac that came home two days before the Feast of Pentecost. And the King and all the court were passing feign of his coming. And when Sir Gavain, Sir Urvain, Sir Sagramour, Sir Héctor de Maris saw Sir Lonslott in case armor, then they wished well it was he that smote them down all with one spare. Then there was laughing and smiling among them, and ever now and now came all the nights home that Sir Turquine had prisoners and they all honored and worshiped Sir Lonslott. When Sir Gaharis heard them speak, he said, I saw all the battle from the beginning to the ending and there he told King Arthur all how it was and how Sir Turquine was the strongest night that he ever saw except Sir Lonslott. There were many nights bear him record, night three score. Then Sir Kay told the King how Sir Lonslott had rescued him when he should have been slain and how he made the nights jeal them to me and not to him. And there they were all three and bear record. And by Jesus said Sir Kay, because Sir Lonslott took my harness and left me his, I rode in good peace and no man would have a do with me. And on there with all there came the three nights that fought with Sir Lonslott at the long bridge, and there they jealied them unto Sir Kay and Sir Kay foresoaked them and said he fought never with them, but I shall ease your heart, said Sir Kay, yonder is Sir Lonslott that overcame you. When they wished that they were glad. And then Sir Meliote Lager came home and told the King how Sir Lonslott had saved him from the death and all his deeds were known, how Four Queens sorceresses had him in prison and how he was delivered by King Bagdemagus' daughter. Also they were told all the great deeds of arms that Sir Lonslott did, betwixt the two kings, that is for to say the King on Othcalis and King Bagdemagus. All the truth Sir Gahalantine did tell and Sir Marder, Delaport and Sir Mordred for they were at that same tournament. Then came in the lady that knew Sir Lonslott when that he wounded Sir Belius at the pavilion. And there at request of Sir Lonslott Sir Belius was made night of the round table and so at that time Sir Lonslott had the greatest name of any night of the world and most he was honored of high and low. Explicit the noble tale of Sir Lonslottolac, which is the sixth book. Here follow us the tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney that was called Boman by Sir Kay and is the seventh book. End of book six, chapters fifteen to eighteen of Le Morte d'Artour by Sir Thomas Mallory read by Lars Rolander. Chapters one through six, book seven, volume one of Le Morte d'Artour by Sir Thomas Mallory. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. L-I-B-R-I-V-O-X-dot-O-R-G. Read by Marco. Chapter one. When Arthur held his round table most plenor it fortune that he commanded that the high feast of Pentecost should be holden at a city in the castle the which in those days was called Kink Kennedon upon the sands that marched nigh Wales. So ever the king had a custom that at the feast of Pentecost in a special of four other feasts in the year he would not go that day to meet until he had heard or seen of a great marvel. And for that custom all manner of strange adventures came before Arthur as at that feast before all other feasts. And so Sir Gawain a little to four noon of the day of Pentecost aspited a window three men upon horseback and a dwarf on foot. And so the three men alighted and the dwarf kept their horses and one of the three men was higher than the other twain by a foot and a half. Then Sir Gawain went unto the king and said Sir go ye to your meat for here at the hand come strange adventures. So Arthur went unto his meat with many other kings. And there were all the knights of the round table save only those that were prisoners or slain at a recounter. Then at the high feast ever more they should be fulfilled the whole number of a hundred and fifty for within was the round table fully accomplished. Right so there came into the hall two men well besiegn and richly upon their shoulders they leaned to the goodliest young man and the fairest that ever they all saw. And he was large and long and broad in the shoulders and well visaged and the fairest and the largest handed that ever man saw. But he fared as though he might not go nor bear himself but if he leaned upon their shoulders. Anon as Arthur saw him there was made peace and room and right so they yeed with him unto the high dais without saying of any words. Then this much young man pulled him aback and easily stretched up straight saying King Arthur God bless you and all your fair fellowship and in a special the fellowship of the table round. And for this cause I am come hither to pray you and require you to give me three gifts and they shall not be unreasonably asked but that ye may worship flee and honorably grant them me and to you no great hurt nor loss. And the first dawn and gift I will ask now and the other two gifts I will ask this day twelve month whereumsoever ye hold your high feast. Now ask said Arthur and ye shall have your asking. Now sir this is my petition for this feast that ye will give me meat and drink sufficiently for this twelve month and at that day I will ask my other two gifts. My fair son said Arthur ask better I counsel thee for this is but a simple asking for my heart giveth me to thee greatly that thou art come of men of worship and greatly my conceit faileth me but thou shalt prove a man of right great worship. Sir he said thereof be as it be may I have asked that I will ask. Well said the King ye shall have meat and drink enough I never defended that none neither my friend nor my foe. But what is thy name I would wit? I cannot tell you said he. That is Marvel said the King that thou knowest not thy name and thou art the goodliest young man that ever I saw. Then the King betook him to Sir Kay the steward and charged him that he should give him all manner of meats and drinks of the best and also that he had all manner of finding as though he were Lord's son. That's a little need said Sir Kay to do such cost upon him for I dare undertake he is a villain born and never will make man for on he had come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and armor but such as he is so he asketh. And so then he has no name I shall give him a name that shall be bow main that is fair hands and into the kitchen I shall bring him and there he shall have fat broths every day that he shall be as fat by the twelve month end as a pork hog. Right so the two men departed and be left him to Sir Kay that scorned him and mocked him. There at was Sir Gawain Roth and in a special Sir Lancelot, Bad Sir Kay leave his mocking for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of great worship. Let be said Sir Kay it may not be by no reason for as he is so he hath asked. Beware said Sir Lancelot so he gave the good night Brunor, Sir Dynadon's brother a name and he called him La Cote Maltaille and that turned you to anger afterward. As for that said Sir Kay this shall never prove none such for Sir Brunor desired ever worship as he desired bread and drink and broth. Upon pain in my life he was fostered up in some abbey and hams over it was they failed to meet and drink and so hither he has come for his sustenance. And so Sir Kay bad him get a place and sit down to meet. So Beaumaine went to the hall door and set him down among boys and lads and there he ate sadly. And then Sir Lancelot after meet bad him come to his chamber and there he should have meet and drink enough. And so did Sir Gawain but he refused them all to him for no proffer. But as touching Sir Gawain he had reason to proffer him lodging, meet and drink that proffer came of his blood for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that as Sir Lancelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy. So thus he was put into the kitchen and lay nightly as the boys of the kitchen did. And so he endured all that twelve month and never displeased man or child but always he was meek and mild. But ever when that he saw any jousting of knights that would he see he might. And ever Sir Lancelot would give him gold to spend and clothes and so did Sir Gawain and where there were any masteries done there at would he be and there might none cast barn or stone to him by two yards. Then would Sir Kay say how likeeth you my boy of the kitchen. So it passed on to the feast of Witsentide and at that time the king held it at Carlyon in the most royalist wise that might be like as he did yearly. But the king would eat no meat upon the Witsentide until he heard some adventures. Then there came a squire to the king and said Sir you may go to your meat for here cometh a damsel with some strange adventures. Then was the king glad and sat him down. Right so there came a damsel into the hall and saluted the king and prayed him of succor. For whom said the king what is the adventure. Sir she said I have a lady of great worship and renown and she is besieged with a tyrant so that she may not out of her castle. And because here are called of the world I come to you to pray you of succor. What I to her lady and where dwelleth she and who is she and what is his name that hath besieged her. Sir king she said as for my lady's name that shall he not know for me as at this time. But I let you wit she is a lady of great worship and of great lands and as for the tyrant that besieged her and destroyed her lands he is called the red knight of the red lands. I know him not said the king. Sir said Sir Grewane I know him well for he is one of the perilous knights of the world. Men say that he hath seven men's strength and from him I escaped once full hard with my life. Fair damsel said the king there be knights here who would do their power for to rescue your lady but because you will not tell her name nor where she dwelleth therefore none of my knights that here be now shall go with you by my will. Then must I speak further said the damsel. Chapter 3 With these words came before the king how the damsel was there and thus he said Sir King God thank you I have been this twelve month in your kitchen and have had my full sustenance and now I will ask my two gifts that be behind. Ask upon my peril said the king Sir this shall be my two gifts first that you will grant me to have this adventure of the damsel for it to belongeth unto me. Thou shalt have it said the king I grant it thee. Then Sir this is the other gift that ye shall bid Lancelot du lake for of him I will be made knight and else of none and when I am passed I pray you let him ride after me and make me knight when I require him. All this shall be done said the king. Fie on thee said the damsel shall I have none but one that is your kitchen page? Then was she wroth and took her horse and departed and with that there came one to Beaumaine and told him that his horse and armor was come for him and there was the dwarf come with all things that him needed in the richest manner and the court had much marvel from whence came all that gear. So when he was armed there was none but few so goodly a man as he was and right so as he came into the hall and took his leave of King Arthur and Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot and prayed that he would hide after him and so departed and rode after the damsel. CHAPTER IV But there went many after to behold how well he was horessed and trapped in cloth of gold but he had neither shield nor spear. He had no way in the kitchen to wit whether he will know me for his better said Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain yet abided home. So Sir Cain made him ready and took his horse and his spear and rode after him and rode as Beaumaine overtook the damsel right so Sir Cain came and said Beaumaine what sir? No ye not me? Then he turned his horse and knew it was Sir Cain that had done him all the despite as ye have heard afore. Ye said Beaumaine I know ye there with Sir Cain put his spear into the rest and ran straight upon him and Beaumaine came as fast upon him with his sword in his hand and so he put away his spear with his sword and with a foin thrust him through the side that Sir Cain fell down as he had been dead and he alighted down and took Sir Cain's shield and his spear and stirred upon his own horse and rode his way. All that saw Sir Lancelot and so did the damsel and then he bat his dwarf stirred upon Sir Cain's horse and so he did. By that Sir Lancelot was come then he profited Sir Lancelot to joust and either made them ready and they came together so fiercely that either bear other down to earth and so were they bruised. Then Sir Lancelot arose and helped him from his horse. Then Beaumaine threw his shield from him and profited to fight with Sir Lancelot on foot and so they rushed together like boars tracing, raising and foining to the mountain of an hour and Sir Lancelot felt him so big that he marveled of his strength for he fought more like a giant than a knight and that his fighting was durable and passing perilous. For Sir Lancelot had so much to do with him that he dreaded himself to be shamed and said Beaumaine fight not so sore your quarrel in mine is not so great but we may leave off. Truly that is truth said Beaumaine but it doth me good to feel your might and yet my lord I showed not the utterance. Chapter 5 In God's name said Sir Lancelot for I promise you by the faith of my body I had as much to do as I might from you unshamed and therefore happy in undoubt of none earthly night Hope you so that I may any while stand approved knight said Beaumaine Yea said Lancelot do as he have done and I shall be your warrant Then I pray you said Beaumaine give me the order of knighthood Then must you tell me your name said Lancelot and of what kin you be born Sirs so that you will not discover me I shall said Beaumaine Na said Sir Lancelot and that I promise you by the faith of my body until it be openly known Sir Lancelot said my name is Gareth and brother unto Sir Gawain a father and mother Ah Sir said Sir Lancelot I am more gladder of you than I was for ever me thought you should be of great blood and that you came not to the court neither for meat nor for drink Then Sir Lancelot gave him the order of knighthood and then Sir Gareth prayed him for to depart and let him go So Sir Lancelot departed from him and came to Sir Kay and made him to be born home upon his shield so he was healed hard with a life But all men scorned Sir Kay and did a special Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot said it was not his part to rebuke no young man for full little he knew of what birth he has come and for what cause he came to this court and so we leave Sir Kay and turn we unto Beaumaine When he had overtaken the damsel and on she said what dost thou hear thou stinkest all of the kitchen thy clothes be body of the grease and tallow that thou gainest in King Arthur's kitchen weanest thou said she that I allow thee for yonder night thou killest nay truly for thou slewest him unhappily and cowardly therefore turn again body kitchen page I know thee well for Sir Kay named thee Beaumaine what art thou but a lusk and a turner of brooches and a ladle washer Damsel said Beaumaine say to me what you will I will not go from you what some ever you say for I have undertaken to King Arthur for to achieve your adventure and so shall I finish it to the end either I shall die therefore thigh on the kitchen nave I shall finish mine adventure thou shalt anon be met with all that thou wouldest not for all the broth that ever thou suppest once look him in the face I shall assay said Beaumaine so thus as they rode in the wood there came a man flying all that ever he might with their wilt thou said Beaumaine oh lord he said help me for here in a slade are six thieves that have taken my lord and bound him so I'm a fearless they will slay him bring me thither said Beaumaine and so they rode together until they came their as was the night bounden and then he rode unto them and struck one unto the death and then another and at the third stroke he slew the third thief and then the other three fled and he rode after them and he overtook them and then those three thieves turned again and assailed Beaumaine hard but at the last he slew them and returned and unbound the night and the night thanked him and prayed him to ride with him to his castle there a little beside and he should worshipfully reward him for his good deeds so said Beaumaine I will know reward have because this day made night of noble Sir Lancelot and therefore I will know reward have but God reward me and also I must follow this damsel and when he came nigh her she bat him ride from her for thou smellest all of the kitchen we nest thou that I have joy of thee for all this deed that thou has done is but misshaped thee for thou shalt see a sight shall make thee turn again and at lightly then the same night which was rescued of thieves rode after that damsel and prayed her to lodge with him all that night and because it was near night the damsel rode with him to his castle and there they had great cheer and at supper the night sat Sir Beaumaine before the damsel thigh, thigh said she Sir Knight here on courteous to set a kitchen page afore me him to seemeth better to stick a swine than to sit for a damsel of high parrige then the night was ashamed at her words and took him up and set him at a sideboard and set himself before him and so all that night they had good cheer and merry rest CHAPTER VI and on the mourn the damsel and he took their leave and thanked the night and so departed and rode on their way until they came to a great forest and there was a great river and but one passage and there were ready two nights on the farther side to let them the passage what sayest thou said the damsel wilt thou match yonder nights or turn again nay said Sir Beaumaine I will not turn again on there were six more and there with all he rushed into the water and in the midst of the water either break their spears or their hands and then they drew their swords and smote eagerly at each other and at the last Sir Beaumaine smote the other upon the helm that his head stunned and there with all he fell down in the water and there was he drowned and then he spurred his horse upon the land where the other night fell upon him and break his spear and so they drew their swords and fought long together at the last Sir Beaumaine clave his helmet his head down to the shoulders and so he rode unto the damsel and bat her ride forth on her way that ever a kitchen page should have that fortune to destroy two dowdy knights thou weanest thou hast done doubly that is not so for the first night his horse stumbled and there he was drowned in the water and never it was by thy force nor by thy might and the last night by mishap thou came behind him and mishappily thou slew him damsel said Beaumaine you may say what you will but with whom so ever I have do with all I trust to God to serve him or he depart and therefore I reck not what you say so that I may win your lady thigh thigh foul kitchen nave thou shalt see knights that shall abate thy boast fair damsel give me goodly language and then my care is passed for what knightsomever they be I care not nor I doubt them not also said she I say it for thine avail yet mayest thou turn again with thy worship for on thou follow me thou art but slain for I see all that ever thou dost is by misadventure and not by prowess of thy hands well damsel you may say what you will but whereum so ever you go I will follow you and this Beaumaine rode with that lady until even in song time and never she chid him and would not rest and they came to a black land and there was a black hawthorn and thereon hung a black banner and on the other side there hung a black shield and by it stood a black spear great and long and a great black horse covered with silk and a black stone fast by end of chapter one through six of book seven chapter seven through eleven book seven volume one of LeMorte d'Artour by Sir Thomas Mallory this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org LibriVox.org read by Marco at New Orleans 2007 chapter seven there sat a knight all armed in black harness and his name was the night of the black land then the damsel when she saw that night she bade him flee down that valley for his horse was not saddled grand mercy said Beaumaine for always you would have me a coward with that the black knight when she came nigh him spake and said damsel have you brought this knight of King Arthur to be your champion nay fair knight said she this is but a kitchen nave that was fed in King Arthur's kitchen for alms why cometh he said the knight in such a way sir I cannot be delivered of him said she for with me he writheth Magermine head God would that ye should put him from me other to slay him on you may for he is an unhappy nave and unhappily he hath done this day through mishap I saw him slay two knights at the passage of the water and other deeds he did before right marvelous and through unhappiness that marvelous me said the black knight that any man that is of worship will have a do with him they know him not damsel for because he writheth with me they wean that he be some men of worship borne that may be said the black knight how be it as he say that he been a man of worship he is a full likely person and full like to be a strong man that may be said the black knight how be it as he say that he be no man of worship he is a full likely person and full like to be a strong man but thus much shall I grant you said the black knight I shall put him down upon one foot and his horse & his harness he shall leave with me for it were to me to do him any more harm. Once her bowman heard him say thus, he said, Sir Knight, thou art full large of my horse and my harness. I let thee which it cost thee not, and whether it likeeth thee or not, this land will I pass, mogger thine head. And horse nor harness, getest thou none of mine, but if thou win them with thy hands, and therefore let's see what thou canst do. Sayest thou that, said the Black Knight? Now yield thy lady from thee, for to seemeth never a kitchen-page to ride with such a lady. Thou liest, said Bowmane, I am a gentleman born, and of more high lineage than thou, and that will I prove upon thy body. Then in great wrath they departed with their horses, and came together as it had been thunder, and the Black Knight spear break, and Bowmane thrust him through both his sides, and therewith spear break, and the truncheon left still in his side. But nevertheless the Black Knight drew his sword, and smote many eager strokes, and of great might, and hurt Bowmane full sore. But at the last the Black Knight, within an hour and a half, he fell down off his horse in swoon, and there he died. And when Bowmane saw him so well horsed and armed, then he alighted down and armed him in his armor, and so he took his horse and rode after the damsel. When she saw him come nigh she said, Away, kitchen-nave, out of the wind, for the smell of thy body-clothes grieveeth me. Alas she said that ever such a nave should by Miss Hepsley so good a night as thou hast done, but all this is thine unhappiness. But hereby is one shall pay thee all thy payment, and therefore yet I cancel thee flea. It may happen me, said Bowmane, to be beaten or slain, but I warn ye, fair damsel, I will not flee away, and nor leave your company, for all that ye can say. For ever ye say that they will kill me or beat me, but how much ever it happeneth I escape, and they lie on the ground. And therefore it were as good for you to hold you still, thus all day rebuking me. For away I will not, till I see the uttermost of this journey, or else I will be slain, or truly beaten. Therefore ride on your way, for follow you I will, what some ever happen. CHAPTER VIII Thus as they rode together they saw a knight come driving by them, all in green, both his horse and his harness, and when he came nigh the damsel he asked her, Is that my brother the black knight that ye have brought with you? Nay, nay, she said, this unhappy kitchen-nave hath slain your brother through unhappiness. Alas, said the green knight, that is great pity, that so noble a night as he was should so unhappily be slain, and namely of a knave's hand, as ye say that he is. Ah, traitor, said the green knight, thou shalt die for slaying of my brother. He was a full noble night, and his name was Sir Perard. I defy thee, said Baumein, for I let thee wit, I slew him nightly, and not shamefully. Therewithal the green knight rode unto a horn that was green, and it hung upon a thorn, and there he blew three deadly motes. And there came two damsels and armed him lightly, and then he took a great horse and a green shield and a green spear. Then they ran together with all their mites, and break their spears unto their hands. And then they drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, and either of them wounded other full ill. And at the last, at an overthwart, Baumein with his horse struck the green knight's horse upon the side that he fell to the earth. And then the green knight avoided his horse lightly, and dressed up upon foot. That saw Baumein, and therewithal he alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty kempts a long while, and sore they bled both. With that came the damsel, and said, My lord, the green knight, why, for shame stand ye so long fighting with the kitchenave, alas, it is shame that ever ye were made a knight to see such a lad to match such a knight as the weed ever grew the corn. Therewith the green knight was ashamed, and therewithal he gave a great stroke of might, and clave his shield through. When Baumein saw his shield cloven asunder, he was a little ashamed of that stroke and of her language. Then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell on his knees. And so suddenly Baumein pulled him upon the ground groveling. And then the green knight cried him mercy, and yielded him unto Sir Baumein, and prayed him to slay him not. Alas in vain, said Baumein, for thou shalt die, but if this damsel that came with me prayed me to save thy life. And therewithal he unleashed his helm, like as he would slay him. Fie upon the false kitchen page, I will never pray thee to save his life, for I will never be so much in thy danger. Then shall he die, said Baumein. Not so hardy, thou body-nave, said the damsel that thou slay him. Alas, said the green knight, suffer me not to die, for a fair reward may save me. Fair knight, said the green knight, save my life, and I will forgive thee the death of my brother, and for ever to become thy man, and thirty knights that hold of me for ever shall do you service. In the devil's name, said the damsel, that such a body-kitchen nave should have thee and thirty knights' service. Sir knight, said Baumein, all this availeth thee not, but if my damsel speak with me for thy life, and therewithal he may disemblent to slay him. Let be, said the damsel, thou body-nave, slay him not, for I am now due, thou shalt repent it. Damsel, said Baumein, your charge is to me a pleasure, and at your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not. Then he said, Sir knight, with the green arms, I release thee quit at this damsel's request, for I will not make her wroth. I will fulfill all that she chargeeth me. And then the green knight kneeled down, and did him homage with his sword. Then said the damsel, me repenteth, green knight, of your damage, and of your brother's death the black knight, for of your help I had great mister, for I dread me sore to pass this forest. Nay, dread you not, so the green knight, for ye shall lodge with me this night, and to-morrow I shall help you through this forest. So they took their horses, and rode to his manor, which was fast there beside. CHAPTER IX. And ever she rebuked Baumein, and would not suffer him to sit at her table. But as the green knight took him, and sat him at a side table. MARVEL ME. Thinketh, said the green knight to the damsel, why ye rebuke this noble knight as ye do? For I warn you, damsel, he is a full noble knight, and I know no knight is able to match him. Therefore ye do great wrong to rebuke him, for he shall do ye right good service, and whatsoever he maketh himself, he shall prove at the end that he has come of noble blood, and of king's lineage. PHY. PHY. said the damsel. It is shame for you to say of him such worship. Truly, said the green knight, it was shame for me to say of him any disworship, for he hath proved himself a better knight than I am. Yet have I met with many knights in my days, and never or this time have I found no knight to match. And so that night they yeed unto rest, and all that night the green knight commanded thirty knights, privily to watch Baumein, for to keep him from all treason. And so on the mourn they all arose, and heard their mass, and break their fast. And then they took their horses, and rode on their way, and the green knight conveyed them through the forest. And there the green knight said, My Lord Baumein, I on these thirty knights shall be always at your summons, both early and late, at your calling, and wither that ever ye will send us. It is well said, said Baumein, when that I call upon you, you must yield you unto King Arthur, and all your knights. If that ye so command us, we shall be ready at all times, said the green knight. PHY. PHY. upon thee, in the devil's name said the damsel, that any good knight should be obedient unto a kitchen-nave. So then departed the green knight and the damsel. And then she said unto Baumein, Why followest thou me, thou kitchen-boy? Cast away thy shield, and thy spear, and flee away. Yet I counsel thee butonyms, or thou shalt say right soon, alas, for work thou as white as ever was weighed, or lance-lot, tristrim, or the good knights, or lemurac, thou shalt not pass a pass here that is called the pass perilous. PHY. Damsel, said Baumein, Who is the fear to let him flee? For it were shame to turn again, said then I have ridden with you so long. Well, said the damsel, ye shall soon, whether ye will or not. CHAPTER X So within a while they saw a tower, as white as any snow, well-match-gulled all about, and double-dyked, and over the tower-gate there hung fifty shields of diverse colors, and under that tower there was a fair meadow, and therein were many knights and squires to behold, scaffolds and pavilions, for thereupon the morn should be a great tournament. And the lord of the tower was in his castle, and looked out at a window, and saw a damsel, a dwarf, and a knight, armed at all points. So God me help, said the lord, with that knight will I joust, for I see he is a knight errant. And so he armed him and hoarsed him hastily, and when he was on horseback with the shield and his spear, it was all red, both his horse and his harness, and all that to him longeth. And when that he came nigh him he weaned it had been his brother the black knight, and then he cried aloud, Brother, what do ye in these marches? Nay, nay, said the damsel, it is not he, this is but a kitchen-nave that was brought up for alms in King Arthur's court. Nevertheless, said the red knight, I will speak with him, or he depart. Ah, said the damsel, this nave hath killed thy brother, and Sir Kay named him Beaumaine, and this horse and this harness was thy brother's the black knight. Also I saw thy brother the green knight overcome of his hands, now may ye be revenged upon him, for I may never be quit of him. With this either knights departed in Sunder, and they came together with all their might, and either of their horses fell to earth. And they avoided their horses, and put their shields before them, and drew their swords, and either gave other sad strokes. Now here, now there, raising, tracing, foining, and hurling like tube-wars, the space of two hours. And then she cried on high to the red knight, Alas, thou noble red knight, think what worship hath followed thee, let never a kitchen-nave endure thee so long as he doth. Then the red knight waxed wroth, and doubled his strokes, and hurt Beaumaine wonderly saw that the blood ran down to the ground, that it was wonder to see that strong battle. Yet at the last, Sir Beaumaine struck him to the earth, as he would have slain the red knight. He cried mercy, saying noble knight, slay me not, and I shall yield me to thee, with fifty knights with me, that beid my commandment, and I forgive thee all the despite that thou has done me, and the death of my brother the black knight. All this availeth not, said Beaumaine, but if my damsel pray me to save thy life, and therewith he made semblance to strike off his head. Let be thou Beaumaine, slay him not, for he is a noble knight, and not so hardy upon mine head, but thou save him. Then Beaumaine bade the red knight stand up, and thank the damsel now of thy life. Then the red knight prayed him to see his castle, and to be there all night. So the damsel then granted him, and there they had merry cheer. But always the damsel spake many foul words unto Beaumaine, whereof the red knight had great marvel, and all that night the red knight made three score knights to watch Beaumaine, that he should have no shame nor villainy. And upon the mourn they heard mass, and dined, and the red knight came before Beaumaine, with his three score knights, and there he proffered him his homage and fealty at all times. He and his knights to do him service. I thank you, said Beaumaine, but this ye shall grant me, when I call upon you, to come afore my lord King Arthur, and yield ye unto him to be his knights. So said the red knight, I will be ready, and my fellowship at your summons. So Sir Beaumaine departed, and the damsel, and ever she rode chiding him in the foulest manner. CHAPTER 11 The damsel said Beaumaine, ye are uncourteous, so to rebuke me as ye do. For me seemeth I have done you good service, and ever ye threaten me I shall be beaten with knights that we meet. But ever for all your boast they lie in the dust, or in the mire. And therefore I pray you rebuke me no more. And when ye see me beaten, or yielded, and is recreant, then may ye bid me go from you shamefully. But first I let you wit, I will not depart from you, for I were worse than a fool, and I would depart from you all the while that I win worship. Well, said she, right soon there shall meet tonight, shall pay thee all thy wages, for he is the most man of worship of the world except King Arthur. I will well, said Beaumaine, the more he is of worship, the more shall be my worship to have a do with him. Then anon they were where, where was afore them a city, rich and fair, and betwixt them in the city, a mile and a half, there was a fair meadow that seemed new moan, and therein were many pavilions fair to behold. Lo said the damsel, yonder's a lord that owneth yonder city, and his custom is, when the weather is fair, to lie in this meadow to joust and turny, and ever there be about him five hundred knights and gentlemen of arms, there be all manner of games that any gentleman can devise. That goodly lord, said Beaumaine, would I faint see? Thou shalt see him time enough, said the damsel, and so as she rode near she aspired the pavilion where he was. Lo said she, seeest thou yonder pavilion that is all of the color of ind, and all manner of thing that is there about, men and women and horses trapped, shields and spears were all of the color of ind, and his name is surpassent of ind, the lordliest night that ever thou looks'd on. It may well be, said Beaumaine, but be he never so stout a night, in this field I shall abide till that I see him under his shield. Ah, fool, said she, that would better flee betimes. Why, said Beaumaine, on he be such a night as he make him, he will not set upon me with all his men, or with his five hundred knights, for on there come no more but one at once, I shall name not fail while my life lasteth. Five, five, said the damsel, that ever such a stinking knave should blow such a boast. Damsel, he said, ye art to blame, so to rebuke me, for I had left for due five battles than so to be rebuke'd. Let him come, and let him do his worst. Sir, she said, I marvel what thou art, and of what can thou art come, boldly thou speakest, and boldly thou hast done, that I have seen. Therefore I pray thee, save thyself on thou mayest, for thy horse and thou have had great travail, and I dread we dwell over long from the siege, for it is but ten, seven mile, and all perilous passages, we are past, save only this passage, and here I dread me sore lest ye shall catch some hurt, and therefore I would, ye verhent, that ye were not bruised nor hurt with a strong knight. But I let ye wit, that sir, person to vind, is nothing of might nor strength unto the knight that laid the siege about my lady. As for that, said Sir Beaumaine, be it as it be may, for said than I am come so nigh this night, I will prove his might, or I depart from him, and else I shall be shamed, on and out withdraw me from him. And therefore, damsel, have ye no doubt, by the grace of God I shall so deal with this night, that within two hours afternoon I shall deliver him, and then shall we come to the siege by daylight. O Jezu, marvel have I, said the damsel, what man or a man ye be? For it may never be otherwise, but that ye come of noble blood, for so foul nor shamefully did never woman rule an eyes as I have done you, and ever courteously ye have suffered me, and that came never but of gentle blood. Damsel, said Beaumaine, a night may little do, that may not suffer a damsel. For what some ever ye said unto me, I took none heed to your words, for the more ye said, the more ye angered me, and my wrath I wreaked upon them that I had do with all. And therefore all the mis-saying that ye mis-sayed me, furthered me in battle, and caused me to think, to show, and prove myself at the end to what I was. For per-adventure, though I had meat in King Arthur's kitchen, yet I might have had meat enough in other places, but all that I did it, for to prove and to say my friends, and that shall be known another day, and whether that I be a gentleman born or none, I let you it fair damsel, I have done you gentlemen's service, and per-adventure better service yet will I do, or I depart from you. Alas! she said, fair Beaumaine, forgive me all that I have mis-said or done against thee. With all my heart said he, I forgive it to you. For ye did nothing but as ye should do, for all your evil words pleased me, and damsel said Beaumaine, that's it like a few to say thus fair unto me, with ye well it gladdeth my heart greatly, and now me, Seymoth, there is no night living, but I am able enough for him. CHAPTER XII-XVI VOLUME 1 OF LAMORT DARTOUR by Sir Thomas Mallory 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 Marco at New Orleans, 2007. CHAPTER XII With this Sir Persant event had aspired them as they hoved in the field, and nightly he sent to them, whether he came in war or in peace. Say to thy lord, said Beaumaine, I take no force, but whether as him lest himself. So the messenger went again unto Sir Persant, and told him all his answer. Well, then, will I have a do with him, to the utterance, and so he pervade him and rode against him. And Beaumaine saw him and made him ready, and there they met with all that ever their horses might run, and brassed their spears either in three pieces, and their horses rushed so together that both their horses fell dead to the earth, and lightly they avoided their horses and put their shields before them and drew their swords and gave many great strokes that sometimes they hurtled together that they fell groveling on the ground. Thus they fought two hours and more, that their shields and their harbors were all forhewn, and in many steds they were wounded. So at the last Sir Beaumaine smote him through the cost of the body, and then he retrayed him here and there, and nightly maintained his battle long time. And at the last though him loath were, Beaumaine smote Sir Persant above upon the helm, that he fell groveling to the earth, and then he leapt upon him overthwart, and unlaced his helm to upslane him. And Sir Persant yielded him and asked him mercy. With that came the damsel and prayed to save his life. I will well, for it were pity this noble night should die. Gramercy said Persant gentle night in damsel. For certainly now I walked well. It was ye that slew my brother the black knight at the black thorn. He was a full noble knight, his name was Sir Percard. Also I am sure that ye are he that won my other brother the green knight, his name was Sir Pertelope. Also ye won my brother the red knight, Sir Pereminace. And now since ye have won these, this shall I do for to please you. Ye shall have homage and fealty of me, and in a hundred nights to be always at your commandment, to go and ride where ye will command us. And so they went unto Sir Persant's pavilion, and drank the wine, and ate spices, and afterwards Sir Persant made him to rest upon a bed until suppertime, and after supper to bed again. When Beaumaine was a bed, Sir Persant had a lady, a fair daughter, of eighteen year of age, and there he called her to him, and charged her and commanded her upon his blessing to go unto the night's bed, and lie down by his side, and make him no strange cheer but good cheer, and take him in nine arms and kiss him, and look that this be done I charge you, as ye will have my love and my good will. So Sir Persant's daughter did as her father bad her, and so she went unto Sir Beaumaine's bed, and privily she despoiled her, and laid her down by him, and then he awoke and saw her, and asked her what she was. Sir she said I am Sir Persant's daughter, that by the commandment of my father am come hither. Beaumaine, or a wife, said he. Sir she said I am a clean maiden. God defends that he that I should defoil you, to do Sir Persant such a shame. Therefore fair damsel arise out of this bed, or else I will. Sir she said I came not to you by my known will, but as I was commanded. Alas! said Sir Beaumaine, I were a shameful knight, on I would do your father any disworship, and so he kissed her, and so she departed, and came unto Sir Persant her father, and told him all how she had sped. Truly said Sir Persant, what some ever he be, he is come of a noble blood. And so we leave them there, till on the mourn. And so on the mourn the damsel and Sir Beaumaine heard mass, and break their fast, and so took their leave. Sir damsel said Persant, with a word are ye way leading this night. Sir she said this night is going to the siege, that besieges my sister, in the castle dangerous. Ah! ah! said Persant, that is the night of the red land, the which is the most perilous night that I know now living, and a man that is without mercy, and men say that he hath seven men's strength. God save you, said he, to Beaumaine from that night, for he doth great wrong to that lady, and that is great pity, for she is one of the fairest ladies of the world, and me seemeth that your damsel is her sister, is not your name Lynette, said he. Ye sir said she, and my lady my sister's name is Dame Lyonesse. Now shall I tell you, said Sir Persant, this red night of the red land hath lain long at the siege, well nigh this two years, and many time he might have had her, on he had wood, but he prolonged at the time to this intent, for to have Sir Lancelot du Lake to do battle with him, or Sir Tristram, or Sir Lamaroc de Gallus, or Sir Gawain, and this is his tarrying so long at the siege. Now my lord, Sir Persant of End, said the damsel Lynette, I require you that you will make this gentleman night, or ever he fight with the red night. I will, with all my heart, said Sir Persant, on it please him to take the order of knighthood, of so simple a man as I am. Sir Sid Beaumaine, I thank you for your good will, for I am better sped, for certainly the noble knight Sir Lancelot made me knight. Ah, said Sir Persant, of a more renowned knight might he not be made knight, for of all knights he may be called chief of knighthood. And so all the world sayeth that betwixt three knights is departed clearly knighthood, that is Lancelot du Lake, Sir Tristram de Leonès, and Sir Lamaroc de Gallus, these bear now the renown. There be many other knights, as Sir Palamides de Saracen, and Sir Saphir, his brother, also Sir Baleoburus, and Sir Glamour de Gannis, his brother, also Sir Bors de Gannis, and Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Percival de Gallus, these may not be made knights, but there be none that pass the three above said. Therefore God speed you well, said Sir Persant, for on you may match the red knight ye should be called the fourth of the world. Sir Sid Beaumaine, I would feign be of good fame and knighthood, and I let you wit I came of good men, for I dare say my father was a noble man, and so that ye will keep it close and to the stamble, I will tell you of what kin I am. We will not discover you, said they both, till ye command us, by the faith we owe unto God. Truly then, said he, my name is Gareth of Orkney, and King Lot was my father, and my mother is King Arthur's sister, her name is Dame Morghaz, and Sir Gawain is my brother, and Sir Agravain and Sir Geharris, and I am the youngest of them all. And yet what not, King Arthur, nor Sir Gawain, what I am. CHAPTER XIV So the book saith that the lady that was besieged had word of her sisters coming by the dwarf, and a night with her, and how he had passed all the perilous passages. What manner of man is he, said the lady? He is a noble knight truly, madam, said the dwarf, and but a young man, but he is as likely a man as ever ye saw any. What is he, said the damsel, and of what kin is he come, and of whom was he made night? Madam said the dwarf, he is the king's son of Orkney, but his name I will not tell you as at this time, but witty well of Sir Lancelot was he made night, for of none other would he be made night, and Sir Keh named him Bo-Main. How escaped, he said the lady, from the brethren of Persant. Madam he said as a noble knight should. First he slew two brethren at a passage of a water. Ah, said she, they were good knights, but they were murderers. The one hight Gerard Lebrus, and the other night Hight Sir Arnold Lebrus. Then madam he recounted with the black knight and slew him in plain battle, and so he took his horse and his armor, and fought with the green knight and won him in plain battle. And likewise he served the red knight, and after in the same wise he served the blue knight and won him in plain battle. Then said the lady he hath overcome Sir Persant of End, one of the noblest knights of the world, and the dwarf said he hath won all the four brethren and slain the black knight, and yet he did more to four. He overthrew Sir Keh and left him nigh dead upon the ground. Also he did a great battle with Sir Lancelot, and there they departed on even hands, and then Sir Lancelot made him night. Then said the lady I am glad of these tidings. Therefore go thou in an hermitage of mine nearby, and there shout thou bear with thee of my wine in two flagans of silver there of two gallons, and also two casts of bread with fat venison baked and dainty fowls, and a cup of gold here I deliver thee that is rich and precious, and bear all this to my hermitage and put it in the hermit's hands. And so then thou go unto my sister and greet her well, and commend me into that gentle night, and pray him to eat and to drink and to make him strong. And say ye I thank him of his courtesy and goodness, that he would take upon him such labour for me that never did him bounty nor courtesy. Also pray him that he be of good heart and courage, for he shall meet with a full noble night, but he is neither of bounty, courtesy, nor gentleness, for he attendeth unto nothing but to murder, and that is the cause I cannot praise him nor love him. So this dwarf departed and came unto Sir Persant, where he found the dams of Lynette and Sir Beaumain, and there he told them all as ye have heard. And then they took their leave. But Sir Persant took an ambling hackney and conveyed them on their ways, and then be left them to God. And so within a little while they came to that hermitage, and there they drank the wine, and ate the venison, and the fowls, bacon. And so when they had repasted them well, the dwarf returned again with his vessel unto the castle again, and there met with him the red night of the redlands, and asked him from whence that he came and where he had been. Sir said the dwarf, I have been with my lady's sister of this castle, and she hath been at King Arthur's court and brought a night with her. Then I count her to avail but lost, for though she had brought with her Sir Lancelot, Sir Tristram, Sir Lamarack, or Sir Gawain, I would think myself good enough for them all. It may well be, said the dwarf, but this night hath passed all the perilous passages, and slain the black night, and other two more, and one the green night, the red night, and the blue night. Then he is one of these four that I have before rehearsed. He is none of those, said the dwarf, but he is a King's son. What is his name, said the red night of the redlands? That will I not tell you, said the dwarf, but Sir Kay upon Scorn, named him Beaumaine. I care not, said the night what night soever he be, for I shall soon deliver him, and if I ever match him he shall have a shameful death as many other have had. That were pity, said the dwarf, and it is marvel that he makes such shameful war upon noble knights. CHAPTER XV Now leave we the night and the dwarf, and speak we of Beaumaine, that lay all night in the hermitage. And upon the morn he and the damsel Lynette heard their mass and break their fast. And then they took their horses and rode throughout a fair forest, and then they came to a plain, and saw where were many pavilions and tents and a fair castle, and there was much smoke and great noise, and when they came near the siege Sir Beaumaine aspired upon great trees as he rode, how their hungful, goodly armed knights by the neck, and their shields about their necks with their swords, and guilt spurs upon their heels, and so their hung nigh at forty knights, shamefully with full rich arms. Then Sir Beaumaine abated his countenance and said, What meaneth this? Fair sirs of the damsel, abate not your cheer for all this sight, for ye must courage yourself, or else ye be all shant, for all these knights came hither to the siege to rescue my sister Damleoness, and when the red knight of the red lands had overcome them, he put them to this shameful death without mercy and pity, and in the same wise he will serve you, but if you quit you the better. Now Jezu defend me, said Beaumaine, from such a villainous death and shenship of arms, for rather than I should be so fair and with all, I would rather be slain manly in plain battle. So were ye better, said the damsel, for trust not in him is no courtesy, but all goeth to the death or shameful murder, and that is pity, for he is a full likely man, well made of body, and a full noble knight of prowess, and a lord of great lands and possessions. Truly said Beaumaine, he may well be a good knight, but he useeth shameful customs, and it is marvel that he endureth so long, and that none of the noble knights of my lord arthers have not dealt with him. And then they rode to the dykes, and saw them double dyked with full warlike walls, and they were lodged many great lords nigh the walls, and there was great noise of minstrel sea, and the sea beat upon the one side of the walls, where were many ships and mariners noise with hail and tow. And also there was fast by a sycamore tree, and there hung an horn, the greatest that ever they saw, of an elephant's bone, and this the night of the red lands had hanged it up there, that if there came any errand night he must blow that horn, and then will he make him ready, and come to him to do battle. But sir, I pray you, said the damsel Lynette, blow ye not the horn till it be high noon, for now it is about prime, and now increaseeth his might, that as men say he hath seven men strength. Ah, thigh, for shame, fair damsel, say ye never so more to me, for on he were as good a night as ever was, I shall never fail him in his most might, for either I will win worshipfully, or die nightly in the field. And therewith he spurred his horse straight to the sycamore tree, and blew the horn so eagerly that all the siege in the castle rang thereof, and then there leapt out knights out of their tents and pavilions, and they within the castle looked over the walls and out at windows. Then the red night of the red lands armed him hastily, and two barons set on his spurs upon his heels, and all was blood red, his armor, spear, and shield, and an earl buckled his helm upon his head, and then they brought him a red spear and a red steed, and so he rode into a little veil under the castle, that all that were in the castle and at the siege might behold the battle. CHAPTER XVI Sir, said the damsel Lynette, unto Sir Bowman, look ye be glad and light, for yonder is your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my lady, my sister, Dame Lynette. Where, said Bowmane, yonder, said the damsel, and pointed with her finger. That is truth, said Bowmane. She besieged the far, the fairest lady that ever I looked upon, and truly he said I ask no better quarrel than now for to do battle, for truly she shall be my lady, and for her I will fight. And ever he looked up to the window with glad countenance, and the lady Lynette made curtsy to him down to the earth, withholding at both their hands. With that the red knight of the red lands called to Sir Bowmane, leave, Sir Knight, thy looking, and behold me, I counsel thee, for I warned thee well she is my lady, and for her I have done many strong battles. If thou have so done, said Bowmane, me seemeth it was but waste labour, for she loveth none of thy fellowship, and thou to love, that loveth not thee, is but great folly. For on I understood that she were not glad of my coming, I would be advised, or I did battle for her. But I understand by the besieging of this castle she may forbear thy fellowship. Therefore with thou well, thou red knight of the red lands, I love her, and will rescue her, or else to die. Sayest thou that, said the red knight, me seemeth thou out of reason to beware, by yonder nights that thou sawst hang upon yonder trees. Thou, for shame, said Bowmane, that ever thou shouldst say or do so evil, for in that thou shamest thyself end knighthood, and now mayest be sure there will no lady love thee that knoweth thy wicked customs, and now thou weanest that the sight of these hanged knights should fear me, nay, truly not so, that shameful sight causeth me to have courage and hardiness against thee, more than I would have had against thee, on thou were to well ruled knight. Make thee ready, said the red knight of the red lands, and talk no longer with me. Then Sir Bowmane bade the dams, or go from him, and then they put their spears in their rusts, and came together with all their might that they had both, and either smote other in the midst of their shields, that the patreels, sursingles, and croppers, brassed, and fell to the earth both, and the reins of their bridles in their hands, and so they lay a great while sore-astonied, that all that were in the castle and in the siege weaned their necks had been broken. And then many a stranger and other said the strange knight was a big man and a noble gesture, for or now we saw never no knight match the red knight of the red lands. Thus they said both within the castle and without. Then lightly they avoided their horses and put their shields before them, and drew their swords, and ran together like two fierce lions, and either gave other such buffets upon their helms that they reeled backward both two strides, and then they recovered both and hewed great pieces off their harness and their shields that a great part fell into the fields. CHAPTER XII. And then thus they fought till it was past noon, and never would stint, till at the last they lacked wind both, and then they stood wagging and scattering, panting, blowing, and bleeding, that all that beheld them for the most part wept for pity. So when they had rested them a while, they yed to battle again, tracing, racing, foining as two boars, and at some time they took their turn as it had been two rams, and hurtled together, that some time they fell groveling to the earth, and at some time they were so amazed that either took other sword instead of his own. Thus they endured till even some time that there was none that beheld them might know whether it was like to win the battle, and their armor was so forhewn that men might see their naked sides, and in other places they were naked, but ever the naked places they did defend. And the red knight was a wily knight of war, and his wily fighting taught Sir Bowmane to be wise, but he abot it full sore, or he did espy his fighting. And thus by ascent of them both they granted either other to rest, and so they set them down upon two molehills, there beside the fighting place, and either of them enlaced his helm and took the cold wind, for either of their pages was fast by them to come when they called to enlace their harness, and to set them on again at their commandment. And then when Sir Bowmane's helm was off, he looked up to the window, and there he saw the fair lady, Dame Leoness, and she made him such countenance that his heart waxed light and jolly, and therewith he bade the red knight of the red lands, make him ready, and led us to battle to the utterance. I will well, said the knight, and then they laced up their helms and their pages avoided, and they stepped together and fought freshly. But the red knight of the red lands awaited him, and at an overthwart smote him within the hand that his sword fell out of his hand, and yet he gave him another buffet upon the helm that he fell groveling to the earth, and the red knight fell over him for to hold him down. Then cried the maiden Lynette on high, Oh, Sir Bowmane, where has thy courage become? Alas, my lady, my sister, beholdeth thee, and she sobbeth and weepeth, that maketh mine heart heavy. When Sir Bowmane heard her say so, he abrayed up, and with a great might, and gat him upon his feet, and lightly he leapt to his sword, and gripped it in his hand, and doubled his pace unto the red knight, and there they fought a new battle together. But Sir Bowmane then doubled his strokes, and smote so thick that he smote the sword out of his hand, and then he smote him upon his helm that he fell to the earth, and Sir Bowmane fell upon him and unlaced his helm to have slain him, and then he yielded him, and asked mercy, and said with a loud voice, Oh, noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy. Then Sir Bowmane bethought him upon the knights that he had made to be hanged shamefully, and then he said, I may not with my worship save thy life, for the shameful deaths that thou hast caused many full good knights to die. Sir said the red knight of the red lands, hold your hand, and you shall know the causes why I put them to so shameful a death. Say on, said Sir Bowmane. Sir, I loved once a lady, a fair damsel, and she had her brother slain, and she said it was Sir Lancelot de Lake, or else Sir Gawain, and she prayed me, is that I loved her heartily, that I would make her a promise by the faith of my knighthood, for to labour daily in arms until I met with one of them, and all that I might overcome I should put them unto a villainous death, and this is the cause that I have put all these knights to death, and so I ensured her to do all the villainy unto King Arthur's knights, and that I should take vengeance upon all these knights. And, Sir, now I will tell thee that every day my strength increases till noon, and all this time have I, by seven men's strength. Chapter 18 Then came there many earls and barons and noble knights, and prayed that night to save his life, and to take him to your prisoner, and all they fell upon their knees, and prayed him of mercy that he would save his life. And, Sir, they all said it were fairer of him to take homage and fealty, and let him hold his lands of you than for to slay him. By his death ye shall have none advantage, and his misdeeds that be done may not be undone, and therefore he shall make amends to all parties, and we all will become your men, and do you homage and fealty. Fair Lord Sidbomain, which ye well, I am full loath to slay this night, nevertheless he hath done passing ill and shamefully. But in so much all that he did was at a lady's request, I blame him the less. And so for your sake I will release him, that he shall have his life upon this covenant, that he go within the castle and yield him there to the lady, and if she will forgive him and quit him, I will well. With this he may cure amends of all the trust pass he hath done against her and her lands. And also when that is done, that ye go into the court of King Arthur, and there that ye ask Sir Lancelot to mercy and Sir Gawain, for the evil will ye have had against them. Sir said the red knight of the red lands, all this will I do as ye command, and sicker assurance and borrows ye shall have. And so then when the assurance was made, he made his homage and fealty, and all those earls and barons with him. And then the maiden Lynette came to Sir Bowmane and unarmed him and searched his wounds and stinted his blood, and in likewise she did to the red knight of the red lands. And there they sojourned ten days in their tents, and the red knight made his lords and servants to do all the pleasure that they might unto Sir Bowmane. And so within a while the red knight of the red lands yeed unto the castle, and put him in her grace. And so she received him upon sufficient surety, so all her hurts were well restored of all that she could complain. And then he departed unto the court of King Arthur, and there openly the red knight of the red lands put him in the mercy of Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain. And there he told openly how he was overcome and by whom, and also he told all the battles from the beginning unto the ending. Ye zoo mercy, said King Arthur unto Sir Gawain, we marvel much of what blood he has come, for he is a noble knight. Have you no marvel, said Sir Lancelot, for ye shall write well wit that he has come of a full noble blood, and as for his might and hardiness there be but few now living that is so mighty as he is, and so noble of prowess. It's emeth by you, said King Arthur, that ye know his name, and from whence he has come and of what blood he is. I suppose I do so, said Lancelot, or else I would not have given him the order of knighthood. But he gave me such charge at that time that I should never discover him, until he required me, or else it be known openly by some other. CHAPTER 19 Now turn me unto Sir Bowmane that desired of Lynette that he might see her sister, his lady. Sir, she said, I would feign ye saw her. Then Sir Bowmane all armed him and took his horse and his spear, and rode straight unto the castle, and when he came to the gate he found there many men armed, and pulled up the drawbridge, and drew the port close. Then marveled he why they would not suffer him to enter, and then he looked up to the window, and there he saw the fair Lynette that said on high, Go thy way, Sir Bowmane, for as yet thou shalt not have holding my love unto the time that thou be called one of the number of the worthy knights, and therefore go labour and worship this twelve month, and then thou shalt hear new tidings. Alas, fair lady, said Bowmane, I have not deserved that ye should show me this strangeness, and I had weened that I should have right good cheer with you, and unto my power I have deserved thank, and well I am sure I have bought your love with the part of the best blood within my body. CHAPTER 20 Fair courteous knight, said Dame Lynette, be not displeased, nor over hasty, for with you well your great travail nor good love shall not be lost, for I consider your great travail and labour your bounty and your goodness as me ought to do, and therefore go on your way and look that ye be of good comfort, for all shall be for your worship and for the best, and per day a twelve month will soon be done, and trust me, fair knight, I shall be true to you, and never to betray you, but to my death I shall love you and none other, and therewithal she turned her from the window, and Sir Bowmane rode awayward from the castle, making great dole. And so he rode here and there, and wist not where he rode, till it was dark night, and then it happened him to come to a poor man's house, and there he was harbored all that night. But Sir Bowmane had no rest, but wallowed and writhed for the love of the lady of the castle. And so upon the morrow he took his horse, and rode until Undern, and then he came to a broad water, and thereby was a great lodge, and there he alighted to sleep, and latest head upon the shield, and betook his horse to the dwarf, and commanded him to watch all night. Now turn me to the lady of the same castle, that thought much upon Bowmane, and then she called unto her Sir Gringamore, her brother, and prayed him in all manner, as he loved her heartily, that he would ride after Sir Bowmane. And ever have ye wait upon him, till ye may find him sleeping, for I am sure in his heaviness he will alight down in some place, and lie him down to sleep. And therefore have ye your way upon him, and in the previous manner ye can take his dwarf, and go ye your way with him as fast as ever ye may, or Sir Bowmane awake. For my sister Lynette telleth me, that he can tell of what kindred he has come, and what is his right name, and the meanwhile I and my sister will ride unto your castle to await, when ye bring with you the dwarf. And then when ye have brought him unto your castle, I will have him in examination myself. Unto the time that I know what is his right name, and of what kindred he has come, shall I never be merry at my heart. Sister, said Sir Gringamore, all this shall be done after your intent. And so he rode all the other day unto the night, till that he found Sir Bowmane lying by a water, and his head upon his shield for to sleep. And then when he saw Sir Bowmane fast to sleep, he came stillly, stalking, behind the dwarf, and plucked him fast under his arm, and so he rode away with him as fast as ever he might unto his own castle. And the Sir Gringamore's arms were all black, and that to him longeth. But ever has he rode with the dwarf toward his castle, he cried unto his lord, and prayed him of help. And therewith awoke Sir Bowmane, and up he leapt lightly, and saw where Sir Gringamore rode away with the dwarf, and so Sir Gringamore rode out of his sight. CHAPTER XX Then Sir Bowmane put on his helm and on, and buckled his shield, and took his horse, and rode after him all that ever he might ride, through marshes and fields and great dales, that many times his horse and he plunged over the head in deep mires, for he knew not the way, but took the gainest way in that woodness, that many times he was like to perish. And at the last him happened to come to a fair green way, and there he met with a poor man of the country whom he saluted, and asked him whether he met not with a knight upon a black horse, and all black harness, and a little dwarf sitting behind him with heavy cheer. CHAPTER XX Sir said the poor man, here by me came Sir Gringamore the knight, with such a dwarf mourning, as he say, and therefore I read you not follow him, for he is one of the perilous knights of the world, and his castle is here, nigh hand but two mile, therefore we advise you ride not after Sir Gringamore, but if he owe him good will. So leave we Sir Boh-Main riding toward the castle, and speak we of Sir Gringamore and the dwarf. Anon as the dwarf was come to the castle, Dame Lyonesse and Dame Lynette, her sister, asked the dwarf, where was his master born, and of what lineage he was come? And but if thou tell me, said Dame Lyonesse, thou shalt never escape this castle, but ever here to be prisoner. As for that, said the dwarf, I fear not greatly to tell his name, and of what kin he has come. With you well, he is a king's son, and his mother is sister to King Arthur, and he is brother to the good knight Sir Boh-Main, and his name is Sir Gareth of Orkney. And now I have told you his right name, I pray you, fair lady, let me go to my lord again, for he will never out of this country until that he have me again, and if he be angry he will do much harm, or that he be stent, and work you rack in this country. As for that, threatening, said Sir Gringamore, be it as it be may, we will go to dinner. And so they washed and went to meet, and made them merry and well at ease, and because the Lady Lyonesse of the castle was there they made great joy. Truly madam, said Lynette unto her sister, well may he be a king's son, for he hath many good tatches on him, for he is courteous and mild, and the most suffering man that ever I met with all. For I dare say there was never gentle woman reviled man in so foul a manner as I have rebuked him, and at all times he gave me goodly and meek answers again. And as they sat thus talking, there came Sir Gareth in at the gate, with an angry countenance, and his sword drawn in his hand, and cried aloud with all the castle might hear it, saying, Thou traitor, Sir Gringamore, deliver me my dwarf again, or by the faith that I owe to the order of knighthood I shall do the all the harm that I can. Then Sir Gringamore looked out at a window, and said, Sir Gareth of Horkney, leave thy boasting words, for thou getest not thy dwarf again. Thou coward knight, said Sir Gareth, bring him with thee, and come and do battle with me, and win him and take him. So will I do, said Sir Gringamore, on me list, but for all thy great words thou getest him not. Ah, fair brother, said Dame Leanness, I would he had his dwarf again, for I would he were not wroth. For now he hath told me all my desire, I keep no more of the dwarf. And also, brother, he hath done much for me, and delivered me from the red night of the red lands, and therefore, brother, I owe him my service before all knights living, and would he wail that I love him before all other, and full feign I would speak with him. But in no wise I would that he wist what I were, but that I were another strange lady. Well, said Sir Gringamore, sit then I know now your will, I will obey now unto him. And right there with all he went down unto Sir Gareth, and said, Sir, I cry you mercy, and all that I have misdone I will amend it at your will, and therefore I pray you that you would alight, and take such cheers I can make you in this castle. Shall I have my dwarf, said Sir Gareth? Yea, sir, and all the pleasant that I can make you. For as soon as your dwarf told me what ye were, and of what blood ye are come, and what noble deeds ye have done in these marches, then I repented of my deeds. And then Sir Gareth alighted, and there came his dwarf, and took his horse. Oh, my fellow, said Sir Gareth, I have had many adventures for thy sake. And so Sir Gringamore took him by the hand, and led him into the hall where his own wife was. CHAPTER XXI. And then came forth Dame Leonese, arrayed like a princess, and there she made him pass in good cheer, and he her again, and they had goodly language and lovely countenance together. And Sir Gareth thought, many times, Yezu would that the lady of the castle perilous were so fair as she was. There were all manner of games and plays and dancing and singing, and ever the more Sir Gareth beheld that lady, the more he loved her, and so he burned in love that he was past himself in his reason, and forth toward night they yeet unto supper, and Sir Gareth might not eat, for his love was so hot that he whisked not where he was. All these looks aspired Sir Gringamore, and then at after supper he called his sister Dame Leonese into a chamber, and said, Fair sister, I have well aspired your countenance betwixt you and this night, and I will sister that ye wit, he is a full noble night, and if he can make him to abide here I will do him all the pleasure that I can. For on ye were better than ye are, ye were well bewirried upon him. Fair brother, said Dame Leonese, I understand well that the night is good, and come he is of a noble house. Notwithstanding I will assay him better, how be it I am most beholden to him of any earthly man, for he hath had great labour for my love, and passed many a dangerous passage. Right so Sir Gringamore went unto Sir Gareth, and said, Sir make ye good cheer, for ye shall have none other cause, for this lady, my sister, is yours at all times, her worship saved. For witty well she loveth you, as well as ye do her, and better if better may be. On I whisked that, said Sir Gareth, there lived not a gladder man than I would be. Upon my worship, said Sir Gringamore, trust unto my promise, and as long as it likeeth you, ye shall sojourn with me, and this lady shall be with us daily, and nightly to make you all the cheer that she can. I will well, said Sir Gareth, for I have promised to be nigh this country this twelve-month, and well I am sure King Arthur and other noble knights will find me where that I am within this twelve month, for I shall be sought and found if that I be alive. And then the noble knight Sir Gareth went unto the Dame Leonese, which he then much loved, and kissed her many times, and either made great joy of other, and there she promised him her love certainly to love him and none other the days of her life. Then this lady, Dame Leonese, by the assent of her brother, told Sir Gareth all the truth, what she was, and how she was the same lady that he did battle for, and how she was the lady of the castle perilous, and there she told him how she caused her brother to take away his dwarf for this cause, to know the certainty, what was your name, and of what kin ye were come. End of Book 7, Chapter 17-21, Volume 1 of L'Amour d'Artour by Sir Thomas Mallory. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. L'Amour d'Artour, Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory, Book 7, Chapter 22-26, Chapter 22, And then she let fetch to fore it a damsel that had ridden with him many while some ways. Then was Sir Gareth more gladder than he was to fore, and then they trothplied each other to love, and never to fail whilst their life lasteth, and so they burned both in love that they were corded to obey their lusts secretly, There Dame Lioness counseled Sir Gareth to sleep in none other place but in the hall, and there she promised him to come to his bed a little before midnight. This counsel was not so prively kept, but it was understood, for they were but young both, and tender of age, and had not used none such crafts to fore. Wherefore the damsel Linnet was a little displeased, and she thought her sister Dame Lioness was a little overhasty, that she might not abide the time of her marriage, and for saving their worship she thought to abate their hot lusts, and so she let ordain by her subtle crafts that they had not their intents neither with other, as in their delights until they were married, and so it passed on, and after supper was made clean avoidance, that every lord and lady should go unto his rest. But Sir Gareth said plainly he would go no farther than the hall, for in such places, he said, was convenient for an errant night to take his rest in, and so there were ordain great couches, and thereon featherbeds, and there laid him down to sleep, and within a while came Dame Lioness, wrapped in a mantle-furred with ermine, and laid her down beside Sir Gareth. And there with all he began to kiss her, and then he looked for him, and there he perceived, and saw come an armed night with many lights about him, and this night had a long giss arm in his hand, and made grim countenance to smite him. And Sir Gareth saw him come in that wise, he leapt out of his bed, and got in his hand his sword, and lept straight toward that night, and when the night saw Sir Gareth come so fiercely upon him, he smote him with a foin, through the thick of the thigh, that the wound was a shaft-moon broad, and had cut at too many veins and sinews. And there with all Sir Gareth smote him upon the helm such a buffet that he felt groveling, and then he lept over him, and unlaced his helm, and smote off his head from the body. And then he bled so fast that he might not stand, but so he laid him down upon his bed, and there he swooned, and lay as he had been dead. The Dame Lioness cried aloud, that her brother Sir Gringham or Hurd, and came down. And when he saw Sir Gareth so shamefully wounded, he was sore-displeased, and said, I am shame that this noble night is thus honoured, Sir, said Sir Gringham or Hurd, how may this be that you be here, and this noble night wounded? Brother she said, I cannot tell you, for it was not done by me, nor by mine ascent, for he is my lord, and I am his, and he must be mine husband, therefore my brother, I will that ye with it, I shame me not to be with him, nor to do him all the pleasure that I can. Sister said Sir Gringham or Hurd, and I will that ye with it, and Sir Gareth both, that it was never done by me, nor by my ascent, that this unhappy deed was done. And there they staunch his bleeding as well as they might, and great sorrow made Sir Gringham or Hurd and Dame Lioness. And forthwith all came Dame Lynet, and took up the head in the sight of them all, and anointed it with an ointment, there as it was smitten off, and in the same wise she did to the other part there as the head stuck, and then she set it together, and it stuck as fast as ever it did. And the night arose lightly up, and the damsel Lynet put him in her chamber. All this saw Sir Gringham or Hurd and Dame Lioness, and so did Sir Gareth, and well he spied that it was the damsel Lynet that drove with him through the perilius passages. Ah well, damsel said Sir Gareth, I weaned ye would not have done as ye have done. My Lord Gareth said Lynet, all that I have done I will avow, and all that I have done shall be for your honour and worship, and to us all. And so within a while Sir Gareth was nigh-whole, and waxed lights, and jockoned, and sang, danced, and gamed, and he and Dame Lioness were so hot in burning love that they made their covenant at the tenth night after, that she should come to his bed, and because he was wounded afore he laid his armour and his sword nigh his bedside. Chapter 23 Right as she promised she came, and she was not so soon in his bed, but she spied an armed night coming toward the bed. Therewith all she warned Sir Gareth, and lightly through the good help of Dame Lioness he was armed, and they hurtled together with great ire and malice, all about the whole, and there was great lights as it had been the number of twenty torches both before and behind, so that Sir Gareth strained him, so that his old wound braced again a bleeding. But he was hot and courageous, and took no keep, but with his great force he struck down that night, and void his helm, and struck off his head. Then he hewed the head in a hundred pieces, and when he had done so he took up all those pieces, and threw them out at a window into the ditches of the castle, and by this done he was so feigned that, uneathless, he might stand for bleeding, and by when he was almost unarmed he fell in a deadly swung on the floor, and then Dame Lioness cried so that Sir Gringham or heard, and when he came and found Sir Gareth in that plight he made great sorrow, and there he awaked Sir Gareth, and gave him a drink that relieved him wonderfully well. But the sorrow that Dame Lioness made there may no tongue tell, for she so fared with herself as she would have died. Right so came this damsel Linnet before them all, and she had fetched all the gobbets of the head that Sir Gareth had thrown out at a window, and there she anointed them as she had done to four, and set them together again. Well, Dame Sir Linnet said Sir Gareth, I have not assert all this despite that ye do unto me. Sir Knight she said, I have nothing done but I will amow, and all that I have done shall be to your worship, and to us all. And then was Sir Gareth staunched of his bleeding. But the leech she said that there was no man that bade the life should heal him throughout his wound, but if they healed him that caused that stroke by enchantment. So leave we Sir Gareth there with Sir Gringhamor and his sisters, and turn we unto King Arthur, that at the next feast of Pentecost held his feast, and there came the Green Knight with fifty knights, and yielded them all unto King Arthur, and so there came the Red Knight, his brother, and yielded him to King Arthur, and three score knights with him. Also there came the Blue Knight, brother to them, with a hundred knights, and yielded them unto King Arthur. And the Green Knight's name was Pertulepe, and the Red Knight's name was Perimonus, and the Blue Knight's name was Sir Persant of Indy. These three brethren told King Arthur how they were overcome by knight that a domicile had with her, and called him Bumann. Jesus said the King, I marvel what knight is, and what lineage she's come. He was with me at twelve months, and poorly and shamefully he was fostered, and Sir Kay in scorn named him Bumann. So right as the King stood so talking with these three brethren, there came Sir Lancelot Dulac, and told the King that it was come a goodly lord with six hundred knights with him. Then the King went out of Carlyon, for there was the feast, and there came to him this lord and saluted the King in a goodly manner. What will ye, said King Arthur, and what is your errand? Sir, he said, my name is the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, but my name is Sir Ironside, and Sir Wittewell, here I am sent to you of a knight that is called Bumann, for he won me in plain battle hand for hand, and so did never know knight but he, that ever had the better of me this thirty winter, the witch commanded to yield me to you at your will. Ye are welcome, said the King, for ye have been long a great foe to me and my court, and now I trust to God I shall so entreat you that ye shall be my friend. Sir, both I and these five hundred knights shall always be at your summons to do your service as may lie in our powers. Jesus, mercy, said King Arthur, I much beholden unto that knight that hath put so his body in duvoire to worship me and my court, and as to thee Ironside, that are called the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, thou art called a Perilius Knight, and if thou wilt hold of me, I shall worship thee and make the Knight of the Table Round, but then thou must be no more murderer. Sir, as to that I have promised unto Sir Bumann, never more to use such customs, for all the shameful customs that I used I did at the request of a lady that I love, and therefore I must go unto Sir Lawnsalot and unto Sir Gavain, and ask them forgiveness of the evil will I had unto them, for all that I put to death was all only for the love of Sir Lawnsalot and of Sir Gavain. They be here now, said the King, afore thee, now may ye say to them what ye will, and then he kneel down unto Sir Lawnsalot and to Sir Gavain, and pray them a forgiveness of his enmity that ever he had against them. Chapter 24 Then goodly they said all at once, God forgive you, and we do, and pray you that ye will tell us where we may find Sir Bumann. Fair Lord, said Sir Ironside, I cannot tell you, for it is full heart to find him, for such young knights as he is one, when they be in their adventures be never abiding in no place. But to say the worship that the Red Knight of the Red Lawns and Sir Persant and his brother said of Bumann, it was marvel to hear. Well, my fair Lords, said King Arthur, which you well I shall do you honour for the love of Sir Bumann, and as soon as ever I meet him I shall make you all upon one day knights of the table round. And as to thee, Sir Persant of Inde, thou hast been ever called a full noble knight, and so have ever been thy three brethren called. But I marvel, said the King, that I hear not of the Black Knight, your brother, he was a full noble knight. Sir, said Pertulepe, the Green Knight, Sir Bumann slew him in a recounter with his spear, his name was Sir Persad. That was great pity, said the King, and so said many knights, for these four brethren were full well known in the court of King Arthur for noble knights. For long time they had holden war against the knights of the round table. Then, said Pertulepe, the Green Knight to the King. At a passage of the Water of Mortes, there encountered Sir Bumann with two brethren that ever for the most part kept that passage, and they were two deadly knights, and there he slew the eldest brother in the water, and smote him upon the head such a buffet that he fell down in the water, and there he was drowned, and his name was Sir Gerard Lebrus, and after he slew the other brother upon the land, his name was Sir Arnold Lebrus. Chapter 25 Note 3 In Caxton's edition this chapter is misnumbered 26, setting the numeration wrong to the end of the book. So then the King and they went to meet, and were served in the best manner, and as they sat at the meet there came in the Queen of Orkney, with ladies and knights a great number, and then Sir Gavain, Sir Agravain, and Gahery Sir Rose, and went to her and saluted her upon their knees, and asked her blessing, for in fifteen years they had not seen her. Then she spoke on high to her brother King Arthur. Where have you done my young son, Sir Gareth? He was here amongst you a twelve month, and ye made a kitchen-nave of him, the which is shamed to you all. Alas, where have you done my dear son, that was my joy and bliss? O dear mother, said Sir Gavain, I knew him not, nor I said the King, that now me repenteth, but thank be God he is proved a worshipful night, as any is now living of his years, and I shall never be glad till I may find him. Our brother, said the Queen, unto King Arthur, and unto Sir Gavain, and to all her sons, ye did yourself great shame, when ye amongst you kept my son in the kitchen, and fed him like a poor hog. Fair sister, said King Arthur, ye shall write well wit, I knew him not, nor no more did Sir Gavain, nor his brethren, but sithen it is so, said the King, that he is thus gone from us all, we must shape a remedy to find him. Also, sister, me seemeth ye might have done me to wit of his coming, and then, and I had not done well to him, ye might have blamed me. For when he came to this court, he came leaning upon two men's shoulders, as though he might not have gone, and then he asked me three gifts, and one he asked the same day, that was that I would give him meat enough, that twelve months, and the other two gifts he asked that day at twelve months, and that was that he might have the adventure of the damocel linen, and the third was that Sir Lonslott should make him night, when he decide him. And so I granted him all his desire, and many in this court marveled that he decided his sustenance for a twelve month, and thereby we deemed many of us, that he was not come, of a noble house. Sir, said the Queen of Orkney unto King Arthur her brother, wit ye well that I sent him unto you right well armed and horsed, and worshipfully be seen of his body, and gold and silver plenty to spend. It may be, said the King, but thereof so we none save that same day as he departed from us. Knights told me that there came a dwarf hither suddenly, and brought him armor and a good horse, full well and richly be seen, and there it we all had marvel from whence that riches came, that we deemed all that he was come of men of worship. Brother, said the Queen, all that ye say I believe. For ever since he was grown, he was marvelously witted, and ever he was faithful and true of his promise. But I marvel, said she, that Sir Kay did mock him and scorn him, and gave him that name Boman. Yet Sir Kay, said the Queen, named him more righteously than he weaned. For I dare say, and he be alive, he is as fair and handed man, and well disposed as any is living. Sir, said Arthur, let this language be still, and by the grace of God he shall be found, and he be within this seven realms, and let all this pass and be merry, for he is proved to be a man of worship, and that is my joy. Chapter 26 Then said Sir Gavain and his brethren unto Arthur, Sir, and ye will give us leave, we will go and seek our brother. Nay, said Sir Lancelot, that shall ye not need, and so said Sir Baldwin of Britain, for as by our advice the King shall send unto Dame Lyones a messenger, and pray her that she will come to the court in all haste that she may, and doubt ye not she will come, and then she may give you best counsel where ye shall find him. This is well said of you, said the King. So then goodly letters were made, and the messengers sent forth. That night and day he went till he came unto the castle Perylius, and then the lady Dame Lyones was sent for, there as she was with Sir Gringamore her brother and Sir Gareth. And when she understood this message, she bade him ride on his way unto King Arthur, and she would come after in all goodly haste. Then when she came to Sir Gringamore and to Sir Gareth, she told them all how King Arthur had sent for her. That is because of me, said Sir Gareth. Now advise me, said Dame Lyones, what shall I say, and in what manner I shall rule me? My lady, my love, said Sir Gareth, I pray you in no wise be ye a known where I am, but while I watch my mother is there, and all my brethren, and they will take upon them to seek me, I what well that they do. But this, madame, I would ye said and advise the King when he questioned with you of me. Then may ye say, this is your advice, that an it like his good grace, ye will do make a cry against the feast of the assumption of our lady, that what night there proves him best, he shall wield you and all your land. And if so be that he be an wedded man, that his wife shall have the degree, and a coronal of gold beset with stones of virtue to the value of a thousand pound, and a white gerfalkon. So Dame Lyones departed and came to King Arthur, where she was nobly received, and there she was all questioned of the King and of the Queen of Orkney, and she answered where Sir Gareth was she could not tell, but thus much she said unto Arthur, Sir, I will it cry a tournament that shall be done before my castle at the assumption of our lady, and the cry shall be this, that you, my Lord Arthur, shall be there, and your knights, and I will purvey that my knights shall be against yours, and then I'm sure you shall hear of Sir Gareth. This is well advised, said King Arthur, and so she departed, and the King and she made great provision to that tournament. When the Dame Lyones was come back to the Isle of Avillion, that was the same Isle there as her brother Sir Gringamor Dwelt, then she told them all how she had done, and what promise she had made to King Arthur. Alas, said Sir Gareth, I have been so wounded with unhappiness sithen, I came into this castle, that I shall not be able to do at that tournament like a night, for I was never thoroughly whole since I was heard. Be ye of good share, said the Dame Sir Linnet, for I undertake within these fifteen days to make ye whole, and as lusty as ever ye were. And then she laid an ointment and a salve to him, as it pleased to her, that he was never so fresh, nor so lusty. Then said the Dame Sir Linnet, send you unto Sir Percent of Indy, and summon him and his knights to be here with you, as they have promised. Also that he send unto Sir Ironside, that is the red knight of the Red Lawns, and charge him that he be ready with you with his whole sum of knights, and then shall ye be able to match with King Arthur and his knights. So this was done, and all knights were sent for unto the castle Perylius. And then the red knight answered and said unto the Dame Linnet and to Sir Gareth, Madam and my Lord Sir Gareth, ye shall understand that I have been at the court of King Arthur, and Sir Percent of Indy and his brethren, and there we have done our homage as ye commanded us. Also, Sir Ironside said, I have taken upon me with Sir Percent of Indy and his brethren to hold part against my Lord, Sir Lawnsulot, and the knights of that court. And this have I done for the love of my Lady, Dame Lyones, and you, my Lord Sir Gareth. Ye have well done, said Sir Gareth, but will you well, ye shall be full sore matched with the most noble knights of the world. Therefore we must purvey us of good knights, where we may get them. That is well said, said Sir Percent, and worshipfully. And so the cry was made in England, Wales and Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, and in all the out isles, and in Brittany, and in many countries, that at the feast of our Lady the assumption next coming, men should come to the castle Perylius, beside the Isle of Avillion, and there all the knights that there came should have the choice, whether them list to be on the one party with the knights of the castle or on the other party with King Arthur. And two months was to the day that the tournament should be. And so there came many good knights that were at their large, and held them for the most part against King Arthur and his knights of the round table, and came in the side of them of the castle. For Sir Epinogrus was the first, and he was the king's son of Northumberland, and Sir Palamides the Saracen was another, and Sir Saffari his brother, and Sir Sigurides his brother, but they were christened, and Sir Malagrin another, and Sir Brian de Lisille a noble knight, and Sir Gramor Gramorsam a good knight of Scotland, and Sir Cardos of the Dolores Tower a noble knight, and Sir Turkin his brother, and Sir Arnold and Sir Gauter two brethren, good knights of Cornwall. There came Sir Tristram de Leonés, and with him Sir Dinas the Seneschal and Sir Sado, but this Sir Tristram was not at that time knight of the table round, but he was one of the best knights of the world, and so all these noble knights accompanied them with the lady of the castle, and with the red knight of the red lawns, but as for Sir Gareth he would not take upon him more, but as other mean knights. In the book 7 chapters 22 to 26 of L'Emore d'Artour by Thomas Mallory, read by Lors Rolander.