 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 Tamriel from Godbox Cafe. Le Mord d'Artur, Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory, Book 5, Chapters 1-5. When King Arthur had after long war rested and held a royal feast and table round with his allies of kings, princes and noble knights, all of the round table, there came into his hall he sitting in his throne royal, twelve ancient men bearing each of them a branch of olive in token that they came as ambassadors and messengers from the Emperor Lucius which was called at that time dictator or procurer of the public wheel of Rome which said messengers after their entering and coming into the presence of King Arthur did to him their obeisance in making to him reverence and said to him in this wise the high and mighty Emperor Lucius sendeth to the King of Britain greeting commanding thee to acknowledge him for thy Lord and to send him the Troyes do of this realm unto the Empire which thy father and other to four thy precessors have paid as is of record and thou as rebel not knowing him as thy sovereign withholdest and retainest contrary to the statutes and decrees made by the noble and worthy Julius Caesar conqueror of this realm and first Emperor of Rome and if thou refuse his demand and commandment know thou for certain that he shall make strong war against the thy realms and lands and shall chastise the and thy subjects that it shall be in sample perpetual unto all kings and princes for to deny their Troyes unto that noble Empire which domineth upon the universal world then when they had showed the effect of their message the King commanded them to withdraw them and said he should take advice of counsel and give to them an answer then some of the young knights hearing this their message would have run on them to have slain them saying that it was a rebuke to all the knights there being present to suffer them to say so to the King and anon the King commanded that none of them upon pain of death to mis-say them nor do them any harm and commanded a knight to bring them to their lodging and see that they had all that is necessary and requisite for them with the best cheer and that no dainty be spared for the Romans be great lords and though their message please me not nor my court yet I must remember my honor after this the King let call all his lords and knights of the round table to counsel upon this matter and desired them to say their advice then Circador of Cornwall spake first and said sir this message likeeth me well for we have many days rested us and have been idle and now I hope you shall make sharp war on the Romans where I doubt not we shall get honor I believe well said Arthur that this matter pleases thee well but these answers may not be answered for the demand grieve with me soar for truly I will never pay Truage to Rome wherefore I pray you to counsel me I have understood that bulliness and brennious Kings of Britain have had the Empire in their hands many days and also Constantine the son of Helene which is an open evidence that we owe no tribute to Rome but of right we that be descended of them have right to claim the title of the Empire Chapter 2 then answered King Anguish of Scotland sir you ought of right to be above all other Kings for unto you is none like nor Parae in Christendom of knighthood nor of dignity and I counsel you never to obey the Romans for when they reigned on us they distressed our elders and put this land to great extortions and tallies wherefore I make here mine of out avenge me on them and for to strengthen your quarrel I shall furnish twenty thousand good men of war and wage them on my costs which shall await on you with myself when it shall please you and the King of little Britain granted him to the same thirty thousand wherefore King Arthur thanked them and then every man agreed to make war and to aid after their power that is to wit the Lord of West Wales promised to bring thirty thousand men and Sir Uain Sir Eider his son with their cousins promised to bring thirty thousand then Sir Lancelot with all other promised in likewise every man a great multitude and when King Arthur understood their courage is in good wills he thanked them heartily and after let call the ambassadors to hear their answer and in presence of all his Lords and Knights he said to them in this wise I will that ye return unto your Lord and procurer of the common wheel of for the Romans and say to him of his demand and commandment I set nothing and that I know of no Truage nor tribute that I owe to him nor to none earthly prince Christian nor heathen but I pretend to have and occupy the sovereignty of the Empire wherein I am entitled by the right of my predecessors some time Kings of this land and say to him that I am delivered and fully concluded to go with mine army with strength and power and to Rome by the grace of God to take possession in the Empire and subdued them that be rebel wherefore I command him and all them of Rome that incontinent they make to me their homage and to acknowledge me for their emperor and governor upon pain that shall ensue and then he commanded his treasurer to give to them great and large gifts and to pay all their dispenses and assigned circador to convey them out of the land and so they took their leave and departed and took their shipping at sandwich and passed forth by Flanders, Almain, the mountains and all Italy until they came unto Lucius and after the reverence made they made relation of their answer like as ye to four have heard when the Emperor Lucius had well understood their credence he was sore moved as he had been all a raged and said I had supposed that Arthur would have obeyed to my commandment and have served you himself as him well be seemed or any other King to do oh sir said one of the Senators let be such vain words for we let you wit that I and my fellows were full sore of fear to behold his countenance I fear me ye have made a rod for yourself for ye intendeth to be Lord of this Empire which soar is to be doubted if he come for he is all another man than ye wean and holdeth the most noble court of the world all other kings nor princes may not compare unto this noble maintenance on New Year's Day we saw him in his estate which was the royalist that ever we saw for he was served at his table with nine kings and the noblest fellowship of other princes lords and knights that be in the world and every night approved and like a Lord and holdeth table round and in his person the most manly man that liveth and is like to conquer all the world for unto his courage it is too little wherefore I advise you to keep well your marches and straits in the mountains for certainly he is a Lord to be doubted well said Lucius before Easter I suppose to pass the mountains and so forth into France and there bereave him his lands with Genoese and other mighty warriors of Tuscany and Lombardy and I shall send for them all that be subjects and allied to the Empire of Rome to come to my aid and forthwith sent old wives knights unto these countries following first to Ambarj and Araj to Alexandria to India to Armenia whereas the river of Euphrates runneth into Asia to Africa and Europe the lords to Ertein and Elamye to Arabi Egypt and to Damascus to Damietta and Caer to Cappadocia to Tarsus Turkey Pontus and Pamphylia to Syria and Galatia and all these were subjects Rome and many more as Greece Cyprus Macedonia Calabria Catelynd Portugal with many thousands of Spaniards thus all these kings dukes and admirals assembled about Rome with sixteen kings at once with great multitude of people when the emperor understood their coming he made ready his Romans and all the people between him and Flanders also he had gotten with him fifty giants which had been engendered of fiends and they were ordained to guard his person and to break the front of the battle of King Arthur and thus departed from Rome and came down the mountains for to destroy the lands that Arthur had conquered and came unto Cologne and besieged a castle there by and won it soon and stuffed it with two hundred Saracens or infidels and after destroyed many fair countries which Arthur had won of King Claudus and thus Lucius came with all his host which were disperplied sixty mile in breadth and commanded them to meet with him in Burgogne for he purposed to destroy the realm of Little Britain Chapter 3 Now leave we of Lucius the Emperor and speak we of King Arthur that commanded all them of his retinue to be ready at the utas of Hillary for to hold a parliament at York and at that parliament was concluded to arrest all the navy of the land and to be ready within fifteen days at Sandwich and there he showed to his army how he purposed to conquer the empire which he ought to have of right and there he ordained two governors of this realm that is to say Sir Bowdoin of Britain for to counsel to the best and Sir Constantine, son to Sir Cador of Cornwall which after the death of Arthur was king of this realm and in the presence of all his lords he re-signed the rule of the realm and Guinevere his queen to them wherefore Sir Lancelot was wroth for he left Sir Tristram with King Mark for the love of Bael is old then the Queen Guinevere made great sorrow for the departing of her lord and other and swooned in such wise that the ladies bear her into her chamber thus the king with his great army departed leaving the queen and realm in the governance of Sir Bowdoin and Constantine and when he was on his horse he said with a high voice if I die in this journey I will that Sir Constantine be mine heir and king crowned of this realm as next of my blood and after departed and entered into the sea at Sandwich with all his army with a great multitude of ships, galleys, cogs and drum-ons sailing on the sea Chapter 4 And as the king lay in his cabin in the ship he fell in a slumbering and dreamed a marvellous dream him seemed that a dreadful dragon did drown much of his people and he came flying out of the west and his head was enameled with azure and his shoulders shone as gold, his belly like mails of a marvellous hue his tail full of tatters, his feet full of fine sable and his claws like fine gold and an hideous flame of fire flew out of his mouth like as the land and water had flamed all of fire after him seemed there came out of the orient a grimly bore all black in a cloud and his paws as big as a post he was rugged looking roughly he was the foulest beast that ever man saw he roared and rommed so hideously that it were marvell to hear then the dreadful dragon advanced him and came in the wind like a falcon giving great strokes on the bore and the bore hit him again with his grisly tusks that his breast was all bloody and that the hot blood made all the sea red of his blood then the dragon flew away all on a height and came down with such a swath and smote the bore on the ridge which was ten foot large from the head to the tail and smote the bore all to powder both flesh and bones that it flittered all abroad on the sea and therewith the king awoke anon and was sore abashed of this dream and sent an on for a wise philosopher commanding to tell him the significance of his dream Sir, said the philosopher the dragon that thou dreamt stuff betokeneth thine own person that sailors tear and the colours of his wings be thy realms that thou hast won and his tail which is all too tattered signifyeth the noble knights of the round table and the bore that the dragon slew coming from the clouds betokeneth some tyrant that tormenteth the people or else thou art like to fight with some giant thyself being horrible and abominable whose peer ye saw never in your days wherefore of this dreadful dream doubt thee nothing but as a conqueror come forth thyself then after this soon they had sight of land and sailed till they arrived at Barflit in Flanders and when they were there he found many of his great lords ready as they had been commanded to wait upon him Chapter 5 then came to him an husbandman of the country and told him how there was in the country of Constantine beside Brittany a great giant which had slain murdered and devoured much people of the country and had been sustained seven year with the children of the commons of that land in so much that all the children be all slain and destroyed and now late he hath taken the Duchess of Brittany as she rode with Hermione and hath led her to his lodging which is in a mountain for to ravish and lie by her to her life's end and many people followed her more than five hundred but all they might not rescue her but they left her shrieking and crying lamentably wherefore I suppose that he hath slain her in fulfilling his foul lust of luxury she was wife unto thy cousins or howl whom we call full nigh of thy blood now as thou art a rightful king have pity on this lady and revenge us all as thou art a noble conqueror alas said King Arthur this is a great mischief I had leafer then the best realm that I have that I had been a furlong way to for him for to have rescued that lady now fellow, said King Arthur canst thou bring me there as this giant haunteth ye sir, said the good man look yonder whereas thou seeest those two great fires there shalt thou find him and more treasure than I suppose is in all France when the king had understood this piteous case he returned into his tent then he called to him Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere and commanded them secretly to make ready horse and harness for himself and them twain for after even song he would ride on pilgrimage with them two only unto Saint Michael's Mount and then anon he made him ready and armed him at all points and took his horse and shield and so they three departed thence and rode forth as fast as ever they might till that they came to the foreland of that mount and there they alighted and the king commanded them to tarry there for he would himself go up into that mount and so he ascended up into that hill till he came to a great fire and there he found a careful widow ringing her hands and making great sorrow sitting by a grave new maid and then King Arthur saluted her and demanded of her wherefore she made such lamentation to whom she answered and said Sir Knight speak soft for yonder is a devil if he hear thee speak he will come and destroy thee I hold thee unhappy what does thou hear in this mountain for if ye were such fifty years ye be ye were not able to make resistance against this devil here lieth a duchess dead the witch was the fairest of all the world wife to Sir Howell Duke of Brittany he hath murdered her enforcing her and hath slit her unto the naval Dame said the king I come from the noble conqueror King Arthur for to treat with that tyrant for his liege people for I on such treaties said she he said it not by the king nor by no man else but an if thou hath brought Arthur's wife Dame Guinevere he shall be gladder than thou hath given to him half France beware approach him not to nigh for he hath vanquished fifteen kings and hath made him a coat full of precious stones embroidered with their beards which they sent him to have his love for salvation of their people at this last Christmas and if thou wilt speak with him at yonder great fire at supper well said Arthur I will accomplish my message for all your fearful words and went forth by the crest of that hill and saw where he sat at supper gnawing on a limb of a man baking his broad limbs by the fire and breechless and three fair damsels turning three broaches whereon were broached twelve young children late born like young birds when King Arthur beheld that piteous sight he had great compassion on them so that his heart bled for sorrow and hailed him saying in this wise he that all the world wieldeth give thee short life and shameful death and the devil have thy soul why hast thou murdered these young innocent children and murdered this duchess therefore arise and dress thee thou glutton for this day shall thou die of my hand then the glutton anon started up and took a great club in his hand and smote at the king that his coronal fell to the earth and the king hit him again that he carved his belly and cut off his genitors that his guts and his entrails fell down to the ground then the giant threw away his club and caught the king in his arms that he crushed his ribs then the three maidens kneeled down and called to Christ for help and comfort of Arthur and then Arthur weltered and rung he was other while under and another time above and so weltering and wallowing they rolled down the hill till they came to the sea-mark and ever as they so weltered Arthur smote him with his dagger and it fortune'd they came to the place where as the two knights were and kept Arthur's horse then when they saw the king fast in the giant's arms they came and loosed him and then the king commanded Sir Kay to smite off the giant's head to set it upon a truncheon of a spear and bear it to Sir Howell and tell him that his enemy was slain and after let this head be bound to a Barbican that all the people may see and behold it and go ye to up to the mountain and fetch me my shield, my sword and the club of iron and as for the treasure, take ye it for ye shall find their goods out of number so I have the kirtle and the club I desire no more this was the fiercest giant that ever I met with save one in the mountain of Araby which I overcame but this was greater and fiercer then the knights fetched the club and the kirtle and some of the treasure they took to themselves and returned again to the host and anon this was known through all the country wherefore the people came and thanked the king and he said again give the thanks to God and depart the goods among you and after that king Arthur said and commanded his cousin Howell that he should ordain for a church to be builded on the same hill in the worship of St. Michael and on the mourn the king removed with his great battle and came into Champagne in a valley and there they piked their tents and the king being set at his dinner there came in two messengers of whom that one was marshal of France and said to the king that the emperor was entered into France and had destroyed a great part and was in Burgogne and had destroyed and made great slaughter of people and burnt towns and burrows wherefore if thou come not hastily end of book 5 chapters 1 to 5 recording by Tamriel of godboxcafe.com book 5 chapters 6 through 9 volume 1 of Le Morte d'Arthur this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sarah Williams Le Morte d'Arthur volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory book 5 chapter 6 through 9 chapter 6 how King Arthur sent Sir Gawain and other to Lucius and how they were assailed and escaped with worship then the king did do call Sir Gawain, Sir Boers, Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere and commanded them to go straight to Sir Lucius and say ye to him that hastily he remove out of my land and if he will not bid him make ready to battle and not distress the poor people then and on these noble knights dressed them to horseback and when they came to the green wood they saw many pavilions set in a meadow of silk of diverse colors beside a river and the emperor's pavilion was in the middle with an eagle displayed above to the witch tent our knights rode toward and ordained Sir Gawain and Sir Boers to do the message and left in a bushment Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere and then Sir Gawain and Sir Boers did their message and commanded Lucius in Arthur's name to avoid his land or shortly to address him to battle to whom Lucius answered and said ye shall return to your lord and say ye to him that I shall subdue him and all his lands then Sir Gawain was wroth and said I had lifer than all France fight against thee and so had I said Sir Boers lifer than all Brittany or Burgoyne then a knight named Sir Gainus nigh cousin to the emperor said lo how these Britons be full of pride and boast and they brag as though they bear up all the world then Sir Gawain was sore grieved with these words and pulled out his sword and smote off his head and therewith turned their horses and rode over waters and through woods till they came to their bushment whereas Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere were hoving the Romans followed fast after on horseback and on foot over a champagne and to a wood then Sir Boers turned his horse and saw a knight coming fast on whom he smote through the body with the spear that he fell dead down to the earth then came Caliburn one of the strongest of Pavey and smote down many of Arthur's knights and when Sir Boers saw him do so much harm he addressed towards him and smote him through the breast that he fell down dead to the earth then Sir Feldenac thought to revend the death of Gainus upon Sir Gawain but Sir Gawain was wear thereof and smote him on the head which stroke stinted not till it came to his breast and then he returned and came to his fellows in the bushment and there was a recounter for the bushment break on the Romans and slew and hewed down the Romans and forced the Romans to flee and return whom the noble knights chased unto their tents then the Romans gathered more people and also footmen came on and there was a new battle and so much people that Sir Boers and Sir Barrel were taken but when Sir Gawain saw that he took with him Sir Idris the good knight and said he would never see King Arthur but if he rescued them and pulled out Galatine his good sword and followed them that led those two knights away and he smote him that led Sir Boers and took Sir Boers from him and delivered him to his fellows Sir Idris in likewise rescued Sir Barrel then began the battle to be great that our knights were in great jeopardy wherefore Sir Gawain sent to King Arthur for succor and that he hide him for I am sore wounded and that our prisoners may pay goods out of number and the messenger came to the king and told him his message and Anon the king did do assemble his army but Anon or he departed the prisoners were come and Sir Gawain and his fellows get the field and put the Romans to flight and after returned and came with their fellowship in such wise that no man of worship was lost of them save that Sir Gawain was sore hurt then the king did do ransack his wounds and comforted him and thus was the beginning of the first journey of the Britons and Romans and there were slain of the Romans more than ten thousand and great joy and mirth was made that night in the host of King Arthur and on the morning he sent all the prisoners into Paris under the guard of Sir Lancelot with many knights and of Sir Caudor Chapter 7 Halusius sent certain spies in a bushment for to have taken his knights being prisoners and how they were leaded Now turn we to the emperor of Rome which aspired that these prisoners should be sent to Paris and Anon he sent to lie in a bushment certain knights and princes with sixty thousand men for to rescue his knights and lords that were prisoners and so on the mourn as Lancelot and Sir Caudor chieftains and governors of all them that conveyed the prisoners as they should pass through a wood Sir Lancelot sent certain knights to a spy if any were in the woods to let them and when the said knights came into the wood Anon they aspired and saw the great ambushment and returned and told Sir Lancelot that they lie in a wait for them three score thousand Romans and then Sir Lancelot with such knights as he had and men of war to the number of ten thousand put them in array and met with them and fought with them manly and slew and detrenched many of the Romans and slew many knights and admirals of the party of the Romans and Syracans there was slain the king of Lili and three great lords Alladuke, Herald and Herringdale but Sir Lancelot fought so nobly that no man might endure a stroke of his hand but where he came he showed his prowess and might for he slew down right on every side and the Romans and Syracans fled from him as the sheep from the wolf or from the lion and put them all that abode alive to flight and so long they fought that tidings came to King Arthur and anon he grazed him and came to the battle and saw his knights how they had vanquished the battle he embraced them night by night in his arms and said, ye be worthy to wield all your honour and worship there was never king save myself that had so noble knights Sir, said Kador there was none of us failed other but of the prowess and manhood of Sir Lancelot were more than wonder to tell and also of his cousins which did that day many noble feats of war and also Sir Kador told who of his knights were slain as Sir Barrel and other Sir Morris and Sir Moral two good knights then the king wept and dried his eyes with a kerchief and said, your courage has near hand destroyed you for though ye had returned again ye had lost no worship for I call it folly, knights to abide when they be overmatched Nay, said Lancelot and the other for once shamed may never be recovered Chapter 8 how a senator told to Lucius of their discomforture and also of the great battle between Arthur and Lucius now we leave King Arthur in his noble knights which had won the field and had brought their prisoners to Paris and speak we of a senator which escaped from the battle and came to Lucius the emperor and said to him, Sir Emperor I advise thee for to withdraw thee what dost thou here thou shalt win nothing in these matches but great strokes out of all measure for this day one of Arthur's knights was worth in the battle a hundred of ours Fie on thee, said Lucius thou speakest cowardly for thy words grieve me more than all the loss that I had this day and anon he sent forth a king which hights Sir Liammy with a great army and bade him high him fast to floor and he would follow hastily after King Arthur was warned privily and sent his people to Sassoin and took up the towns and castles from the Romans then the king commanded Sir Cador to take the rearward and to take with him certain knights of the round table and Sir Lancelot Sir Boers Sir Kay Sir Merrick with Sir Marhouse shall await on our person Thus the King Arthur disperpled his host in diverse parties to the end that his enemies should not escape when the emperor was entered into the veil of Sassoin he might see where King Arthur was embattled and his banner displayed and he was beset round him with his enemies that needs he must fight or yield him for he might not flee but said openly unto the Romans Sirs, I admonish you that this day you fight and acquit you as men and remember how Rome domineth and his chief in head over all the earth and universal world and suffer not these Britons this day to abide against us and therewith he did command his trumpets to blow the bloody sounds likewise that the ground trembled and dindled then the battles approached and shoved and shouted on both sides and great strokes were smitten on both sides many men overthrown, hurt and slain and great valiances, prowesses and a purchases of war where that day showed which were over long to recount the noble feats of every man for they should contain in whole volume but in a special King Arthur rode in the battle exhorting his knights to do well and himself did as nobly with his hands as was possible a man to do he drew out Excalibur his sword and awaited ever where as the Romans were thickest and most grieved his people and then on he addressed him on that part and hew and slew down right and rescued his people and he slew a great giant named Galapas which was a man of a huge quantity in height he shorted him and smote off both his legs by the knees saying, now art thou better of a size to deal with than thou were and after smote off his head there Ser Gawain fought nobly and slew three admirals in that battle and so did all the knights of the round table thus the battle between King Arthur and Lucius the Emperor endured long Lucius had on his side many seracans which were slain and thus the battle was great and oft sides that one party was at a foredeal and none at an afterdeal which endured so long till at the last King Arthur aspired where Lucius the Emperor fought and did wonder with his own hands and none he rode to him and either smote other fiercely and at last Lucius smote Arthur thwart the visage and gave him a large wound and when King Arthur felt himself hurt a none he smote him again with Excalibur that it cleft his head from the summit of his head and stinted not till it came to his breast and then the Emperor fell down dead and there ended his life and when it was known that the Emperor was slain a none all the Romans with all their host put them to flight and King Arthur with all his knights followed the chase and slew down right all them that they might attain and thus was the victory given to King Arthur and the triumph and there were slain on the part of Lucius more than a hundred thousand and after King Arthur did do ransack the dead bodies and did do bury them that were slain of his retinue every man according to the estate and degree that he was of and them that were hurt he let the surgeons do search their hurts and wounds and commanded to spare no salves nor medicines till they were whole then the King rode straight to the place where the Emperor Lucius lay dead and with him he found slain the Sudan of Syria the King of Egypt and of Ethiopia which were two noble kings with seventeen other kings of diverse regions and also sixty senators of Rome all noble men whom the King did do balm and gum with many good gums aromatic and after did do sear them in sixty fold of seared cloth of sandal and laid them in chests of lead because they should not chafe nor savor and upon all these bodies their shields with their arms and banners were set to the end they should be known of what country they were and after he found three senators which were alive to whom he said for to save your lives I will that you take these dead bodies and carry them with you unto great Rome and present them to the post state on my behalf showing him my letters and tell him that I in my person shall hastily be at Rome and I suppose the Romans shall beware how they shall demand any tribute of me and I command you to say when you shall come to Rome to the post state and all the council and senate that I send to them these dead bodies for the tribute that they have demanded and if they be not content with these I shall pay more at my coming for other tribute oh I none nor none other will I pay and me thinketh this suffices for Britain, Ireland and all Almain with Germany and furthermore I charge you to say to them that I command them upon pain of their heads never to demand tribute nor tax of me nor of my lands then with this charge in commandment the three senators aforesaid departed with all the said dead bodies laying the body of Lucius in a car covered with the arms of the empire alone and after all way two bodies of kings in a chariot and then the bodies of the senators after them and so went toward Rome and showed their legation and message to the post state and the senate recounting the battle done in France and how the field was lost and much people and innumerable slain wherefore they advised them in no wise to move no more war against that noble conqueror Arthur for his might and prowess is most to be doubted seen the noble knights and great multitude of knights of the round table to whom none earthly prince may compare Chapter 9 How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the Romans entered into Almain and so into Italy now turn we unto King Arthur and his noble knights which after the great battle achieved against the Romans entered into Lorraine, Brabant and Flanders and Sithen returned into hot Almain and so over the mountains into Lombardy and after into Tuscany wherein was a city which in no wise would yield themself nor obey wherefore King Arthur besieged it and lay long about it and give many assaults to the city and they within defended them valiantly then on a time the king called Sir Florence a knight and said to him they lacked victual and not far from hence be great forests and woods wherein be many of mine enemies with much bestial I will that thou make thee ready and go thither and foraying and take with thee Sir Gawain, my nephew Sir Wishard, Sir Cleegis, Sir Clermond and the captain of Cardiff with other and bring with you all the beasts that ye there can get and anon these knights made them ready and rode over halts and hills through forests and woods till they came into a fair meadow full of fair flowers and grass and there they rested them and their horses all that night and in the springing of the day in the next morn Sir Gawain took his horse and stole away from his fellowship to seek some adventures and anon he was aware of a man armed walking his horse easily by a wood side and his shield laced to his shoulder sitting on a strong coarser without any man saving a page bearing a mighty spear the knight bear in his shield three griffins of gold and sable carbuncle and chief of silver when Sir Gawain aspired this gay knight he feuded his spear and rode straight to him and demanded of him from whence that he was that other answered and said he was of Tuscany and demanded of Sir Gawain what prefers thou proud knight these so boldly here get us thou no prey thou mayest prove with thou wilt for thou shalt be my prisoner or thou depart then said Gawain thou avantest thee greatly and speakest proud words I counsel thee for all thy boast that thou make thee ready and take thy gear to thee to fore greater grain fall to thee End of Book 5, Chapter 6-9 Recording by Sarah Williams Germantown, Maryland, August 2008 Book 5, Chapters 10-12, Volume 1 of Le Moc d'Arthur This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Read by Shana McNally Le Moc d'Arthur, Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory Book 5, Chapters 10-12 Chapter 10 Then they took their spears and ran at each other with all the might they had and smote each other through their shields into their shoulders wherefore anon they pulled out their swords and smote great strokes that the fire sprang out of their helms Then Sir Gawain was all abashed and with Galatine, his good sword, he smote through shield and thick hoverk made of thick mails and altar rushed and break the precious stones and made him a large wound that men might see both liver and lung Then groaned that night and addressed him to Sir Gawain and with an awk stroke gave him a great wound and cut a vein which grieved Gawain's sore Then the night said to Sir Gawain Bind thy wound or thy bleeding change for thou be bleedest all thy horse and thy fair arms for all the barbers of Brittany shall not con staunch thy blood for whosoever is hurt with this blade he shall never be staunched of bleeding Then answered Gawain It grieve with me but little thy great words shall not fear me nor lessen my courage but thou shalt suffer teen and sorrow or redepart but tell me in haste who may staunch my bleeding That may I do said the night if I will so will I if thou wilt sucker and aid me that I may be christened and believe on God and thereof I require thee of thy manhood and it shall be great merit for thy soul I grant, said Gawain, so God help me to accomplish all thy desire but first tell me what thou soughtest here thus alone and of what land and legions thou art of Sir, he said, my name is Priamus and a great prince is my father and he hath been rebel unto Rome and overridden many of their lands My father is linearly descended of Alexander and of Hector by right line and Duke Joshua and Macavius were of our lineage I am right inheritor of Alexandria and Africa and all the outiles yet will I believe on thy Lord that thou believest on and for thy labour I shall give thee treasure enough I was so elate and hotain in my heart that I thought no man my peer nor to me semblable I was sent into this war with seven score knights and now I have encountered with thee which hast given to me a fighting my fell wherefore so I pray thee to tell me what thou art I am no knight, Sir Gawain I have been brought up in the guardrobe with the noble King Arthur many years for to take heed to his armour and his other array at the point is Paltox that longed to himself at Yule last he made me Yeoman who gave to me horse and harness and a hundred pound of money and if fortune be my friend I doubt not but to be well advanced and hoping by my liege Lord Ah, Sir Priamus, if his names be so keen and fierce his knights be passing good now for the King's love of heaven whether thou be a nave or a knight tell thou me thy name by God said Sir Gawain now will I say thee sooth my name is Sir Gawain and known I am in his court and in his chamber and one of the knights of the round table he dubbed me a Duke with his own hand therefore grudge not if this grace is to be fortunate it is the goodness of God that lent to me my strength now my better please, sit Priamus, then thou hadst given to me all the Provence in Paris the rich I had left her to have been torn with wild horses then the Barlet had won such lose or any page or priker should have had prize on me but now, Sir Knight, I warn thee that hereby is a Duke of Lorraine with his army and the noblest men of Dauphiny and Lords of Lombardy with the garrison of Gaddar and Saracens of Southland numbered sixty thousand of good men of arms wherefore but if we high as hence will harm us both for we be sore hurt to recover but take heed to my page that he no horn blow for if he do there be hoving here fast by a hundred knights awaiting on my person and if they take thee there shall no ransom of gold nor silver a quick thee and Sir Gawain rode over a water for to save him and the knight followed him and so rode forth till they came to his fellows which were in the meadow where they had been all the night and on as Sir Whishard was where Sir Gawain and saw that he was hurt he ran to him sorrowfully weeping and demanded of him who had so hurt him and Gawain told how he had fought him with that man and each of them had hurt other and how he had salves to heal them but I can tell you other tidings that soon we shall have a do with many enemies and Sir Priamus and Sir Gawain alighted and let their horses graze in the meadow and unarmed them and then the blood ran freshly from their wounds and Priamus took from his page a vial full of the four waters that came out of paradise and painted their wounds and washed them with that water and within an hour after they were both as whole as ever they were and then with a trumpet where they all assembled to counsel and their Priamus told unto them what lords and knights had sworn to rescue him and that without fail there should be a sale of many thousands wherefore he counseled them to withdraw them and Sir Gawain said it were great shame to them to avoid without any strokes wherefore I advised to take our arms and to make us ready to meet our misbelieving men and with the help of God we shall overthrow them and have a fair day on them and Sir Florence shall abide still in this field to keep the stale as a noble knight and we shall not forsake yonder fellows now Sir Priamus cease your words for I warn you you shall find in yonder woods many perilous knights they'll put forth beasts to call you on they'd be out of number and ye are not past seven hundred which be overfew to fight with so many nevertheless, Sir Gawain come to them and see what they can do and the best shall have the victory Chapter 11 Then Sir Florence called to him Sir Floridus with a hundred knights and drove forth the herd of beasts and followed him seven hundred men of arms and Sir Ferent of Spain on a fair steed came springing out of the woods and came to Sir Florence and asked him why he fled then Sir Florence took his spear and rode against him and smote him in the forehead and break his neck bone and moved and thought to avenge the death of Sir Ferent and smote in among them and there was great fight and many slain and laid down to ground and Sir Florence with his hundred knights all they kept the stale and fought manly and when Priamus the good knight perceived the great fight he went to Sir Gawain and bade him that he should go and succour his fellowship which were sore bested with their enemies Sir Grimunats at Sir Gawain for their grief shall be theirs I shall not once move my horse to them ward or be, for they be strong enough to match them and with that he saw an Earl called Sir Ethelwald and the Duke of Dutchmen came leaping out of a wood with many thousands and Priamus knights and came straight unto the battle and Sir Gawain comforted his knights and bade them not to be abashed for all shall be ours then they began to wallop and met with their enemies there were men slain and overthrown on every side then pressed in among them the knights of the table round and smoked down to the earth all of them in so much that they had, that they made them to recoil and flee but gods Sir Gawain, this gladeth my heart for now be they less in number by twenty thousand then entered into the battle Jupiter's giant and fought and slew down right and distressed many of our knights among whom was slain Sir Gerard a knight of Wales then our knights took heart to them and slew many Saracens and then came in Sir Priamus with his penin and rode with the knights of the round table and fought so manfully that many of their enemies lost their lives and their Sir Priamus slew the Marquis of Moisesland and Sir Gawain with his fellow so quit them that they had the field but in that stour was Sir Chestilane a child and ward of Sir Gawain's slain wherefore it was much sorrow made and his death was soon avenged thus was the battle ended many lords of Lombardy and Saracens left dead in the field then Sir Florence Sir Gawain harbored surely their people and took great plenty of bestial and silver and great treasure and riches and returned them to King Arthur which lay still at the siege when they came to the king they presented their prisoners and recounted their adventures and how they had vanquished their enemies Chapter 12 Now thank be God said the noble King Arthur what man or man is he that standeth by himself him seen with no prisoner Sir Shingawain this is a good man of arms he hath matched me but he is yielded unto God and to me he is a Christian had not he a then we should never have returned wherefore I pray you that he may be baptized for there liveth not a nobler man nor better knight of his hands then the king let him and on be christened and did do call him his first name Priamus made him a duke and knight of the table round and then and on the king let do cry assault to the city and there was rearing of ladders breaking of walls and the ditch filled that men with little pain might enter into the city then came out in Duchess with many ladies and damacelles and kneeling before King Arthur required him for the love of God to receive the city and not to take it by assault for then should many guiltless be slain then the king availed his visor with a meek and noble countenance and said Madam there shall none of my subjects misdo you nor your maidens nor to none that to you belong but the duke shall abide my judgment then and on the king commanded to leave the assault and on the duke's oldest son brought out the keys and kneeling delivered them to the king and besought him of grace and the king seized the town by a cent of his lords and took the duke and sent him to Dover therefore to abide prisoner term of his life and assigned certain rents for the dower of the Duchess and for her children then he made lords to rule those lands and laws as a lord ought to do in his own country and after he took his journey toward Rome and sent Sir Floris and Sir Floridus to Four with five hundred men of arms and they came to the city of Urbino and laid there a bushment there as them the most best for them and rode to four the town where Anon issued out much people and skirmished with the four riders then break out the bushment and won the bridge and acted the town and set upon the walls the king's banner then came the king upon a hill and saw the city and his banner on the walls by which he knew that the city was won and Anon he sent and commanded that none of his liege men should defowal nor lie by no lady, wife, nor maid and when he came into the city he passed to the castle and to them that were in sorrow and ordained there a captain, a knight of his own country and when they of Milan heard that the city was won they sent to King Arthur great sums of money and besought him as their lord to have pity on them promising to be his subjects forever and yield to him homage and faulty for the lands of Plazance and Pavia, Peter Saint and the port of Trumbull and to give him yearly a million of gold all his lifetime then he rideth into Tuscany and winneth towns and castles and wasted all in his way that to him will not obey and so to Spilute and Viterpe and from thence he rode into the veil of Viscount among the vines and from thence he sent to the senators to which weather they would know him for their lord but soon after on a Saturday came unto King Arthur all the senators that were left there alive and the noblest cardinals that then dwelt in Rome and prayed him a peace and proffered him full large and besought him as governor to give license for six weeks to the Romans and then to crown him emperor with chism as it belonged to so high a state I assent, said the king like as ye have devised I did Christmas there to be crowned and to hold my round table with my knights as me like it and then the senators made ready for his enthronization and at the day appointed as the romance teleth he came into Rome and was crowned emperor by the pope's hand with all the royalty that could be made and sojourned there a time from Rome into France and he had lands and realms unto his servants and knights to average after his desert in such wise that none complain rich nor poor and he gave to Supriamus the Duchy of Lorraine and he thanked him and said he would serve him the days of his life and after made dukes and urls and made every man rich then after this all his knights and lords assembled them before him and said, blessed be God your war is finished and your conquest achieved so much that we know none so great nor mighty that dare make war against you therefore we beseech you to return homeward and give us license to go home to our wives from whom we have been long and to rest us for your journey is finished with honour and worship then said the king, ye say truth for to tempt God it is no wisdom and therefore make you ready and return we into England then there was trusting of harness and baggage and great carriage and after license given he returned and the king of death should not rob nor take victual nor other thing by the way but that he should pay therefore and thus he came over the sea and landed at Sandwich against whom, whenever his wife came and met him and he was nobly received of all his commons in every city in Bra and great gifts presented to him at his homecoming to welcome him with and of book 5 chapters 10 to 12 chapters 1 to 6 of book 6 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings from the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Adam Renga LibriVox.org book 6 chapters 1 to 6 chapter 1 soon after that King Arthur was come from Rome into England then all the knights of the table round resorted unto the king and made many jousts and tournaments and some there were that were but knights which increased so in arms and worship that they passed all their fellows in prowess and noble deeds and that was well proved on many but in a special it was proved on Sir Lancelot du Lake for in all tournaments and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life and death he passed all other knights and at no time he was never overcome but if it were by trees nor enchantment so Sir Lancelot increased so marvelously in worship and in honor therefore is he the first knight that the French book make mention of after King Arthur came from Rome where for Queen Guinevere had him in great favor above all other knights and in certain he loved the queen again above all other ladies and damsels of his life and for her he did many deeds of arms and saved her from the fire through his noble chivalry thus Sir Lancelot rested him long with play and game and then he thought himself to prove himself in strange adventures then he bade his nephew Sir Lionel for to make him ready for we too will seek adventures so they mounted on their horses armed at all rights and rode into a deep forest and so into a deep plain and then the weather was hot about noon and Sir Lancelot had great lust to sleep then Sir Lionel spied a great apple tree that stood by in hedge and said brother, yonder is a fair shadow there may we rest us and our horses it is well said fair brother said Sir Lancelot for this eight year I was not so sleepy as I am now and so they there alighted and tied their horses unto sundry trees and so Sir Lancelot laid him down under an apple tree and his helm he laid under his head and Sir Lionel waked while he slept so Sir Lancelot was asleep passing fast and in the meanwhile there came three nights riding as fast fleeing as ever they might ride and there followed them three but one night and when Sir Lionel saw him him thought he saw never so great a night nor so well-faring a man neither so well apperelled unto all rights so within a while this strong night had overtaken one of these nights and there he smote him to the cold earth that he lay still and then he rode unto the second night and smote him so that man and horse fell down and then straight to the third night he rode and smote him behind his horses arse the spear leg and then he alighted down and reigned his horse on the bridle and bound all the three nights fast with the reins of their own bridles when Sir Lionel saw him do thus he thought to assay him and made him ready and stillly and privily he took his horse and thought not for to awake Sir Lancelot and when he was abounded upon his horse he overtook this strong night and bade him turn and the other smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man he bear to the earth and so he alighted down and bound him fast and threw him over thwart his own horse and so he served them all four and rode with them away to his own castle and when he came there he guard and armed them and beat them with thorns all naked and after put them in a deep prison where were many more nights that made great dollar Chapter 2 When Sir Ector de Maria wist that Sir Lancelot was passed out of the court to seek adventures he was wroth with himself and made him ready to seek Sir Lancelot and as he had ridden long in a great forest he met with a man was like a forester Fair fellow said Sir Ector knows thou in this country any adventures that be here in thy hand? Sir said the forester this country know I well and hereby, within this mile is a strong manner and well-dyked and by that manner on the left hand there is a fair ford for horses to drink of and over that ford there groweth a fair tree and thereon hang many fair shields that wielded some time good nights and at the whole of the tree hangeth a basin of copper and laden and strike upon that basin with the butt of thy spear thrice and soon after thou shalt hear new timings and else thou hast the fairest grace that many a year had ever night that pass through this forest Gramercy said Sir Ector and departed and came to the tree and saw many fair shields and among them he saw his brother's shield Sir Lionel and many more that he knew of the round table the witch grieved his heart and promised to revenge his brother then Anon Sir Ector beat on the basin as he were wood and then he gave his horse drink at the ford and there came a knight behind him and bade him come out of the water and make him ready and Sir Ector Anon turned him shortly and in futur cast his spear and smote the other night a great buffet that his horse turned twice about this was well done said the strong knight and nightly thou hast stricken me and therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector and clayed him under his right arm and bade him clean out of the saddle and rode with him away into his own hall and threw him down in midst of the floor the name of this knight was Sir Turquen and he said unto Sir Ector for thou hast done this day more unto me than any night did these twelve years now will I grant thee thy life so thou wilt be sworn to be my prisoner all thy life days nay said Sir Ector that will I never promise thee but that I will do my advantage that me repenteth said Sir Turquen and then he gart to unarm him and beat him with thorns all naked and sithon put him down in a deep dungeon where he knew many of his fellows but when Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel then made he great sorrow alas brother said Sir Ector where is my brother Sir Lancelot fair brother I left him asleep when that I from him yow'd under an apple tree and what has become of him I cannot tell you alas said the knights but Sir Lancelot help us we may never be delivered for we know no knight that is able to match our master Turquen Chapter 3 now leave we these knights' prisoners and speak of Sir Lancelot to Lake under the apple tree sleeping even about the noon there came by him four queens of great estate and for the heat should not annoy them there row'd four knights about them and bear a cloth of green silk on four spears betwixt them and the sun and the queens row'd on four white mules thus as they row'd they heard by them a great horse grimly nay then were they where of a sleeping knight that lay all under an apple tree and as these queens looked on his face they knew it was Sir Lancelot then they began for to strive for that knight every each one said that they would have him to her love we shall not strive said's Morgan Le Fay that was King Arthur's sister I shall put an enchantment upon him that he shall not awaken six hours and then I will lead him away unto my castle and when he is surely within my hold I shall take the enchantment from him and then let him choose which of us he will have unto paramour so this enchantment was cast upon Sir Lancelot and then they laid him upon his shield and bear him so on horseback betwixt two knights and brought him unto the castle chariot and there they laid him in a chamber cold and at night they sent it to him a fair damsel with his supper ready-dite by that the enchantment was passed and when she came she saluted him and asked him what cheer I cannot say fair damsel said Sir Lancelot for I want not how I am come into this castle but it be by an enchantment Sir said she he must make good cheer and if he be such a knight as it is said he be I shall tell you more to mourn by prime of the day Gramercy fair damsel said Sir Lancelot of your good will I require you and there he lay all that night without comfort of anybody and on the mourn early came these four queens passingly well besseen all they bidding him good mourn and he them again Sir Knight the four queens said thou must understand that thou art our prisoner and we here know thee well thou art Sir Lancelot du Lake King Band's son and because we understand your worthiness that thou art the noblest knight living and as we know well there can be no lady have thy love but one and that is Queen Guinevere and now thou shalt lose her forever and she thee and therefore thee be hoveth now to choose one of us four I am the Queen Morgan Le Fay Queen of the land of Gore and here is the Queen of North Gallus and the Queen of Eastland and the Queen of the Ode Isles now choose one of us which thou wilt have to thy paramour for thou mayest not choose or else in this prison to die this is a hard case Sir Lancelot that either I must die or else choose one of you yet had I leave her to die in this prison with worship than to have one of you to my paramour mowgur my head and therefore you be answered I will none of you for you be false enchantresses and as for my lady Dame Guinevere were I at my liberty as I was I would prove it on you or on yours that she is the truest lady unto her Lord living well said the Queens is that your answer that ye will refuse us yea on my life says Sir Lancelot refuse G.B. of me so they departed and left him there alone that made great sorrow Chapter 4 in the noon came the damsel unto him with his dinner I'd asked him what cheer truly fair damsel said Sir Lancelot in my life days never so ill sir she said that me repenteth but an ye will be ruled by me I shall help you out of this distress and ye shall have no shame nor villainy so that she hold me a promise fair damsel I will grant you these Queens sorceresses of fear for they have destroyed many a good night sir said she and for the renown and bounty that they hear of you they would have your love and sir they say your name is Sir Lancelot du Lake the flower of knights and they be passing wrath with you that ye have refused them but sir an ye would promise me to help my father on Tuesday next coming for the last Tuesday passed my father lost the field through three nights of Arthur's court an ye will be there on Tuesday next coming and help my father to mourn or prime by the grace of God I shall deliver you clean fair maiden said Sir Lancelot tell me what is your father's name and then shall I give you an answer sir knight she said my father is king bag demigus that was foul rebuked at the last tournament I know your father well said Sir Lancelot for a noble king and a good night and by the faith of my body ye shall have my body ready to do your father and use service at that day sir she said Gramercy and to mourn away ye be ready butimes and I shall be she that shall deliver you and take you your armor and your horse shield and spear and hereby within this ten mile is an abbey of white monks there I pray you that ye may abide and there shall I bring my father unto you all this shall be done said Sir Lancelot as I am true knight and so she departed and came on the mourn early and found him ready then she brought him out of the twelve locks and brought him unto his armor and when he was clean armed she brought him unto his own horse and lightly he saddled him and took a great spear in his hand and so rolled forth and said fair damsel I shall not fail you by the grace of God and so he rode into a great forest all that day and never could find no highway and so the night fell upon him and then he were in a slade of a pavilion of red sandal by my faith said Sir Lancelot in that pavilion will I lodge all this night and so there he alighted down and tied his horse to the pavilion and there he unarmed him and there he found a bed and laid him therein and fell asleep sadly Chapter 5 then within an hour there came the night to whom the pavilion ought and he weaned that his lemon had lain in that bed and so he laid him down beside Sir Lancelot and took him in his arms and began to kiss him and when Sir Lancelot felt a rough beard kissing him he started out of the bed lightly and the other night after him and either of them got their swords in their hands and out of the pavilion door went the night of the pavilion and Sir Lancelot followed him and thereby a little slake Sir Lancelot wounded him sore, nigh unto the death and then he yielded him unto Sir Lancelot and so he granted him so that he would tell him why he came into the bed Sir said the night was mine own and there this night I had assigned my lady to have slept with me and now I am likely to die of this wound that me repenteth said Lancelot of your hurt but I was a dread of treason for I was late beguiled and therefore come on your way into your pavilion and take your rest and as I suppose I shall staunch your blood and so they went both into the pavilion and anon Sir Lancelot staunched his blood therewith all came the night's lady that was a passing fair lady and when she aspired that her lord Bellius was sore wounded she cried out on Sir Lancelot and made great dole out of measure peace my lady and my love said Bellius for this night is a good man and a night adventurous and there he told her all the cause how he was wounded and when that I yielded unto him he left me goodly and hath staunched my blood Sir said the lady I require thee tell me what night she be and what is your name fair lady he said my name is Sir Lancelot Delake so me thought ever by your speech said the lady for I have seen you after this and I know you better than you wean but now and you would promise me of your courtesy for the harms that she have done to me and my lord Bellius that when he cometh unto Arthur's court for to cause him to be made night of the round table for he is a passing good man of arms and a mighty lord of lands of many out aisles fair lady said Sir Lancelot let him come unto the court the next high feast and look that ye come with him and I shall do my power and ye prove you doubty of your hands that ye shall have your desire so thus within a while as they thus talked and the days shone and then Sir Lancelot armed him and took his horse and they taught him to the abbey and then there he rode within the space of two hours Chapter 6 and soon as Sir Lancelot came within the abbey yard the daughter of King Begdemagus heard a great horse go on the pavement and she then arose and yeed unto a window and there she saw Sir Lancelot and anon she made men fast and the horse from him and let lead him into a stable and himself was led into a fair chamber and unarmed him and the lady sent him a long gown and anon she came herself and then she made Lancelot passing good cheer and she said he was the knight in the world was most welcome to her then in all haste she sent for her father Begdemagus that was within twelve mile of that abbey and before even he came with a fair fellowship of knights with him and when the king was alighted off his horse he yewed straight unto Sir Lancelot's chamber and there he found his daughter and then the king embraced Sir Lancelot in his arms and either made other good cheer Anon Sir Lancelot made his complaint down to the king how he was betrayed and how his brother Sir Lionel was departed from him he wist not wear and how his daughter had delivered him out of prison therefore while I live I shall do her service and all her kindred then am I sure of your help said the king on Tuesday next coming ye sir said Sir Lancelot I shall not fail you for so I have promised my lady your daughter but sir what knights be they of my Lord Arthur's that were with the king of North Gallus and the king said it was Sir Madder de la Port and Sir Mordred and Sir Gahalentine all forfared my knights for against them three I nor my knights might bear no strength sir said Sir Lancelot as I here say that the tournament shall be here within this three mile of this abbey ye shall send unto me three knights of yours such as ye trust and look that the three knights have all white shields and I also and no painter on the shields and we four will come out of a little wood in midst of both parties to the front of our enemies and grieve them that we may and thus shall I not be known what night I am so they took their rest that night and this was on the Sunday and so the king departed and sent unto Sir Lancelot three knights with the four white shields and on the Tuesday they lodged them in a little leaved wood besides there the tournament should be and there were scaffold and holes that lords and ladies came to give the prize then came into the field the king of North Gallus with eight score helms and then the three knights of Arthur stood by themselves then came into the field King Bagdemigus with four score of helms and then they futured their spears and came together with a great dash and there were slain of knights at the first for counter twelve of King Bagdemigus's party and six of the King of North Gallus's party and King Bagdemigus's party was far set aback end of book six chapters one through six recording by Adam Ringuth chapters seven to ten book six volume one of Le Mare d'Artoch this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Lars Rolander Le Mare d'Artoch volume one by Sir Thomas Mallory book six chapters seven to ten chapter seven how Sir Lonslott behaved him in a tournament and how he met Sir Turkin leading Sir Gaharis with that came Sir Lonslott to luck and he thrust in when this spear in the thickest of the press and there he smote down with one spare five nights and of four of them he break their backs and in that throng he smote down the King of North Gallus and break his thigh in that fall all this doing of Sir Lonslott saw the three knights of Arthur's John Dris the shrewd guest said Sir Mador de la Porte therefore have here once at him so they encountered and Sir Lonslott bear him down horse and man so that his shoulder went out a lith now befalleth it to me to just said Maudred for Sir Mador hath a sore fall Sir Lonslott was aware of him and got a great spare in his hand and met him and Sir Maudred break a spare upon him and Sir Lonslott gave him such a buffet that the arson of his saddle break so he flew over his horse's tail that his helm butted into the earth a foot and more that now his neck was broken and there he lay long in a swoon then came in Sir Gahalantain with a great spare and Lonslott against him with all their strength that they might drive that both their spears to brust even to their hands and then they flang out for their swords and gave many a grim stroke then was Sir Lonslott wroth out of measure and then he smote Sir Gahalantain on the helm that his nose brust out on blood and ears and mouth both and therewith his head hang low and therewith his horse ran away with him and he fell down to the earth and on therewith all Sir Lonslott got a great spare in his hand and or ever that great spare break he bared down to the earth 60 knights, some horse and man and some the man and not the horse and there was none but that he hid surely he bared none arms that day and then he got another great spare and smote down 12 knights and the most part of them never throw after and then the knights of the king of North Gullis would just no more and there the gree was given to king Bugdemagus so either parted and departed unto his own place and Sir Lonslott rode forth with king Bugdemagus unto his castle and there he had passing good share both with the king and with his daughter and they profit him great gifts and on the morning he took his leave and told the king that he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel that went from him when that he slept so he took his horse and betought them all to God and there he said unto the king's daughter if ye have need any time of my service I pray you let me have knowledge and I shall not fail you as I am true knight and so Sir Lonslott departed and by adventure he came into the same forest where he was taken sleeping and in the midst of a highway he met a damsel riding on a white palfrey and there either saluted other Fair damsel said Sir Lonslott no ye in this country any adventures Sir Knight said the damsel here are adventures near hand and thou durst prove them why should I not prove adventures said Sir Lonslott for that course come I hither well said she thou seems well to be a good knight and if thou dare meet with a good knight I shall bring thee where is the best knight and the mightest that ever thou found so thou will tell me what is thy name and what knight thou art Damsel asked for to tell thee my name I take no great force truly my name is Sir Lonslott du Lac Sir thou seems well here be adventures by that fall for thee for here by dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched by man I know but ye overmatch him and his name is Sir Turkin and as I understand he hath in his prison of Arthur's court good knights three score and four that he hath won with his own hands but when ye have done that journey ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight for to go with me and to help me and other damsels that are distressed daily with a false knight all your intent damsel and desire I will fulfill so ye will bring me unto this night now fair knight come on your way and so she brought him unto the fort and the tree were hung the basin so Sir Lonslott let his horse drink and then he beat on the basin with the buff of his spear so hard with all his might till the bottom fell out and long he did so but he saw nothing then he rode along the gates of that manor night half an hour and then was he aware of a great knight that drew an horse for him and overthwought the horse there lay an armed knight bound and ever as they came near and near Sir Lonslott thought he should know him then Sir Lonslott was aware that it was Sir Gaharis Gawain's brother a knight of the table round now fair damsel Sir Lonslott I see yonder cometh a knight fast bounden that is a fellow of mine and brother he is unto Sir Gawain and at the first beginning I promise you by the leave of God to rescue that knight but if his master sit better in the saddle I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger for I'm sure he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him at a time that either hath seen other they gripped their spears unto them now fair knight said Sir Lonslott put that wounded knight of the horse and let him rest a while and let us to prove our strength for as it is informed me thou dost and hast done great despite and shame unto knights of the round table and therefore now defend thee and thou be of the table round Sir Turkin defy thee and all thy fellowship that is over much said Sir Lonslott Chapter 8 How Sir Lonslott and Sir Turkin fought together and then they put their spears in the rests and came together with their horses as fast as they might run and either smote other in midst of their shields that both their horses back spressed under them and the knights were both stoned and as soon as they might avoid their horses they took their shields for them and drew out their swords and came together eagerly and either gave other many strong strokes for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes and so within a while they had both grimly wounds and blood passing grievously thus they fed two hours or more tracing and racing either other where they might hit any bare place then at the last they were breathless both and stood leaning on their swords now fellows Sir Turkin hold thy hand a while and tell me what I shall ask thee say on then Turkin said thou art the biggest man that I ever met with all and the best breathed and like one night that I hate above all other nights so be that thou be not he will lightly accord with thee and for thy love I will deliver all the prisoners that I have that is three score and four so thou wilt tell me thy name and thou and I we will be fellows together and never to fail thee while that I live and thou and I we will be fellows together and never to fail thee while that I live it is well said Sir Lawslot but see then it is so that I may have my friendship what night is he that thou so hate is to above all other faithfully said Sir Turkin his name is Sir Lawslot to luck for he slew my brother Sir Karados at the Dolores tower that was one of the best nights alive and therefore him I accept of all nights for may I once meet with him the one of us shall make an end of other I make mine a vow and for Sir Lawslot's sake I have slain an hundred good nights and as many I have maimed all utterly that they might never after help themselves and many have died in prison and yet have I three score and four and all shall be delivered so thou wilt tell me thy name so be that thou be not Sir Lawslot now see I well said Sir Lawslot that such a man I might be I might have peace and such a man I might be that there should be a war mortal betwixt us and now Sir Knight at thy request I will that thou wit and know that I am Lawslot to luck King Bun's son of Benwick and very knight of the table round and now I defy thee and do thy best ah said Turkin Lawslot thou art unto me most welcome that ever was night for we shall never depart to the one of us be dead then they hurtle together as two wild bulls rushing and lashing with their shields and swords that sometime they fell both over their noses thus they fought still two hours and more and never would have rest and Sir Turkin gave Sir Lawslot many wounds that all the ground there as they fought circled with blood Chapter 9 how Sir Turkin was slain and how Sir Lawslot bade Sir Gaharis deliver all the prisoners then at the last Sir Turkin waxed faint and gave somewhat a back and bear his shield low for weariness that despite Sir Lawslot and leaped upon him fiercely and got him by the beaver and his helmet and plucked him down by his knees and anon he raised off his helm and smote his neck in sander and when Sir Lawslot had done this he yawed unto the damosol and said damosol I am ready to go with you where ye will have me but I have no horse fair sir said she take this wounded knights horse and send him into this manner and command him to deliver all the prisoners and send unto Gaharis and prayed him not to be aggrieved for to lend him his horse nay fair lord said Gaharis I will that you take my horse at your own commandment for ye have both saved me and my horse and this day I say ye are the best knight in the world for ye have slain this day in my sight the mightiest man and the best knight except you that ever I saw and fair sir said Gaharis I pray you tell me your name sir my name is Sir Lawslot Ullak that ought to help you of right fucking Arthur's sake and in a special for my lord Sir Gavane's sake your own dear brother and when that ye come within yonder manner I'm sure you shall find there many knights of the round table for I have seen many of their shields that I know on yonder tree there is case shield and Sir Brandel's shield and Sir Marhore's shield and Sir Galeen's shield and Sir Brian the Listnoy's shield and Sir Aliduke's shield with many more that I'm not now advised of and also my two brethren's shields Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Lionel wherefore I pray you greet them all from me and say that I bid them take such stuff there as they find and that in any wise my brethren to the court and abide me there till that I come for by the feast of Pentecost I cast me to be there for as at this time I must ride with this damosol for to save my promise and so he departed from Gahiris and Gahiris yed into the banner and there he found a geoman porter keeping their many keys and on with also Gahiris threw the porter unto the ground and took the keys from him he opened the prison door and there he let out all the prisoners and every man loosed other of their bonds and when they saw Sir Gahiris all they thanked him for they weaned that he was wounded not so said Gahiris it was Lancelot that slew him worshipfully with his own hands I saw it with my own eyes and he greeted you all well and prayed you to haste you to the court and as unto Sir Lionel and Ekto de Maris he prayed you to bide him at the court that shall we not do said his brethren we will find him and we may live so shall I said Sir Kai find him or I come at the court as I am true knight then all those knights sought the house the rest the armour was and then they armed them and every knight found his own horse and all that ever longed unto him and when this was done there came a forester with four horses laden with fat venison and on Sir Kai said here is good meat for us for one meal for we had not many a day no good repost and so that venison was roasted bacon and sodden and so after supper some abode there all night but Sir Lionel and Ekto de Maris and Sir Kai rode after Sir Lancelot to find him if they might Chapter 10 How Sir Lancelot rode with a damocel and slew a knight that distressed all ladies and also a villain that kept a bridge now turn we unto Sir Lancelot that rode with a damocel in a fair highway Sir said the damocel here by this way haunteth a knight that distressed all ladies and gentle women and at the least he robeth them or life by them what said Sir Lancelot is he a thief and a knight and a ravisher of women he does shame unto the order of knighthood and contrary unto his oath it is pity that he live with but fair damocel ye shall ride on a four yourself and I will keep myself in covered and if that he trouble you or distress you I shall be your rescue and learn him to be ruled as a knight so the maid rode on by the way a soft ambling pace and within a while came out that knight on horseback out of the wood and his page with him and there he put the damocel from her horse and then she cried with that came Lancelot as fast as he might till he came to that knight saying oh thou false knight and traitor unto knighthood who did learn thee to distress ladies and gentle women when the knight saw Sir Lancelot thus rebuking him he answered not but drew his sword and rode unto Sir Lancelot and Sir Lancelot threw his spear from him and drew out his sword and struck him such a buffet on the helmet that he clave his head and neck unto the throat now hast thou thy payment thing thou hast deserved that is truth said the damocel for like a Sir Turkin watched to destroy knights so did this knight attend to destroy and distress ladies damocels and gentle women and his name was Sir Periste Forest Savage now damocel said Sir Lancelot will ye any more service on me ne Sir she said at this time but Almighty Jesus preserve you where some ever ye ride or go for the curtest knight thou art and meekest unto all ladies and gentle women that now live with but one thing Sir Knight me think ye lack ye that are a knight wifeless that he will not love some maiden or gentle woman for I could never hear say that ever ye loved any of no manner degree she is great pity but it is noise that ye love Queen Gunnevere and that she hath ordained by enchantment that ye shall never love none other but her nor none other damocel nor lady shall rejoice you wherefore many in this land of high estate and low may great sorrow fair damocel said Sir Lancelot I may not warn people to speak on me what it pleases them but for to be a wedded man I think it not for then I must couch with her and leave arms and tournaments battles and adventures and as for to say for to take my placence with paramours that will I refuse in principle for dreed of God for knights that be adventures or leeches shall not be happy nor fortunate unto the wars for other they shall be overcome with a simpler knight than they be themselves and so that youth's paramours shall be unhappy and all things is unhappy that is about them and so Sir Lancelot and she departed and then he rode in a deep forest two days and more and had straight lodging so on the third day he rode over a long bridge and there stared upon him suddenly a passing fold churl and he smelt his horse on the nose that he turned about and asked him why he rode over that bridge without his license why should I not ride this way said Sir Lancelot I may not ride beside thou shalt not choose said the churl and lashed at him with a great club shot with iron then Sir Lancelot drew his sword and put the stroker back and clave his head unto the paps the end of the bridge was a fair village and all the people men and women cried on Sir Lancelot and said a worse deed didst thou never for thyself for thou has slain the chief porter of our castle Sir Lancelot let them say what they would and straight he went into the castle and when he came into the castle he alighted and tied his horse to a ring on the wall and there he saw a fair green court and neither he dressed him for there him thought was a fair place to fight in so he looked about and saw much people in doors and windows that said fair night, thou art unhappy end of book 6 chapters 7 to 10 of volume 1 of Le Morgh d'Arthurg read by Lars Rolander chapter 11 to 14 of book 6 volume 1 of Le Morgh d'Arthurg 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 Morgh d'Arthurg volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory book 6 chapters 11 to 14 chapter 11 how Sir Launcelot slew two giants and made a castle free and on with all came there upon him two great giants well armed all saved the heads with two horrible clubs in their hands Sir Launcelot put his shield for him and put the stroke away of one giant and with his sword he clave his head asunder when his fellow saw that he ran away as he were would for fear of the horrible strokes and Launcelot after him with all his might and smote him on the shoulder and clave him to the naval then Sir Launcelot went into the hall and there came for him three score ladies and damsels and all kneeled unto him and thanked God and him of their deliverance for Sir said they the most part of us have been here this seven year their prisoners and we have worked all manner of silk works for our meat and we are all great gentle women born and blessed be the time night that ever thou be born for thou has done the most worship that ever denied in this world and that will we bear record and we all pray you tell us your name that we may tell our friends who delivered us out of prison there damsel he said my name is Sir Launcelot the luck ah sir said they all well mayst thou be he for else save yourself as we deemed there might never night have the better of these two giants for many fair nights have assayed it and here have ended and many times have we wished after you and these two giants treat never night but you they said Sir Launcelot unto your friends how and who hath delivered you and greet them all from me and if that I come in any of your marches show me such cheer as he have cause and what treasure that there in this castle is I give it to you for a reward for your grievance and the Lord that is owner of this castle I would he received it as is right fair sir said they the name of this castle is Tintagil and a duke ought it sometimes that had wedded fair Igraine and after wedded her Arthur Penragon and got on her Arthur well said Sir Launcelot I understand to whom this castle longeth and so he departed from them and betought them unto God and then he mounted upon his horse and rode into many strange and countries and through many waters and valleys and evil was he lodged and at the last by fortune him happened against the night to come to fair Cortelosh and therein he found an old gentle woman that lodged him with good will and there he had good cheer for him and his horse and when time was his host brought him into a fair garret over the gate to his gate there Sir Launcelot unarmed him and set his harness by him and went to bed and a known he fell asleep so soon after the came one on horseback and knocked at the gate in great haste and when Sir Launcelot heard this he arose up and looked out at the window and so by the moonlight three nights came riding after that one man and all three lashed on him at once and the horse and that one night turned on them nightly again and defended him truly said Sir Launcelot John the one night shall I help for it were shame for me to see three nights on one and if he be slain I am partner of his death and therewith he took his harness and went out at a window by a sheet down to the four nights and then Sir Launcelot said on high turn two nights unto me and leave York fighting with that night and then they all three left Sir Kay and turned unto Sir Launcelot and there began great battle for they alighted all three and struck many great strokes at Sir Launcelot and assail him on every side then Sir Kay dressed him for to have hope and Sir Launcelot ne sir said he I will your help therefore as you will have my help let me alone with them Sir Kay for the pleasure of the night suffered him for to do his will and so stood aside and then anon with six strokes Sir Launcelot had stricken them to the earth and then they all three cried Sir Knight we yield unto you as a man of might make less as to that said Sir Launcelot I will not take your yielding unto me but so that he will yield you unto Sir Kay the Seneschal on that covenant I will save your lives and else not Fair night said they that were we loath to do for as for Sir Kay we chased him hither and had overcome him had he not ye been therefore to yield us unto him it were no reason well as to that said Launcelot advise you well for ye may choose whether ye will die or live for an ye be olden it shall be unto Sir Kay fair night then they said in saving of our lives we will do as thou commandist us then shall ye said Sir Launcelot on which Sunday next coming go unto the court of King Arthur and there shall ye yield you unto King Guniver and put you all three in her grace and mercy and say that Sir Kay sent you hither to be her prisoners sir they said it shall be done by the faith of our bodies and we be living and there they swore every night upon his sword and so Sir Launcelot suffered them so to depart and then Sir Launcelot knocked at the gate with all of his sword and with that came his host and in they entered Sir Kay and he sir said his host I wind ye had been in your bed so I was said Sir Launcelot but I rose and leapt out at my window for to help an old fellow of mine and so when they came nigh the light Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir Launcelot and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him of all his kindness that he had holpen him twice from the death sir he said I have nothing done but that me ought for to do and ye are welcome and here shall ye repose you and take your rest so when Sir Kay was unarmed he asked after me so there was meat fetched him and he ate strongly and when he had us up they went to their beds to a lodge together in one bed on the morn Sir Launcelot arose early and left Sir Kay sleeping and Sir Launcelot took Sir Kay's armor and his shield and armed him and so he went to the stable and took his horse and took his leave of his host and so he departed then soon after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot and then he spied that he had his armor and his horse now by my faith I know well that he will grieve some of a court of King Arthur for on him knights will be bold and deem that it is I and that will be gill them and because of his armor and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace and then soon after departed Sir Kay and thanked his host Chapter 12 how Sir Launcelot row disguised in Sir Kay's harness and how he smote down a knight now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that had ridden long in a great forest and at the last he came into a low country full of fair rivers and meadows and a for him he saw a long bridge and three pavilions stood there on of silk and spears you and without the pavilions hung three white shields on truncheons of spears and great long spears upright by the pavilions and at every pavilions doors to three fresh squires and so Sir Launcelot passed by them and spake no word when he was past the three knights said them that it was the proud Kay he weeneth no knight so good as he and the contrary is of time proved by my faith said one of the knights his name was Sir Gaunter I will write after him and say him for all his pride and you may behold how that I speed so this knight Sir Gaunter armed him and hung his shield upon his shoulder and mounted upon a great horse and got his spear in his hand and walloped to Sir Launcelot and when he came nigh him he cried abide thou pride knight Sir Kay for thou shall not pass quit so Sir Launcelot turned him and either foitered their spears and came together with all their might and Sir Gaunter's spear break but Sir Launcelot smote him down horse and man and when Sir Gaunter was at the earth his brethren said each one to the other John the knight is not Sir Kay for he is bigger than he I dare lay my head said Sir Gilmer John the knight hath slain Sir Kay and hath taken his horse and his harness whether it be so or no said Sir Reynolds the third brother let us now go mount upon our horses and rescue our brother Sir Gaunter upon pain of death to match that knight for ever me seemed by his person it is Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram or Sir Pelias the good knight then unknown they took their horses and overtook Sir Launcelot and Sir Gilmer put forth his bear and ran to Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot smote him down that he lay in a swoon Sir Knight said Sir Reynolds thou art a strong man and as I suppose thou hast slain my two brethren for the witch wratheth of my heart soar against thee and if I might with my worship I would not have a do with you but needs I must take part as they do and therefore night he said keep thyself and so they hurtled together with all their might and all to shiver both their spares and then they drew their swords and lashed together eagerly and on therewith arose Sir Gaunter and came unto his brother Sir Gilmer and bade him a rise and help we our brother Sir Reynolds that Jonder marvellously matched Jonder good knight therewith all they leapt on their horses and hurtled unto Sir Launcelot and when he saw them come he smote a sore stroke unto Sir Reynolds that he fell off his horse to the ground and then he struck the other two brethren and at two strokes he struck them down to the earth with that Sir Reynolds began to start up with his head all bloody and came straight unto Sir Launcelot now let be said Sir Launcelot I was not far from thee when thou wert made night Sir Reynolds and also I know thou art a good knight and loath I were to slay thee Gramercy said Sir Reynolds as for your goodness and I dare say as for me and my brethren we will not be loath to yield us unto you with that we knew your name for well we know you are not Sir K as for that be it as it be may for ye shall yield you unto Dame Gunever and look that ye be with her this Sunday and yield you unto her as prisoners and say that Sir K sent you unto her then they swore it should be done and so passed forth Sir Launcelot and each one of the brethren hope other as well as they might Chapter 13 How Sir Launcelot justed against four knights of the round table and overthrew them so Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest and thereby in a slade he saw four knights hooving under an oak and they were of Arthur's court one was Sir Sagramor Ledissirou and Héctor de Marie and Sir Gavain and Sir Uwein and on as these four knights had aspired Sir Launcelot they weaned by his arms it had been Sir K now by my faith said Sir Sagramor I will prove Sir K's might and got his spear in his hand and came towards Sir Launcelot there with Sir Launcelot was where and knew him well and foitered his spear against him and smote Sir Sagramor so sore that horse and man fell both to the earth Lo my fellows said he yonder ye may see what a buffet he had his knight is much bigger than ever was Sir K now shall ye see what I may do to him so Sir Héctor got his spear in his hand and walloped towards Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot smote him through the shield and shoulder that man and horse went to the earth and ever his spear held by my faith said Sir Uwein yonder is a strong knight and I am sure he had slain Sir K and I see by his great strength it will be hard to match him and there with all Sir Uwein got his spear in his hand and rode towards Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot knew him well and so he met him on the plane and gave him such a buffet that he was astoined that long he wished not where he was now see I well said Sir Gavain I must encounter with that knight then he dressed his shield and got a good spear in his hand and Sir Launcelot knew him well and then they let run their horses with all their might and either knight smote other in midst of the shield but Sir Gavain spare to brust and Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his horse reversed up so down and much sorrow had Sir Gavain to avoid his horse and so Sir Launcelot passed on a pace and smiled and said God give him joy that this spear made for there came never a better in my hand then the four knights went each one to other and comforted each other what say ye by this guest said Sir Gavain that one spear hath felled us all four to the devil they said all for he is a man of great might ye may well say it Sir Gavain that he is a man of might for I dare lay my head it is Sir Launcelot I know it by his riding let him go Sir Gavain for when we come to the court then shall we wit and then had they much sorrow to get their horses again chapter 14 how Sir Launcelot followed a brachate into a castle where he found a dead knight and how he after was required of a damsel to heal her brother now leave we there in speak of Sir Launcelot that rode a great while in a deep forest where he saw black brachate seeking in manner as it had been the foot of a hurt dear and therewith he rode after the brachate and he saw lie on the ground a large foot of blood and then Sir Launcelot rode after and ever the brachate looked behind her and so she went through a great marsh and ever Sir Launcelot followed and then was he aware of an old manner and there ran the brachate and so over the bridge so Sir Launcelot rode over that bridge that was old and feeble and when he came in midst of a great hall there he saw lie a dead knight that was a seemly man and that brachate licked his wounds and therewith all came out a lady weeping and wringing her hands and then she said oh knight too much sorrow has thou brought me why say ye so said Sir Launcelot it did never this night no harm for hither by foot of blood this brachate brought me and therefore fair lady be not displeased with me for I am fully sore aggrieved of your grievance truly Sir she said I throw it be not ye that hath slain my husband for he that did that deed is sore wounded and he is never likely to recover that shall I ensure him what was your husband's name said Sir Launcelot Sir said she his name was called Sir Gilbert the Bastard one of the best knights of the world and he that hath slain him I know not his name now God send you better comfort said Sir Launcelot and so he departed and went into the forest again and there he met with a damsel the witch knew him well and she said aloud well be you found my lord and now I require thee of thine eye to help my brother that is sore wounded and never stinteth bleeding for this day he fought with the Sir Gilbert the Bastard and slew him in plain battle and there was my brother sore wounded and there is a lady a sorceress that welleth in a castle here beside and this day she told me my brother's wounds should never be whole till I could find a knight that would go into the chapel perilius and there he should find a sword and a bloody cloth that the wounded knight was slapped in and a piece of that cloth and sword should heal my brother's wounds so that his wounds were searched with the sword and the cloth this is a marvelous thing but what is your brother's name but what is your brother's name sir she said his name was Sir Meliot the Logre that me repenteth said Sir Lawnslot for he is a fellow of the table round and to his help I will do my power and to his help I will do my power then sir said she follow even this highway and it will bring you unto the chapel perilius and here I shall abide till God send you here again and but your speed I know no knight living that may achieve that adventure End of book 6 chapters 11 to 14 of Le Mord d'Arctur Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Mallory Read by Lars Rolander