King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
fetch me my shield and sword, and also the great club of iron ye will
see there; and as for the treasure, ye shall find there wealth beyond
counting, but take as much as ye will, for I have his kirtle and the
club, I desire no more."
Then the knights fetched the club and kirtle, as the king had ordered,
and took the treasure to themselves, as much as they could carry, and
returned to the army. But when this deed was noised abroad, all the
people came in multitudes to thank the king, who told them "to give
thanks to God, and to divide the giant's spoils amongst them equally."
And King Arthur desired Sir Hoel to build a church upon the mount, and
dedicate it to the Archangel Michael.
On the morrow, all the host moved onwards into the country of Champagne,
and Flollo, the Roman tribune, retired before them into Paris. But
while he was preparing to collect more forces from the neighboring
countries, King Arthur came upon him unawares; and besieged him in the
town.
And when a month had passed, Flollo--full of grief at the starvation of
his people, who died in hundreds day by day--sent to King Arthur, and
desired that they two might fight together; for he was a man of mighty
stature and courage, and thought himself sure of the victory. This
challenge, King Arthur, full weary of the siege, accepted with great
joy, and sent back word to Flollo that he would meet him whensoever he
appointed.
And a truce being made on both sides, they met together the next day on
the island without the city, where all the people also were gathered to
see the issue. And as the king and Flollo rode up to the lists, each was
so nobly armed and horsed, and sat so mightily upon his saddle, that no
man could tell which way the battle would end.
When they had saluted one another, and presented themselves against each
other with their lances aloft, they put spurs to their horses and began
a fierce encounter. But King Arthur, carrying his spear more warily,
struck it on the upper part of Flollo's breast, and flung him from his
saddle to the earth. Then drawing his sword, he cried to him to rise,
and rushed upon him; but Flollo, starting up, met him with his spear
couched, and pierced the breast of King Arthur's horse, and overthrew
both horse and man.
The Britons, when they saw their king upon the ground, could scarcely
keep themselves from breaking up the truce and falling on the Gauls. But
as they were about to burst the barriers, and rush upon the lists, King
Arthur hastily arose, and, guarding himself with his shield, ran with
speed on Flollo. And now they renewed the assault with great rage, being
sorely bent upon each other's death.
At length, Flollo, seizing his advantage, gave King Arthur a huge stroke
upon the helm, which nigh overthrew him, and drew forth his blood in
streams.
But when King Arthur saw his armor and shield all red with blood, he was
inflamed with fury, and lifting up Excalibur on high, with all his
might, he struck straight through the helmet into Flollo's head, and
smote it into halves; and Flollo falling backwards, and tearing up the
ground with his spurs, expired.
As soon as this news spread, the citizens all ran together, and, opening
the gates, surrendered the city to the conqueror.
And when he had overrun the whole province with his arms, and reduced it
everywhere to subjection, he returned again to Britain, and held his
court at Caerleon, with greater state than ever.
Anon he invited thereto all the kings, dukes, earls, and barons, who
owed him homage, that he might treat them royally, and reconcile them to
each other, and to his rule.
And never was there a city more fit and pleasant for such festivals. For
on one side it was washed by a noble river, so that the kings and
princes from the countries beyond sea might conveniently sail up to it;
and on the other side, the beauty of the groves and meadows, and the
stateliness and magnificence of the royal palaces, with lofty gilded
roofs, made it even rival the grandeur of Rome. It was famous also for
two great and noble churches, whereof one was built in honor of the
martyr Julius, and adorned with a choir of virgins who had devoted
themselves wholly to the service of God; and the other, founded in
memory of St. Aaron, his companion, maintained a convent of canons, and
was the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there was a
college of two hundred philosophers, learned in astronomy, and all the
other sciences and arts.
In this place, therefore, full of such delights, King Arthur held his
court, with many jousts and tournaments, and royal huntings, and rested
for a season after all his wars.
And on a certain day there came into the court a messenger from Ryence,
King of North Wales, bearing this message from his master: That King
Ryence had discomfited eleven kings, and had compelled each one of them
to cut off his beard; that he had trimmed a mantle with these beards,
and lacked but one more beard to finish it; and that he therefore now
sent for King Arthur's beard, which he required of him forthwith, or
else he would enter his lands and burn and slay, and never leave them
till he had taken by force not his beard only, but his head also.
When King Arthur heard these words he flushed all scarlet, and rising in
great anger said, "Well it is for thee that thou speakest another man's
words with thy lips, and not thine own. Thou hast said thy message,
which is the most insolent and villainous that ever man heard sent to
any king: now hear my reply. My beard is yet too young to trim that
mantle of thy master's with; yet, young although I be, I owe no homage
either to him or any man--nor will ever owe. But, young although I be, I
will have thy master's homage upon both his knees before this year be
past, or else he shall lose his head, by the faith of my body, for this
message is the shamefullest I ever heard speak of. I see well thy king
hath never yet met with a worshipful man; but tell him that King Arthur
will have his head or his worship right soon."
Then the messenger departed, and Arthur, looking round upon his knights,
demanded of them if any there knew this King Ryence. "Yea," answered Sir
Noran, "I know him well, and there be few better or stronger knights
upon a field than he; and he is passing proud and haughty in his heart;
wherefore I doubt not, Lord, he will make war on thee with mighty
power."
"Well," said King Arthur, "I shall be ready for him, and that shall he
find."
While the king thus spoke, there came into the hall a damsel having on a
mantle richly furred, which she let fall, and showed herself to be
girded with a noble sword. The king being surprised at this, said,
"Damsel, wherefore art thou girt with that sword, for it beseemeth thee
not?" "Sir," said she, "I will tell thee. This sword wherewith I am thus
girt gives me great sorrow and encumbrance, for I may not be delivered
from it till I find a knight faithful and pure and true, strong of body
and of valiant deeds, without guile or treachery, who shall be able to
draw it from its scabbard, which no man else can do. And I have but just
now come from the court of King Ryence, for there they told me many
great and good knights were to be ever found; but he and all his knights
have tried to draw it forth in vain--for none of them can move it."
"This is a great marvel," said King Arthur; "I will myself try to draw
forth this sword, not thinking in my heart that I am the best knight,
but rather to begin and give example that all may try after me." Saying
this, he took the sword and pulled at it with all his might, but could
not shake or move it.
"Thou needest not strive so hard, Lord," said the damsel, "for whoever
may be able to pull it forth shall do so very easily."
"Thou sayest well," replied the king, remembering how he had himself
drawn forth the sword from the stone before St. Paul's. "Now try ye, all
my barons; but beware ye be not stained with shame, or any treachery, or
guile." And turning away his face from them, King Arthur mused full
heavily on sins within his breast he knew of, and which his failure
brought to mind right sadly.
Then all the barons present tried each after other, but could none of
them succeed; whereat the damsel greatly wept, and said, "Alas, alas! I
thought in this court to have found the best knight, without shame or
treachery or treason."
Now by chance there was at that time a poor knight with King Arthur, who
had been prisoner at his court for half a year or more, charged with
slaying unawares a knight who was a cousin of the king's. He was named
Balin le Savage, and had been by the good offices of the barons
delivered from prison, for he was of good and valiant address and gentle
blood. He being secretly present at the court saw this advantage, and
felt his heart rise high within him, and longed to try the sword as did
the others; but being poor and poorly clad, he was ashamed to come
forward in the press of knights and nobles. But in his heart he felt
assured that he could do better--if Heaven willed--than any knight among
them all.
So as the damsel left the king, he called to her and said, "Damsel, I
pray thee of thy courtesy, suffer me to try the sword as well as all
these lords; for though I be but poorly clad, I feel assurance in my
heart."
The damsel looked at him, saw in him a likely and an honest man, but
because of his poor garments could not think him to be any knight of
worship, and said, "Sir, there is no need to put me to any more pain or
labor; why shouldst thou succeed where so many worthy ones have failed?"
"Ah, fair lady," answered Balin, "worthiness and brave deeds are not
shown by fair raiment but manhood and truth lie hid within the heart.
There be many worshipful knights unknown to all the people."
"By my faith, thou sayest truth," replied the damsel; "try therefore, if
thou wilt, what thou canst do."
So Balin took the sword by the girdle and hilt, and drew it lightly out,
and looking on its workmanship and brightness, it pleased him greatly.
But the king and all the barons marveled at Sir Balin's fortune, and
many knights were envious of him, for, "Truly," said the damsel, "this
is a passing good knight, and the best man I have ever found, and the
most worshipfully free from treason, treachery, or villainy, and many
wonders shall he achieve.
"Now, gentle and courteous knight," continued she, turning to Balin,
"give me the sword again."
"Nay," said Sir Balin, "save it be taken from me by force, I shall
preserve this sword for evermore."
"Thou art not wise," replied the damsel, "to keep it from me; for if
thou wilt do so, thou shall slay with it the best friend thou hast, and
the sword shall be thine own destruction also."
"I will take whatever adventure God may send," said Balin; "but the
sword will I keep, by the faith of my body."
"Thou will repent it shortly," said the damsel; "I would take the sword
for thy sake rather than for mine, for I am passing grieved and heavy
for thy sake, who wilt not believe the peril I foretell thee." With that
she departed, making great lamentation.
Then Balin sent for his horse and armor, and took his leave of King
Arthur, who urged him to stay at his court. "For," said he, "I believe
that thou art displeased that I showed thee unkindness; blame me not
overmuch, for I was misinformed against thee, and knew not truly what a
knight of worship thou art. Abide in this court with my good knights,
and I will so advance thee that thou shalt be well pleased."
"God thank thee, Lord," said Balin, "for no man can reward thy bounty
and thy nobleness; but at this time I must needs depart, praying thee
ever to hold me in thy favor."
"Truly," said King Arthur, "I am grieved for thy departure; but tarry