Le Morte Darthur
defend their cause against the strong; and all these irradiated and
glorified, as often as may be, by that sentiment which
‘——gives to every power a double power,
Above their functions and their offices;’—
these are the things which make the lady and the gentleman.
And if it should seem as though the chivalry of our own times is
reduced to something less noble than that of old, when men risked life,
and things dearer than life, in defending the weak and attacking the
oppressor in his strongholds—when the hardness of the actual fight
against evil-doers was not exaggerated in the romances which pictured
the knights contending with dragons and enchanters and giants—we must
remember that our nineteenth century world is yet far from cleared of
the monstrous powers of evil, which still oppress and devour the weak;
and that a battle, not really less resolute, nor, if need be, less
desperate, than those of old, is still carried on by those who, under
the modest guise of common life, are fighting in the true spirit of
chivalry—uniting the most adventurous enthusiasm with the most patient
endurance, and both with the gentlest service of the poor, the weak,
and the oppressed; and, what is most worthy of admiration, the service
of the morally poor, and weak, and oppressed, who, but for such
deliverers, must remain in a house of bondage darker than can be built
or barred by earthly hands.
But whether we are content with the chivalry of manners, or aspire to a
place in the brotherhood of the chivalry of action, our principles, our
maxims, and our examples have come down to us as an inheritance from
the past:—an inheritance common to all who care to claim it; and won
for us by the old knights, fighting in the name of God and of their
ladies[46].
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THE BOOK OF
KING ARTHUR
AND OF HIS NOBLE
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.
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PREFACE OF WILLIAM CAXTON.
After that I had accomplished and finished divers histories, as well of
contemplation as of other historial and worldly acts of great
conquerors and princes, and also certain books of ensamples and
doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of England came
and demanded me many and ofttimes, wherefore that I have not do made
and imprint the noble history of the Saint Greal, and of the most
renowned Christian king, first and chief of the three best Christian,
and worthy, king Arthur, which ought most to be remembered amongst us
Englishmen tofore all other Christian kings; for it is notoriously
known through the universal world, that there be nine worthy and the
best that ever were, that is to wit, three Paynims, three Jews, and
three Christian men. As for the Paynims, they were tofore the
Incarnation of Christ, which were named, the first Hector of Troy, of
whom the history is comen both in ballad and in prose, the second
Alexander the Great, and the third Julius Cæsar, Emperor of Rome, of
whom the histories be well known and had. And as for the three Jews,
which also were tofore the incarnation of our Lord, of whom the first
was duke Joshua which brought the children of Israel into the land of
behest, the second David king of Jerusalem, and the third Judas
Machabeus. Of these three the Bible rehearseth all their noble
histories and acts. And since the said incarnation have been three
noble Christian men, stalled and admitted through the universal world
into the number of the nine best and worthy. Of whom was first the
noble Arthur, whose noble acts I purpose to write in this present book
here following. The second was Charlemain, or Charles the Great, of
whom the history is had in many places, both in French and in English.
And the third and last was Godfrey of Boloine, of whose acts and life I
made a book unto the excellent prince and king of noble memory, king
Edward the Fourth. The said noble gentlemen instantly required me to
imprint the history of the said noble king and conqueror king Arthur,
and of his knights, with the history of the Saint Greal, and of the
death and ending of the said Arthur; affirming that I ought rather to
imprint his acts and noble feats, than of Godfrey of Boloine, or any of
the other eight, considering that he was a man born within this realm,
and king and emperor of the same: and that there be in French divers
and many noble volumes of his acts, and also of his knights. To whom I
answered that divers men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur,
and that all such books as been made of him, be but feigned and fables,
because that some chronicles make of him no mention, nor remember him
nothing, nor of his knights. Whereto they answered, and one in special
said, that in him that should say or think that there was never such a
king called Arthur, might well be aretted great folly and blindness.
For he said that there were many evidences of the contrary. First ye
may see his sepulchre in the monastery of Glastingbury. And also in
Policronicon, in the fifth book the sixth chapter, and in the seventh
book the twenty-third chapter, where his body was buried, and after
found, and translated into the said monastery. Ye shall see also in the
history of Bochas in his book _De Casu Principum_ part of his noble
acts, and also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his British book
recounteth his life: and in divers places of England many remembrances
be yet of him, and shall remain perpetually, and also of his knights.
First in the abbey of Westminster, at St. Edward’s shrine, remaineth
the print of his seal in red wax closed in beryl, in which is written,
_Patricius Arthurus Britannie, Gallie, Germanie, Dacie, Imperator_.
Item in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawaine’s scull, and Cradok’s
mantle: at Winchester the Round Table: in other places Launcelot’s
sword and many other things. Then all these things considered, there
can no man reasonably gainsay but that there was a king of this land
named Arthur. For in all places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed
and taken for one of the nine worthy, and the first of the three
Christian men. And also, he is more spoken of beyond the sea, more
books made of his noble acts, than there be in England, as well in
Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Greekish, as in French. And yet of record
remain in witness of him in Wales, in the town of Camelot, the great
stones and the marvellous works of iron lying under the ground, and
royal vaults, which divers now living have seen. Wherefore it is a
marvel why he is no more renowned in his own country, save only it
accordeth to the Word of God, which saith that no man is accepted for a
prophet in his own country. Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I
could not well deny but that there was such a noble king named Arthur,
and reputed one of the nine worthy, and first and chief of the
Christian men. And many noble volumes be made of him and of his noble
knights in French, which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which be
not had in our maternal tongue. But in Welsh be many and also in
French, and some in English but no where nigh all. Wherefore, such as
have late been drawn out briefly into English I have after the simple
conning that God hath sent to me, under the favour and correction of
all noble lords and gentlemen, enprised to imprint a book of the noble
histories of the said king Arthur, and of certain of his knights, after
a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did take out of
certain books of French, and reduced it into English. And I, according
to my copy, have down set it in print, to the intent that noble men may
see and learn the noble acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds
that some knights used in those days, by which they came to honour, and
how they that were vicious were punished and oft put to shame and
rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other
estates of what estate or degree they been of, that shall see and read
in this said book and work, that they take the good and honest acts in
their remembrance, and to follow the same. Wherein they shall find many
joyous and pleasant histories, and noble and renowned acts of humanity,
gentleness, and chivalry. For herein may be seen noble chivalry,
courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship,
cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave
the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renommee. And for to
pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in, but for to give
faith and belief that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at
your liberty: but all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware
that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue, by
the which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life,
and after this short and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss
in heaven; the which He grant us that reigneth in heaven, the blessed
Trinity. Amen.
Then to proceed forth in this said book, the which I direct unto all
noble princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire
to read or hear read of the noble and joyous history of the great
conqueror and excellent king, King Arthur, sometime king of this noble
realm, then called Britain; I, William Caxton, simple person, present
this book following, which I have enprised to imprint: and treateth of
the noble acts, feats of arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness,
humanity, love, courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful
histories and adventures. And for to understand briefly the content of
this volume, I have divided it into XXI Books, and every book
chaptered, as hereafter shall by God’s grace follow. The First Book
shall treat how Uther Pendragon gat the noble conqueror king Arthur,
and containeth xxviii chapters. The Second Book treateth of Balin the
noble knight, and containeth xix chapters. The Third Book treateth of
the marriage of king Arthur to queen Guenever, with other matters, and
containeth xv chapters. The Fourth Book, how Merlin was assotted, and
of war made to king Arthur, and containeth xxix chapters. The Fifth
Book treateth of the conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth xii
chapters. The Sixth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and
marvellous adventures, and containeth xviii chapters. The Seventh Book
treateth of a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir Kay
Beaumains, and containeth xxxvi chapters. The Eighth Book treateth of
the birth of Sir Tristram the noble knight, and of his acts, and
containeth xli chapters. The Ninth Book treateth of a knight named by
Sir Kay Le Cote male taille, and also of Sir Tristram, and containeth
xliv chapters. The Tenth Book treateth of Sir Tristram, and other
marvellous adventures, and containeth lxxxviii chapters. The Eleventh
Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth xiv
chapters. The Twelfth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and his madness,
and containeth xiv chapters. The Thirteenth Book treateth how Galahad
came first to king Arthur’s court, and the quest how the Sangreal was
begun, and containeth xx chapters. The Fourteenth Book treateth of the
quest of the Sangreal, and containeth x chapters. The Fifteenth Book
treateth of Sir Launcelot, and containeth vi chapters. The Sixteenth
Book treateth of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel his brother, and containeth
xvii chapters. The Seventeenth Book treateth of the Sangreal, and
containeth xxiii chapters. The Eighteenth Book treateth of Sir
Launcelot and the queen, and containeth xxv chapters. The Nineteenth