Le Morte Darthur
all their strength that they might drive, that both their spears
to-brast even to their hands, and then they flung out with their
swords, and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth out
of measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalatine on the helm, that his nose
burst out on blood, and ears and mouth both, and therewith his head
hung low. And therewith his horse ran away with him, and he fell down
to the earth.
Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his hand, and, or
ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the earth sixteen knights,
some horse and man, and some the man and not the horse, and there was
none but that he hit surely he bare none arms that day. And then he gat
another great spear, and smote down twelve knights, and the most part
of them never throve after. And then the knights of the king of
Northgalis would just no more, and there the prize was given unto king
Bagdemagus. So either party departed unto his own place, and Sir
Launcelot rode forth with king Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there he
had passing good cheer both with the king and with his daughter, and
they proffered him great gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and
told king Bagdemagus that he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel,
that went from him when that he slept. So he took his horse, and
betaught 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 Launcelot departed, and by adventure he came into the same
forest where he was taken sleeping. And in the midst of an highway he
met a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and there either saluted other.
Fair damsel, said Sir Launcelot, know ye in this country any
adventures? Sir knight, said that damsel, here are adventures near
hand, and thou durst prove them. Why should I not prove adventures?
said Sir Launcelot; for that cause came I hither. Well, said she, thou
seemest 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 mightiest
that ever thou found, so thou wilt tell me what is thy name, and what
knight thou art. Damsel, as for to tell thee my name, I take no great
force: truly, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Sir, thou beseemest
well, here be adventures by that fall for thee, for hereby dwelleth a
knight that will not be overmatched for no man that I know, unless ye
overmatch him, and his name is Sir Turquine. And, as I understand, he
hath in his prison of Arthur’s court good knights threescore and four
that he hath won with his own hands. But when ye have done that day’s
work 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 fulfil, so ye will
bring me unto this knight. Now, fair knight, come on your way. And so
she brought him unto the ford, and unto the tree where hung the basin.
So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the basin
with the butt 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 endlong
the gates of that manor nigh half an hour. And then was he ware of a
great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the horse
there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and near,
Sir Launcelot thought he should know him; then Sir Launcelot was ware
that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, a knight of the Table
Round. Now fair damsel, said Sir Launcelot, I see yonder cometh a
knight fast bound that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto Sir
Gawaine. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of God,
to rescue that knight; and unless his master sit better in the saddle I
shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am
sure that he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him. By that time
that either had seen other they gripped their spears unto them. Now
fair knight, said Sir Launcelot, put that wounded knight off the horse,
and let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths. For as it
is informed me, thou doest 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, said Turquine, I defy thee and all thy fellowship.
That is over much said, said Sir Launcelot.
CHAP. VIII.
_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine 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 the
midst of their shields, that both their horses’ backs brast under them,
and the knights were both astonied, and as soon as they might avoid
their horses they took their shields afore 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 awhile they had both grimly wounds, and bled
passing grievously. Thus they fared two hours or more, trasing and
rasing either other where they might hit any bare place. Then at the
last they were breathless both, and stood leaning on their swords. Now
fellow, said Sir Turquine, hold thy hand awhile, and tell me what I
shall ask thee. Say on. Then Turquine said, Thou art the biggest man
that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and like one knight that
I hate above all other knights; so be it that thou be not he I will
lightly accord with thee, and for thy love I will deliver all the
prisoners that I have, that is threescore and four, so thou wilt tell
me thy name. And thou and I we will be fellows together, and never to
fail the while that I live. It is well said, said Sir Launcelot, but
sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight is he that
thou so hatest above all other? Faithfully, said Sir Turquine, his name
is Sir Launcelot du Lake, for he slew my brother Sir Carados at the
dolorous tower, that was one of the best knights on live; and therefore
him I except of knights, for may I once meet with him the one of us
shall make an end of other, I make mine avow. And for Sir Launcelot’s
sake I have slain an hundred good knights, and as many I have maimed
all utterly that they might never after help themselves, and many have
died in prison, and yet I have threescore and four, and all shall be
delivered, so thou wilt tell me thy name, so it be that thou be not Sir
Launcelot.
Now see I well, said Sir Launcelot, that such a man I might be that I
might have peace; and such a man I might be that there should be war
mortal betwixt us: and now sir knight, at thy request I will that thou
wit and know that I am Launcelot du Lake, king Ban’s son of Benwick,
and very knight of the Table Round. And now I defy thee, do thy best.
Ah, said Turquine, Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome that ever
was knight, for we shall never part till the one of us be dead. Then
they hurtled together as two wild bulls, rashing and lashing with their
shields and swords that sometimes they fell both over their noses. Thus
they fought still two hours and more, and never would have rest, and
Sir Turquine gave Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the ground there
as they fought was all bespeckled with blood.
CHAP. IX.
_How Sir Turquine was slain, and how Sir Launcelot bade Sir Gaheris
deliver all the prisoners._
Then at the last Sir Turquine waxed faint, and gave somewhat aback, and
bare his shield low for weariness. That espied Sir Launcelot and lept
upon him fiercely and got him by the beaver of his helmet, and plucked
him down on his knees, and anon he rased off his helm, and smote his
neck in sunder. And when Sir Launcelot had done this he went unto the
damsel and said, Damsel, I am ready to go with you where ye will have
me, but I have no horse. Fair sir, said she, take this wounded knight’s
horse, and send him into this manor, and command him to deliver all the
prisoners. So Sir Launcelot went unto Gaheris, and prayed him not to be
aggrieved for to lend him his horse. Nay, fair lord, said Sir Gaheris,
I will that ye 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 sir, said Sir Gaheris, I
pray you tell me your name? Sir, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, that
ought to help you of right for king Arthur’s sake, and in especial for
my lord Sir Gawaine’s sake, your own dear brother; and when that ye
come within yonder manor I am sure ye 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 Kay’s shield, and Sir Brandel’s shield, and Sir
Marhaus’ shield, and Sir Galind’s shield, and Sir Brian Listonoise’s
shield, and Sir Aliduke’s shield, with many more that I am 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 there such stuff as they find, and that in any wise my
brethren go unto the court and abide me there till that I come, for by
the feast of Pentecost I cast me to be there, for at this time I must
ride with this damsel for to save my promise. And so he departed from
Gaheris, and Sir Gaheris went into the manor, and there he found a
yeoman porter keeping there many keys. Anon withal Sir Gaheris threw
the porter unto the ground, and took the keys from him, and hastily 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 Gaheris,
all they thanked him, for they wend that he was wounded. Not so, said
Gaheris, it was Launcelot that slew him worshipfully with his own
hands, I saw it with mine own eyes. And he greeteth you all well, and
prayeth you to haste you to the court, and as unto Sir Lionel and Ector
de Maris, he prayeth you to abide 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 Kay, find him or I come at the court, as I am true knight.
Then all those knights sought the house where as the armour was, and
then they armed them, and every knight found his own horse, and all
that belonged unto him. And when ever this was done, there came a
forester with four horses laden with fat venison. Anon Sir Kay said,
Here is good meat for us for one meal, for we had not many a day no
good repast. And so that venison was roasted, baked, and sodden, and so
after supper some abode there all that night, but Sir Lionel and Ector
de Maris and Sir Kay rode after Sir Launcelot to find him if they might.
CHAP. X.
_How Sir Launcelot rode with the damsel and slew a knight that
distressed all ladies, and also a villain that kept a bridge._
Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that rode with the damsel in a fair high
way. Sir, said the damsel, here by this way haunteth a knight that
distresseth all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth
them or ill-useth them. What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief and a
knight, and a ravisher of women? He doth shame unto the order of
knighthood and contrary to his oath, it is pity that he liveth. But
fair damsel ye shall ride on afore yourself, and I will keep myself in
covert, 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 awhile came out that knight on