Le Morte Darthur
that he make her amends of all the trespass he hath done against her
and her lands. And also, when that is done, that ye go unto the court
of king Arthur, and there that ye ask Sir Launcelot mercy, and Sir
Gawaine, for the evil will ye have had against them. Sir, said the red
knight of the red lawns, all this will I do as ye command, and certain
assurance and sureties ye shall have. And so then when the assurance
was made, he made his homage and fealty, and all those earls and barons
with him. And then the maiden Linet came to Sir Beaumains and unarmed
him, and searched his wounds, and stinted his blood, and in likewise
she did to the red knight of the red lawns. And there they sojourned
ten days in their tents, and the red knight made his lords and servants
to do all the pleasure that they might unto Sir Beaumains. And so
within a while the red knight of the red lawns went unto the castle and
put him in the lady Liones’ grace, and so she received him upon
sufficient surety; so all her hurts were well restored of all that she
could complain. And then he departed unto the court of king Arthur, and
there openly the red knight of the red lawns put him in the mercy of
Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine, and there he told openly how he was
overcome and by whom, and also he told all the battles from the
beginning unto the ending. Mercy, said king Arthur and Sir Gawaine, we
marvel much of what blood he is come, for he is a noble knight. Have ye
no marvel, said Sir Launcelot, for ye shall right well wit that he is
come of a full noble blood, and as for his might and hardiness there be
but few now living that is so mighty as he is, and so noble of prowess.
It seemeth by you, said king Arthur, that ye know his name, and from
whence he is come, and of what blood he is. I suppose I do so, said
Launcelot, or else I would not have given him the order of knighthood;
but he gave me such charge at that time that I should never discover
him until he required me, or else it be known openly by some other.
CHAP. XIX.
_How Beaumains came to the lady, and when he came to the castle the
gates were closed against him, and of the words that the lady said to
him._
Now turn we unto Sir Beaumains, that desired of Linet that he might see
her sister his lady. Sir, said she, I would fain ye saw her. Then Sir
Beaumains all armed him, and took his horse and his spear, and rode
straight unto the castle. And when he came to the gate he found there
many men armed, and pulled up the drawbridge and drew the port close.
Then marvelled he why they would not suffer him to enter. And then he
looked up to the window; and there he saw the fair Liones, that said on
high, Go thy way, Sir Beaumains, for as yet thou shalt not have wholly
my love, unto the time that thou be called one of the number of the
worthy knights. And therefore go labour in worship this twelvemonth,
and then thou shalt hear new tidings. Alas, fair lady, said Beaumains,
I have not deserved that ye should shew me this strangeness, and I had
wend that I should have right good cheer with you, and unto my power I
have deserved thank, and well I am sure I have bought your love with
part of the best blood within my body. Fair courteous knight, said dame
Liones, be not displeased nor over hasty; for wit ye well your great
travail nor good love shall not be lost, for I consider your great
travail and labour, your bounty and your goodness, as me ought to do.
And therefore go on your way, and look that ye be of good comfort, for
all shall be for your worship and for the best, and perdy a twelvemonth
will soon be done, and trust me, fair knight, I shall be true to you,
and never to betray you, but to my death I shall love you and none
other. And therewithal she turned her from the window; and Sir
Beaumains rode away ward from the castle, making great dole, and so he
rode here and there, and wist not where he rode, till it was dark
night. And then it happened him to come to a poor man’s house, and
there he was harboured all that night. But Sir Beaumains had no rest,
but wallowed and writhed for the love of the lady of the castle. And so
upon the morrow he took his horse, and rode until underne, and then he
came to a broad water, and thereby was a great lodge, and there he
alight to sleep, and laid his head upon the shield, and betook his
horse to the dwarf, and commanded him to watch all night. Now turn we
to the lady of the same castle that thought much upon Beaumains, and
then she called unto her Sir Gringamore her brother, and prayed him in
all manner, as he loved her heartily, that he would ride after Sir
Beaumains, and ever have ye wait upon him till ye may find him
sleeping, for I am sure in his heaviness he will alight down in some
place and lay him down to sleep: and therefore have ye your wait upon
him, and in the priviest manner ye can, take his dwarf, and go ye your
way with him as fast as ever ye may or Sir Beaumains awake. For my
sister Linet telleth me that he can tell of what kindred he is come,
and what is his right name. And the mean while I and my sister will
ride unto your castle to await when ye bring with you the dwarf. And
then when ye have brought him unto your castle I will have him in
examination myself: unto the time I know what is his right name and of
what kindred he is come, shall I never be merry at my heart. Sister,
said Sir Gringamore, all this shall be done after your intent. And so
he rode all the other day and the night till that he found Sir
Beaumains lying by a water, and his head upon his shield, for to sleep.
And then when he saw Sir Beaumains fast on sleep, he came stilly
stalking behind the dwarf, and plucked him fast under his arm, and so
he rode away with him as fast as ever he might unto his own castle. And
this Sir Gringamore’s arms were all black, and that to him belonged.
But ever as he rode with the dwarf toward his castle, he cried unto his
lord and prayed him of help. And therewith awoke Sir Beaumains, and up
he lept lightly, and saw where Sir Gringamore rode his way with the
dwarf, and so Sir Gringamore rode out of his sight.
CHAP. XX.
_How Sir Beaumains rode after to rescue his dwarf, and came into the
castle where he was._
Then Sir Beaumains put on his helm anon, and buckled his shield, and
took his horse and rode after him all that ever he might ride, through
marshes and fields and great dales, that many times his horse and he
plunged over the head in deep mires, for he knew not the way, but took
the gainest way in that fury, that many times he was like to perish.
And at the last him happened to come to a fair green way, and there he
met with a poor man of the country whom he saluted, and asked him
whether he met not with a knight upon a black horse and all black
harness, and a little dwarf sitting behind him with heavy cheer. Sir,
said this poor man, here by me came Sir Gringamore the knight, with
such a dwarf mourning as ye say, and therefore I counsel you not follow
him, for he is one of the most perilous knights of the world, and his
castle is here nigh hand but two mile, therefore we advise you ride not
after Sir Gringamore, but if ye owe him good will.
So leave we Sir Beaumains riding toward the castle, and speak we of Sir
Gringamore and the dwarf. Anon as the dwarf was come to the castle,
dame Liones and dame Linet her sister, asked the dwarf where was his
master born, and of what lineage he was come? And but if thou tell me,
said dame Liones, thou shalt never escape this castle, but ever here to
be prisoner. As for that, said the dwarf, I fear not greatly to tell
his name, and of what kin he is come. Wit ye well he is a king’s son,
and his mother is sister to king Arthur, and he is brother to the good
knight Sir Gawaine, and his name is Sir Gareth of Orkney. And now I
have told you his right name, I pray you, fair lady, let me go to my
lord again, for he will never out of this country until that he have me
again. And if he be angry he will do much harm or that he be stint, and
work you wrack in this country. As for that threatening, said Sir
Gringamore, be it as it be may, we will go to dinner. And so they
washed and went to meat, and made them merry and well at ease, and
because the lady Liones of the castle was there they made great joy.
Truly madam, said Linet unto her sister, well may he be a king’s son,
for he hath many good taches on him, for he is courteous and mild, and
the most suffering man that ever I met withall. For I dare say there
was never gentlewoman reviled man in so foul manner as I have rebuked
him; and at all times he gave me goodly and meek answers again. And as
they sat thus talking, there came Sir Gareth in at the gate with an
angry countenance, and his sword drawn in his hand, and cried aloud
that all the castle might hear it, saying, Thou traitor Sir Gringamore,
deliver me my dwarf again, or by the faith that I owe to the order of
knighthood, I shall do thee all the harm that I can. Then Sir
Gringamore looked out at a window and said, Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave
thy boasting words, for thou gettest not thy dwarf again. Thou coward
knight, said Sir Gareth, bring him with thee, and come and do battle
with me, and win him and take him. So will I do, said Sir Gringamore,
and me list, but for all thy great words thou gettest him not. Ah! fair
brother, said dame Liones, I would he had his dwarf again, for I would
he were not wroth, for now he hath told me all my desire I keep no more
of the dwarf. And also, brother, he hath done much for me, and
delivered me from the red knight of the red lawns, and therefore,
brother, I owe him my service afore all knights living. And wit ye well
that I love him before all other, and full fain I would speak with him.
But in no wise I would that he wist what I were, but that I were
another strange lady. Well, said Sir Gringamore, since I know now your
will, I will obey now unto him. And right therewithall he went down
unto Sir Gareth, and said, Sir, I cry you mercy, and all that I have
misdone I will amend it at your will. And therefore I pray you that ye
would alight, and take such cheer as I can make you in this castle.
Shall I have my dwarf? said Sir Gareth. Yea, sir, and all the pleasure
that I can make you; for as soon as your dwarf told me what ye were,
and of what blood ye are come, and what noble deeds ye have done in
these marches, then I repented of my deeds. And then Sir Gareth alight,
and there came his dwarf and took his horse. O my fellow, said Sir
Gareth, I have had many adventures for thy sake. And so Sir Gringamore
took him by the hand, and led him into the hall where his own wife was.
CHAP. XXI.
_How Sir Gareth, otherwise called Beaumains, came to the presence of
his lady, and how they took acquaintance, and of their love._
And then came forth dame Liones arrayed like a princess, and there she
made him passing good cheer, and he her again. And they had goodly
language and lovely countenance together. And Sir Gareth thought many
times, Would that the lady of the castle perilous were so fair as she
was. There were all manner of games and plays of dancing and singing.
And ever the more Sir Gareth beheld that lady, the more he loved her,
and so he burned in love that he was past himself in his reason. And
forth toward night they went unto supper, and Sir Gareth might not eat
for his love was so hot, that he wist not where he was. All these looks
espied Sir Gringamore, and then after supper he called his sister dame
Liones unto a chamber and said, Fair sister, I have well espied your
countenance between you and this knight, and I will, sister, that ye
wit he is a full noble knight, and if ye can make him to abide here I