{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/mart/mart028.htm","path":"neu/mart/mart028.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart028.htm","text":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK II CHAPTER II\n \n Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends and Sagas\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n BOOK II\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n CHAPTER II\n \n How Balin, arrayed like a poor knight, pulled out the sword,\n which afterward was the cause of his death.\n \n THEN fell it so that time there was a poor knight with King\n Arthur, that had been prisoner with him half a year and more for\n slaying of a knight, the which was cousin unto King Arthur. The\n name of this knight was called Balin, and by good means of the\n barons he was delivered out of prison, for he was a good man\n named of his body, and he was born in Northumberland. And so he\n went privily into the court, and saw this adventure, whereof it\n raised his heart, and he would assay it as other knights did, but\n for he was poor and poorly arrayed he put him not far in press. \n But in his heart he was fully assured to do as well, if his grace\n happed him, as any knight that there was. And as the damosel\n took her leave of Arthur and of all the barons, so departing,\n this knight Balin called unto her, and said, Damosel, I pray you\n of your courtesy, suffer me as well to assay as these lords;\n though that I be so poorly clothed, in my heart meseemeth I am\n fully assured as some of these others, and meseemeth in my heart\n to speed right well. The damosel beheld the poor knight, and saw\n he was a likely man, but for his poor arrayment she thought he\n should be of no worship without villainy or treachery. And then\n she said unto the knight, Sir, it needeth not to put me to more\n pain or labour, for it seemeth not you to speed there as other\n have failed. Ah! fair damosel, said Balin, worthiness, and good\n tatches, and good deeds, are not only in arrayment, but manhood\n and worship is hid within man's person, and many a worshipful\n knight is not known unto all people, and therefore worship and\n hardiness is not in arrayment. By God, said the damosel, ye say\n sooth; therefore ye shall assay to do what ye may. Then Balin\n took the sword by the girdle <52>and sheath, and drew it out\n easily; and when he looked on the sword it pleased him much. \n Then had the king and all the barons great marvel that Balin had\n done that adventure, and many knights had great despite of Balin. \n Certes, said the damosel, this is a passing good knight, and the\n best that ever I found, and most of worship without treason,\n treachery, or villainy, and many marvels shall he do. Now,\n gentle and courteous knight, give me the sword again. Nay, said\n Balin, for this sword will I keep, but it be taken from me with\n force. Well, said the damosel, ye are not wise to keep the sword\n from me, for ye shall slay with the sword the best friend that ye\n have, and the man that ye most love in the world, and the sword\n shall be your destruction. I shall take the adventure, said\n Balin, that God will ordain me, but the sword ye shall not have\n at this time, by the faith of my body. Ye shall repent it within\n short time, said the damosel, for I would have the sword more for\n your avail than for mine, for I am passing heavy for your sake;\n for ye will not believe that sword shall be your destruction, and\n that is great pity. With that the damosel departed, making great\n sorrow.\n \n Anon after, Balin sent for his horse and armour, and so would\n depart from the court, and took his leave of King Arthur. Nay,\n said the king, I suppose ye will not depart so lightly from this\n fellowship, I suppose ye are displeased that I have shewed you\n unkindness; blame me the less, for I was misinformed against you,\n but I weened ye had not been such a knight as ye are, of worship\n and prowess, and if ye will abide in this court among my\n fellowship, I shall so advance you as ye shall be pleased. God\n thank your highness, said Balin, your bounty and highness may no\n man praise half to the value; but at this time I must needs\n depart, beseeching you alway of your good grace. Truly, said the\n king, I am right wroth for your departing; I pray you, fair\n knight, that ye tarry not long, and ye shall be right welcome to\n me, and to my barons, and I shall amend all miss that I have done\n against you; God thank your great lordship, said Balin, and\n therewith made him ready to depart. Then the most <53>part of\n the knights of the Round Table said that Balin did not this\n adventure all only by might, but by witchcraft.","title":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK II CHAPTER II","type":"page"}