Northern European Mythology
Malory: Book Thirteen, Part II
Malory: Book Thirteen, Part II
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Part II
Chapter XIII
Of The Adventure That Melias Had, And How Galahad Revenged Him, And How Melias
Was Carried Into An Abbey
And then rode Melias into an old forest, and therein he rode two days and
more. And then he came into a fair meadow, and there was a fair lodge of
boughs. And then he espied in that lodge a chair, wherein was a crown of gold,
subtily wrought. Also there were cloths covered upon the earth, and many
delicious meats set thereon. Sir Melias beheld this adventure, and thought it
marvellous, but he had no hunger, but of the crown of gold he took much keep;
and therewith he stooped down and took it up, and rode his way with it. And
anon he saw a knight came riding after him that said: Knight, set down that
crown which is not yours, and therefore defend you. Then Sir Melias blessed
him and said: Fair lord of heaven, help and save thy newmade knight. And then
they let their horses run as fast as they might, so that the other knight
smote Sir Melias through hauberk and through the left side, that he fell to
the earth nigh dead. And then he took the crown and went his way; and Sir
Melias lay still and had no power to stir. In the meanwhile by fortune there
came Sir Galahad and found him there in peril of death. And then he said: Ah,
Melias, who hath wounded you? therefore it had been better to have ridden the
other way. And when Sir Melias heard him speak: Sir, he said, for God's love
let me not die in this forest, but bear me unto the abbey here beside, that I
may be confessed and have my rights. It shall be done, said Galahad, but where
is he that hath wounded you? With that Sir Galahad heard in the leaves cry on
high: Knight, keep thee from me. Ah sir, said Melias, beware, for that is he
that hath slain me. Sir Galahad answered: Sir knight, come on your peril. Then
either dressed to other, and came together as fast as their horses might
run, and Galahad smote him so that his spear went through his shoulder, and
smote him down off his horse, and in the falling Galahad's spear brake. With
that came out another knight out of the leaves, and brake a spear upon
Galahad or ever he might turn him. Then Galahad drew out his sword and smote
off the left arm of him, so that it fell to the earth. And then he fled, and
Sir Galahad pursued fast after him. And then he turned again unto Sir
Melias, and there he alit and dressed him softly on his horse tofore him, for
the truncheon of his spear was in his body; and Sir Galahad start up behind
him, and held him in his arms, and so brought him to the abbey, and there
unarmed him and brought him to his chamber. And then he asked his Saviour. And
when he had received Him he said unto Sir Galahad: Sir, let death come when it
pleaseth him. And therewith he drew out the truncheon of the spear out of his
body: and then he swooned. Then came there an old monk which sometime had been
a knight, and beheld Sir Melias. And anon he ransacked him; and then he said
unto Sir Galahad: I shall heal him of his wound, by the grace of God, within
the term of seven weeks. Then was Sir Galahad glad, and unarmed him, and said
he would abide there three days. And then he asked Sir Melias how it stood
with him. Then he said he was turned unto helping, God be thanked.
Chapter XIV
How Sir Galahad Departed, And How He Was Commanded To Go To The Castle Of
Maidens To Destroy The Wicked Custom
Now will I depart, said Galahad, for I have much on hand, for many good
knights be full busy about it, and this knight and I were in the same quest
of the Sangreal. Sir, said the good man, for his sin he was thus wounded;
and I marvel, said the good man, how ye durst take upon you so rich a thing
as the high order of knighthood without clene confession, and that was the
cause ye were bitterly wounded. For the way on the right hand betokeneth
the highway of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the way of a good true good liver.
And the other way betokeneth the way of sinners and of misbelievers. And
when the devil saw your pride and presumption, for to take you in the quest of
the Sangreal, that made you to be overthrown, for it may not be achieved but
by virtuous living. Also, the writing on the cross was a signification of
heavenly deeds, and of knightly deeds in God's works, and no knightly deeds in
worldly works. And pride is head of all deadly sins, that caused this knight
to depart from Galahad. And where thou tookest the crown of gold thou sinnest
in covetise and in theft: all this were no knightly deeds. And this Galahad,
the holy knight, the which fought with the two knights, the two knights
signify the two deadly sins which were wholly in this knight Melias; and they
might not withstand you, for ye are without deadly sin. Now departed Galahad
from thence, and be-taught them all unto God. Sir Melias said: My lord
Galahad, as soon as I may ride I shall seek you. God send you health, said
Galahad, and so took his horse and departed, and rode many journeys forward
and backward, as adventure would lead him. And at the last it happened him to
depart from a place or a castle the which was named Abblasoure; and he had
heard no mass, the which he was wont ever to hear or ever he departed out of
any castle or place, and kept that for a custom. Then Sir Galahad came unto a
mountain where he found an old chapel, and found there nobody, for all, all
was desolate; and there he kneeled tofore the altar, and besought God of
wholesome counsel. So as he prayed he heard a voice that said: Go thou now,
thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and there do thou away the
wicked customs.
Chapter XV
How Sir Galahad Fought With The Knights Of The Castle, And Destroyed The
Wicked Custom
When Sir Galahad heard this he thanked God, and took his horse; and he
had not ridden but half a mile, he saw in a valley afore him a strong castle
with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a fair river that hight Severn;
and there he met with a man of great age, and either saluted other, and
Galahad asked him the castle's name. Fair sir, said he, it is the Castle of
Maidens. That is a cursed castle, said Galahad, and all they that be
conversant therein, for all pity is out thereof, and all hardiness and
mischief is therein. Therefore, I counsel you, sir knight, to turn again.
Sir, said Galahad, wit you well I shall not turn again. Then looked Sir
Galahad on his arms that nothing failed him, and then he put his shield afore
him; and anon there met him seven fair maidens, the which said unto him: Sir
knight, ye ride here in a great folly, for ye have the water to pass over.
Why should I not pass the water? said Galahad. So rode he away from them and
met with a squire that said: Knight, those knights in the castle defy you, and
defenden you ye go no further till that they wit what ye would. Fair sir, said
Galahad, I come for to destroy the wicked custom of this castle. Sir, an ye
will abide by that ye shall have enough to do. Go you now, said Galahad, and
haste my needs. Then the squire entered into the castle. And anon after there
came out of the castle seven knights, and all were brethren. And when they
saw Galahad they cried: Knight, keep thee, for we assure thee nothing but
death. Why, said Galahad, will ye all have ado with me at once? Yea, said
they, thereto mayest thou trust. Then Galahad put forth his spear and smote
the foremost to the earth, that near he brake his neck. And therewithal the
other smote him on his shield great strokes, so that their spears brake. Then
Sir Galahad drew out his sword, and set upon them so hard that it was marvel
to seet it, and so through great force he made them to forsake the field;
and Galahad chased them till they entered into the castle, and so passed
through the castle at another gate. And there met Sir Galahad an old man
clothed in religious clothing, and said: Sir, have here the keys of this
castle. Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so much people in the
streets that he might not number them, and all said: Sir, ye be welcome, for
long have we abiden here our deliverance. Then came to him a gentlewoman
and said: These knights be fled, but they will come again this night, and here
to begin again their evil custom. What will ye that I shall do? said Galahad.
Sir, said the gentlewoman, that ye send after all the knights hither that
hold their lands of this castle, and make them to swear for to use the
customs that were used heretofore of old time. I will well, said Galahad.
And there she brought him an horn of ivory, bounden with gold richly, and
said: Sir, blow this horn which will be heard two mile about this castle.
When Sir Galahad had blown the horn he set him down upon a bed. Then came a
priest to Galahad, and said: Sir, it is past a seven year agone that
these seven brethren came into this castle, and harboured with the lord of
this castle, that hight the Duke Lianour, and he was lord of all this
country. And when they espied the duke's daughter, that was a full fair
woman, then by their false covin they made debate betwixt themself, and the
duke of his goodness would have departed them, and there they slew him and
his eldest son. And then they took the maiden and the treasure of the
castle. And then by great force they held all the knights of this castle
against their will under their obeisance, and in great service and truage,
robbing and pillaging the poor common people of all that they had. So it
happened on a day the duke's daughter said: Ye have done unto me great wrong
to slay mine own father, and my brother, and thus to hold our lands: not for
then, she said, ye shall not hold this castle for many years, for by one
knight ye shall be overcome. Thus she prophesied seven years agone. Well,
said the seven knights, sithen ye say so, there shall never lady nor knight
pass this castle but they shall abide maugre their heads, or die therefor,
till that knight be come by whom we shall lose this castle. And therefore
is it called the Maidens' Castle, for they have devoured many maidens. Now,
said Galahad, is she here for whom this castle was lost? Nay sir, said the
priest, she was dead within these three nights after that she was thus
enforced; and sithen have they kept her younger sister, which endureth great
pains with more other ladies. By this were the knights of the country come,
and then he made them do homage and fealty to the king's daughter, and set
them in great ease of heart. And in the morn there came one to Galahad and
told him how that Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine, had slain the seven brethren.
I suppose well, said Sir Galahad, and took his armour and his horse, and
commended them unto God.
Chapter XVI
How Sir Gawaine Came To The Abbey For To Follow Galahad, And How He Was
Shriven To A Hermit
Now, saith the tale, after Sir Gawaine departed, he rode many journeys,
both toward and froward. And at the last he came to the abbey where Sir
Galahad had the white shield, and there Sir Gawaine learned the way to sewe
after Sir Galahad; and so he rode to the abbey where Melias lay sick, and
there Sir Melias told Sir Gawaine of the marvellous adventures that Sir
Galahad did. Certes, said Sir Gawaine, I am not happy that I took not the way
that he went, for an I may meet with him I will not depart from him lightly,
for all marvellous adventures that Sir Galahad achieveth. Sir, said one of the
monks, he will not of your fellowship. Why? said Sir Gawaine. Sir, said he,
for ye be wicked and sinful, and he is full blessed. Right as they thus stood
talking there came in riding Sir Gareth. And then they made joy either of
other. And on the morn they heard mass, and so departed. And by the way they
met with Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, and there Sir Uwaine told Sir Gawaine how he
had met with none adventure sith he departed from the court. Nor we, said Sir
Gawaine. And either promised other of the three knights not to depart while
they were in that quest, but if fortune caused it. So they departed and rode
by fortune till that they came by the Castle of Maidens; and there the seven
brethren espied the three knights, and said: Sithen, we be flemyd by one
knight from this castle, we shall destroy all the knights of King Arthur's
that we may overcome, for th love of Sir Galahad. And therewith the seven
knights set upon the three knights, and by fortune Sir Gawaine slew one of the
brethren, and each one of his fellows slew another, and so slew the remnant.
And then they took the way under the castle, and there they lost the way that
Sir Galahad rode, and there every each of them departed from other; and Sir
Gawaine rode till he came to an hermitage, and there he found the good man
saying his evensong of Our Lady; and there Sir Gawaine asked harbour for
charity, and the good man granted it him gladly. Then the good man asked him
what he was. Sir, he said, I am a knight of King Arthur's that am in the quest
of the Sangreal, and my name is Sir Gawaine. Sir, said the good man, I would
wit how it standeth betwixt God and you. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I will with a
good will shew you my life if it please you; and there he told the hermit How
a monk of an abbey called me wicked knight. He might well say it, said the
hermit, for when ye were first made knight you should have taken you to
knightly deeds and virtuous living, and ye have done the contrary, for ye have
lived mischievously many winters; and Sir Galahad is a maid and sinner never,
and that is the cause he shall achieve where he goeth that ye nor none such
shall not attain, nor none in your fellowship, for ye have used the most
untruest life that ever I heard knight live. For certes had ye not been so
wicked as ye are, never had the seven brethren been slain by you and your two
fellows. For Sir Galahad himself alone beat them all seven the day tofore, but
his living is such he shall slay no man lightly. Also I may say you the Castle
of Maidens betokeneth the good souls that were in prison afore the Incarnation
of Jesu Christ. And the seven knights betoken the seven deadly sins that
reigned that time in the world; and I may liken the good Galahad unto the son
of the High Father, that light within a maid, and bought all the souls out of
thrall: so did Sir Galahad deliver all the maidens out of the woful castle.
Now, Sir Gawaine, said the good man, thou must do penance for thy sin. Sir,
what penance shall I do? Such as I will give, said the good man. Nay, said Sir
Gawaine, I may do no penance; for we knights adventurous oft suffer great woe
and pain. Well, said the good man, and then he held his peace. And on the
morn Sir Gawaine departed from the hermit, and betaught him unto God. And by
adventure he met with Sir Aglovale and Sir Griflet, two knights of the Table
Round. And they two rode four days without finding of any adventure, and at
the fifth day they departed. And every each held as befel them by adventure.
Here leaveth the tale of Sir Gawaine and his fellows, and speak we of Sir
Galahad.
Chapter XVII
How Sir Galahad Met With Sir Launcelot And Sir Percivale, And Smote Them Down,
And Departed From Them
So when Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of Maidens he rode till
he came to a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Launcelot and Sir
Percivale, but they know him not, for he was new disguised. Right so Sir
Launcelot, his father, dressed his spear and brake it upon Sir Galahad, and
Galahad smote him so again that he smote down horse and man. And then he drew
his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale, and smote him so on the helm,
that it rove to the coif of steel; and had not the sword swerved Sir Percivale
had been slain, and with the stroke he fell out of his saddle. This jousts was
done tofore the hermitage where a recluse dwelled. And when she saw Sir
Galahad ride, she said: God be with thee, best knight of the world. Ah certes,
said she, all aloud that Launcelot and Percivale might hear it: An yonder two
knights had known thee as well as I do they would not have encountered with
thee. When Sir Galahad heard her say so he was adread to be known: therewith
he smote his horse with his spurs and rode a great pace froward them. Then
perceived they both that he was Galahad; and up they gat on their horses, and
rode fast after him, but in a while he was out of their sight. And then they
turned again with heavy cheer. Let us spere some tidings, said Percivale, at
yonder recluse. Do as ye list, said Sir Launcelot. When Sir Percivale came to
the recluse she knew him well enough, and Sir Launcelot both. But Sir
Launcelot rode overthwart and endlong in a wild forest, and held no path but
as wild adventure led him. And at the last he came to a stony cross which
departed two ways in waste land; and by the cross was a stone that was of
marble, but it was so dark that Sir Launcelot might not wit what it was. Then
Sir Launcelot looked by him, and saw an old chapel, and there he weened to
have found people; and Sir Launcelot tied his horse till a tree, and there he
did off his shield and hung it upon a tree. And then he went to the chapel
door, and found it waste and broken. And within he found a fair altar, full
richly arrayed with cloth of clene silk, and there stood a fair clean
candlestick, which bare six great candles, and the candlestick was of silver.
And when Sir Launcelot saw this light he had great will for to enter into the
chapel, but he could find no place where he might enter; then was he passing
heavy and dismayed. Then he returned and came to his horse and did off his
saddle and bridle, and let him pasture, and unlaced his helm, and ungirt his
sword, and laid him down to sleep upon his shield tofore the cross.
Chapter XVIII
How Sir Launcelot, Half Sleeping And Half Waking, Saw A Sick Man Born In A
Litter, And How He Was Healed With The Sangreal
And so he fell on sleep; and half waking and sleeping he saw come by him
two palfreys all fair and white, the which bare a litter, therein lying a
sick knight. And when he was nigh the cross he there abode still. All this
Sir Launcelot saw and beheld, for he slept not verily; and he heard him say:
O sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me? and when shall the holy vessel
come by me, where-through I shall be blessed? For I have endured thus long,
for little trespass. A full great while complained the knight thus, and always
Sir Launcelot heard it. With that Sir Launcelot saw the candlestick with the
six tapers come before the cross, and he saw nobody that brought it. Also
there came a table of silver, and the holy vessel of the Sangreal, which
Launcelot had seen aforetime in King Pescheour's house. And therewith the sick
knight set him up, and held up both his hands, and said: Fair sweet Lord,
which is here within this holy vessel; take heed unto me that I may be whole
of this malady. And therewith on his hands and on his knees he went so nigh
that he touched the holy vessel and kissed it, and anon he was whole; and
then he said: Lord God, I thank thee, for I am healed of this sickness. So
when the holy vessel had been there a great while it went unto the chapel
with the chandelier and the light, so that Launcelot wist not where it was
become; for he was overtaken with sin that he had no power to rise ageyne the
holy vessel; wherefore after that many men said of him shame, but he took
repentance after that. Then the sick knight dressed him up and kissed the
cross; anon his squire brought him his arms, and asked his lord how he did.
Certes, said he, I thank God right well, through the holy vessel I am healed.
But I have marvel of this sleeping knight that had no power to awake when this
holy vessel was brought hither. I dare right well say, said the squire, that
he dwelleth in some deadly sin whereof he was never confessed. By my faith,
said the knight, whatsomever he be he is unhappy, for as I deem he is of the
fellowship of the Round Table, the which is entered into the quest of the
Sangreal. Sir, said the squire, here I have brought you all your arms save
your helm and your sword, and therefore by mine assent now may ye take this
knight's helm and his sword: and so he did. And when he was clene armed he
took Sir Launcelot's horse, for he was better than his; and so departed they
from the Cross.
Chapter XIX
How A Voice Spake To Sir Launcelot, And How He Found His Horse And His Helm
Borne Away, And After Went Afoot
Then anon Sir Launcelot waked, and set him up, and bethought him what he
had seen there, and whether it were dreams or not. Right so heard he a voice
that said: Sir Launcelot, more harder than is the stone, and more bitter than
is the wood, and more naked and barer than is the leaf of the fig tree;
therefore go thou from hence, and withdraw thee from this holy place. And
when Sir Launcelot heard this he was passing heavy and wist not what to do,
and so departed sore weeping, and cursed the time that he was born. For then
he deemed never to have had worship more. For those words went to his heart,
till that he knew wherefore he was called so. Then Sir Launcelot went to the
cross and found his helm, his sword, and his horse taken away. And then he
called himself a very wretch, and most unhappy of all knights; and there he
said: My sin and my wickedness have brought me unto great dishonour. For when
I sought worldly adventures for worldly desires, I ever achieved them and had
the better in every place, and never was I discomfit in no quarrel, were it
right or wrong. And now I take upon me the adventures of holy things, and now
I see and understand that mine old sin hindereth me and shameth me, so that
I had no power to stir nor speak when the holy blood appeared afore me. So
thus he sorrowed till it was day, and heard the fowls sing: then somewhat he
was comforted. But when Sir Launcelot missed his horse and his harness then he
wist well God was displeased with him. Then he departed from the cross on
foot into a forest; and so by prime he came to an high hill, and found an
hermitage and a hermit therein which was going unto mass. And then Launcelot
kneeled down and cried on Our Lord mercy for his wicked works. So when mass
was done Launcelot called him, and prayed him for charity for to hear his
life. With a good will, said the good man. Sir, said he, be ye of King
Arthur's court and of the fellowship of the Round Table? Yea forsooth, and my
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake that hath been right well said of, and now my
good fortune is changed, for I am the most wretch of the world. The hermit
beheld him and had marvel how he was so abashed. Sir, said the hermit, ye
ought to thank God more than any knight living, for He hath caused you to
have more wordly worship than any knight that now liveth. And for your
presumption to take upon you in deadly sin for to be in His presence, where
His flesh and His blood was, that caused you ye might not see it with worldly
eyes; for He will not appear where such sinners be, but if it be unto their
great hurt and unto their great shame; and there is no knight living now that
ought to give God so great thank as ye, for He hath given you beauty,
seemliness, and great strength above all other knights; and therefore ye are
the more beholding unto God than any other man, to love Him and dread Him, for
your strength and manhood will little avail you an God be against you.
Chapter XX
How Sir Launcelot Was Shriven, And What Sorrow He Made, And Of The Good
Ensamples Which Were Shewed Him
Then Sir Launcelot wept with heavy cheer, and said: Now I know well ye
say me sooth. Sir, said the good man, hide none old sin from me. Truly, said
Sir Launcelot, that were me full loth to discover. For this fourteen year I
never discovered one thing that I have used, and that may I now wyte my shame
and my misadventure. And then he told there that good man all his life. And
how he had loved a queen unmeasurably and out of measure long. And all my
great deeds of arms that I have done, I did for the most part for the queen's
sake, and for her sake would I do battle were it right or wrong; and never did
I battle all only for God's sake, but for to win worship and to cause me to be
the better beloved, and little or nought I thanked God of it. Then Sir
Launcelot said: I pray you counsel me. I will counsel you, said the hermit,
if ye will ensure me that ye will never come in that queen's fellowship as
much as ye may forbear. And then Sir Launcelot promised him he nold, by the
faith of his body. Look that your heart and your mouth accord, said the good
man, and I shall ensure you ye shall have more worship then ever ye had.
Holy father, said Sir Launcelot, I marvel of the voice that said to me
marvellous words, as ye have heard toforehand. Have ye no marvel, said the
good man, thereof, for it seemeth well God loveth you; for men may understand
a stone is hard of kind, and namely one more than another; and that is to
understand by thee, Sir Launcelot, for thou wilt not leave thy sin for no
goodness that God hath sent thee; therefore thou art more than any stone, and
never wouldst thou be made neysshe nor by water nor by fire, and that is the
hete of the Holy Ghost may not enter in thee. Now take heed, in all the world
men shall not find one knight to whom Our Lord hath given so much of grace as
He hath given you, for He hath given you fairness with seemliness, He hath
given thee wit, discretion to know good from evil. He hath given thee prowess
and hardiness, and given thee to work so largely that thou hast had at all
days the better wheresomever thou came; and now Our Lord will suffer thee no
longer, but that thou shalt know Him whether thou wilt or nylt. And why the
voice called thee bitterer than wood, for where overmuch sin dwelleth, there
may be but little sweetness, wherefore thou art likened to an old rotten tree.
Now have I shewed thee why thou art harder than the stone and bitterer than
the tree. Now shall I shew thee why thou art more naked and barer than the fig
tree. It befel that Our Lord on Palm Sunday preached in Jerusalem, and there
He found in the people that all hardness was harboured in them, and there He
found in all the town not one that would harbour him. And then He went without
the town, and found in the middes of the way a fig tree, the which was right
fair and well garnished of leaves, but fruit had it none. Then Our Lord cursed
the tree that bare no fruit; that betokeneth the fig tree unto Jerusalem, that
had leaves and no fruit. So thou, Sir Launcelot, when the Holy Grail was
brought afore thee, He found in thee no fruit, nor good thought nor good will,
and defouled with lechery. Certes, said Sir Launcelot, all that you have said
is true, and from henceforward I cast me, by the grace of God, never to be so
wicked as I have been, but as to follow knighthood and to do feats of arms.
Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot such penance as he might do and to
pursue knighthood, and so assoiled him, and prayed Sir Launcelot to abide with
him all that day. I will well, said Sir Launcelot, for I have neither helm,
nor horse, nor sword. As for that, said the good man, I shall help you or
tomorn at even of an horse, and all that longed unto you. And then Sir
Launcelot repented him greatly.
Here leaveth off the history of Syr Launcelot.
And here followeth of Sir Percivale
de Galis which is the fourteenth book.