Mary Frances Story Book — Sir Galahad, Continued
_The Knights of the Round Table Set Out in Quest of the Holy Grail_ The king and all his knights then left the jousting field, and rode to Camelot Church to evensong; and after that they went home to supper.
At supper, as each knight sat in his own place at the Round Table, there arose a great storm, and the cracking and crying of the thunder was so terrible that they thought the roof and walls of the castle were breaking apart.
In the midst of the blast a sunbeam entered the great window, seven times whiter than the light of day.
Then every knight seemed fairer than his comrades had ever seen him, and no one dared speak for a long while, but all looked at each other as if they had been dumb.
Then there entered on the sunbeam the Holy Grail, but it was covered with a white silken cloth, so that no one could see it, or who bore it.
Then the hall was filled with sweet odors, and every knight had such meat and drink as he liked best; and when the Holy Grail had been borne through the hall, it departed as suddenly as it came and the marvelous light with it, but no one knew where.
When they had breath to speak, the king gave thanks.
“Certainly,” said he, “we ought greatly to thank our Lord for what he has shown us to-day at this high feast of Pentecost.
” “Now,” said Sir Gawain, “we have been served to-day with the food we liked best, but are sorry that we did not see the Holy Grail uncovered.
Therefore, I will here make a vow to set forth on its quest to-morrow to be gone a year and a day, or longer if need be, and I shall not return till I have seen it more openly than to-day.
If I do not find it, I shall return again, if it be not contrary to the will of our Lord.
” When the knights of the Round Table heard this, the most part of them arose and made the same vow.
But King Arthur was greatly displeased, for he well knew that they might not break their vows.
“Alas,” said he, “your vows will nearly slay me; they will rob me of the bravest comrades and the truest knights ever seen together in any realm; and I foresee that we shall never meet in fellowship again, for many of you that I have loved as well as my life will die in this quest.
” With that the tears came into his eyes, and he said, “Sir Gawain, Sir Gawain, you have given me great sorrow, for I much doubt that my true fellowship shall ever meet here again.
” “Ah,” said Sir Launcelot, “comfort yourself; it will bring us greater honor than if we had died in any other quest, for of death we are sure.
” “Ah, Sir Launcelot,” said the king, “the great love I have had for you all the days of my life makes me say such sorrowful words; for Christian king never had so many worthy men at his table as I have had at the Round Table to-day.
” When the queen and her gentlewomen heard these things, they were filled with sorrow, for their knights held them in great honor and affection, but the queen was the most sorely grieved of all.
“I marvel,” said she, “that the king will permit them to leave him.
” Thus all the court was troubled that night, and many of the ladies desired to accompany their husbands; but an old knight arose and said this could not be, for in so high and dangerous a service they must go forth alone.
After a while they all went to rest, and Sir Galahad was put to bed in the king’s own chamber.
As soon as it was daylight the king arose, for he had no sleep that night for sorrow.
He went at once to Sir Gawain and Sir Launcelot and said again, “Ah!
Sir Gawain!
Sir Gawain!
You have betrayed me, for my court will never be restored; but you will never be as sorry for me as I am for you.
” With that the tears began to run down his face, and he said, “Ah!
knight, Sir Launcelot!
I ask that you counsel me, for I wish this quest to be undone, and it can be.
” “Sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “you saw yesterday that many worthy knights were sworn to this quest, and they cannot break their vows.
” “That I know well,” said the king, “but my grief at their going is so great that no joy will ever heal it.
” After the king had gone, the two knights ordered their squires to bring their arms, and when they were armed they joined their comrades and all went to the church to hear their service.
After the service was over the king took count of those who had taken the vow to search for the Holy Grail and found that there were a hundred and fifty, all knights of the Round Table.
When they had bidden the queen and their ladies farewell, they put on their helmets and were ready to set forth, and there was weeping and great sorrow.
Then the queen departed to her chamber to hide her grief.
So the knights mounted their horses and rode through the streets of Camelot, and there was much weeping of both rich and poor; and the king turned away, for he could not speak for weeping.
After leaving the town, the men at arms rode all day, and toward evening arrived at a castle called Vagon.
The lord of the castle was a good old man and he opened his gates and made them welcome and gave them good cheer, and there they passed the night.
In the morning they all agreed that they should separate; so, bidding each other farewell, they departed, and each knight took the way that pleased him best.
_Sir Galahad Finds a White Shield With a Red Cross_ Now Sir Galahad rode four days without adventure, for as yet he had no shield.
On the fourth day, toward evening, he arrived at a white abbey where he was received with great honor.
There he found two knights of the Round Table, Sir Badgemagus and Sir Uwaine, who were delighted to see him, and they went to supper together.
“Sirs,” said Sir Galahad, “what adventure brought you here?
” “Sir,” they answered, “we are told there is a shield in this place, and whoever wears it about his neck will be wounded to death within three days, or else be maimed forever.
” “Ah!
Sir,” said Sir Badgemagus, “I shall wear it to-morrow and attempt this strange adventure.
” “By my faith!
” cried Sir Galahad.
“Sir,” said Sir Badgemagus, “if I do not achieve the adventure of the shield, you shall try it, for I am sure you shall not fail.
” “Sir,” said Sir Galahad, “I agree right well to that, for I have no shield.
” The next day when Sir Badgemagus inquired for the shield a monk led him behind the altar, where the shield hung as white as snow, but in the center was a red cross.
“Sir,” said the monk, “no knight ought to hang this shield about his neck, unless he be the worthiest in the world, therefore I counsel you to be well-advised.
” “Well,” said Sir Badgemagus, “I know I am not the worthiest knight in the world, yet I shall attempt to wear it.
” He then took the shield and said to Sir Galahad, “If it please you, I pray you remain here, till you know how I succeed.
” “I shall await you here,” said he.
After riding two miles, Sir Badgemagus and his squire came to a hermit’s house, from which a goodly knight rode forth to meet him.
This knight was in white armor, horse and all, and he came as fast as his horse might run, with his spear in rest.
Sir Badgemagus ran against him with such violence that he broke his spear upon the white knight’s shield; but the other struck him so hard that he broke his armor, pierced him through the shoulder and threw him from his horse.
With that the white knight alighted and took the white shield from him, saying, “Knight, thou hast done a foolish act, for this shield ought not be borne save by one that shall have no equal.
” Then he said to the wounded knight’s squire, “Bear this shield to the good knight, Sir Galahad, and greet him well for me.
” “Sir,” said the squire, “what is your name?
” “Take no heed of my name,” said the white knight; “it is not for you to know, nor any earthly man.
” “Now, fair sir,” said the squire, “tell me why this shield cannot be borne without injury to the bearer.
” “Now, since you ask me,” said he, “this shield belongs to no man but Sir Galahad.
” Then he set the wounded man on his horse and brought him to the hermit’s house and laid him gently in a bed, where his wound was dressed.
There he lay a long time, and hardly escaped with his life.
“Sir Galahad,” said the squire on his return, “the knight who wounded Sir Badgemagus sends you greeting, and bids you bear this shield, for through it great adventures shall befall.
” “Now blessed be God and fortune,” said Sir Galahad.
He then put on his armor, mounted his horse, hung the shield about his neck and commended them to God.
Sir Uwaine said that if it pleased him he would accompany him.
“Sir,” said Sir Galahad, “that cannot be, for I must ride alone.
” After awhile he came to the hermit’s house, where he met the white knight and saluted him courteously.
“Sir,” said he, “this shield must have seen many marvelous things.
” [Illustration: A MONK LED HIM BEHIND THE ALTAR WHERE THE SHIELD HUNG WHITE AS SNOW, BUT IN THE CENTER WAS A RED CROSS]
“Sir,” said the knight, “the legend says that, thirty years after the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea, the gentle knight who took down our Lord from the cross, departed from Jerusalem and his people with him, and came to a city called Sarras.
Now, Evelake, the king of Sarras, had a war against the Saracens.
Joseph told the king that he would be defeated and slain unless he gave up his belief of the old law and believed in the new.
“He then showed him the right belief, to which he agreed with all his heart, and this white shield was made for Evelake in the name of Him who died on the cross.
After he had overcome his enemies with the help of this shield, he was baptized and, for the most part, all the people of the city.
“Soon after this Joseph departed from Sarras and Evelake with him;
and, so the tale goes, Joseph carried the holy vessel and Evelake the shield, till, by good fortune, they came into the land of Britain.
“In due time Joseph lay on his death-bed and Evelake was full of sorrow and said, ‘For thy love I left my country; now, since thou art going out of the world, leave me some token of remembrance.
’ “‘I will do that gladly,’ said Joseph; ‘bring me the shield.
’ “Now Joseph made a cross on this shield with his own blood, and said, ‘Now you may know that I love you, for when you see this cross you shall think of me, for it shall always be as clear as it is now; and no man shall bear this shield without injury, except the good knight, Sir Galahad, who shall do many marvelous things.
’ “Now know, Sir Galahad, that this is the day set for you to have this shield.
” When he had thus spoken the white knight vanished from his sight.
_Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival Attack Sir Galahad_ Thus equipped with a shield, Sir Galahad set out on his quest; and, after many adventures, found himself in a vast forest.
There he saw Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival riding along, but neither knew him, for he had newly disguised himself.
Sir Launcelot, his father, at once put his spear in rest and rode at his son, Sir Galahad, who struck so hard in his own defense that he threw both horse and man.
Then he drew his sword to defend himself against Sir Percival who now attacked him.
He dealt him such a blow that it broke his cap of steel; and, if the sword had not swerved, Sir Percival might have been slain.
As it was, he fell out of his saddle.
These encounters took place near the hermitage of a lady who was a recluse.
When she saw Sir Galahad ride she said, “God be with you, the best knight of the world.
” Then she cried aloud, so that Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival might hear, “Ah!
certainly, if those two knights had known thee as well as I do, they would not have dared the encounter.
” When Sir Galahad heard her say this, he was much afraid of being known;
so he put spurs to his horse and rode away at a great pace.
Then both knights knew that it was Sir Galahad, and quickly mounted their horses and rode after him, but he was soon out of their sight, and they turned back with heavy hearts.
“Let us make inquiry of yonder recluse,” said Sir Percival.
“Do as you please,” said Sir Launcelot; and then rode headlong, keeping no path, but as wild adventure led him, and was soon lost in the depths of the forest.
But Sir Percival went to the door of the recluse, who asked what he wished.
“Madam,” he replied, “I am a knight of King Arthur’s court, Sir Percival de Galis.
Do you know the knight with the white shield?
” When the recluse heard his name she was exceeding glad, for she greatly loved him, as she had a right to do, for she was an aunt of his whom he had never seen.
“Sir,” said she, “why would you know?
” “Truly, madam,” said he, “that I may fight with him, for I am ashamed of my defeat.
” “Ah!
Sir Percival,” said she, “I see that you have a great will to be slain as your father was through recklessness.
” “Madam,” said he, “it seems by your words that you know me.
” “Yes,” said she, “I ought to know you, for I am your aunt.
” Then Sir Percival wept, when he knew who she was.
“Ah!
fair nephew,” said she, “when have you heard from your mother?
” “Truly,” said he, “not in a great while, but I often dream of her in my sleep.
” “Fair nephew,” said she, “your mother is dead; for after you set out on this quest, she fell into such sorrow that she soon died.
” “Now may God have mercy on her soul,” said he sadly, “for I was sorely afraid of it; but we must all change our life.
Now, tell me, fair aunt, was that knight he who bore the red arms at Pentecost?
” “That is he,” said his aunt; “he is without equal, for he works by miracle, and cannot be overcome by the hands of any earthly man.
” “Now, madam,” said he, “since I know this I will never have to do with Sir Galahad except by way of kindness.
Tell me how I may find him, for I would much love his company.
” “Fair nephew,” said she, “you must ride to the castle of Goothe, where his first cousin lives, and there you may lodge for the night.
If you get no word of him there, ride straight to the castle of Carbonek where the crippled king lives and there you will hear tidings.
” Sir Percival left his aunt sorrowing, and rode till evensong when he heard a clock strike.
Then he came upon a castle closed in with high walls and deep ditches, and knocked at the gate, but could get no word of Sir Galahad.
There he passed the night, and in the morning departed and rode till the hour of noon.
In a valley he overtook a company of about twenty men at arms who bore a dead knight upon a hearse.
When they saw Sir Percival they asked him who he was.
“A knight of King Arthur’s court,” he answered.
Then they cried all at once, “Kill him!
” Straightway Sir Percival struck the first to the ground and his horse upon him.
Then seven of them at once ran at him and threw him and slew his horse.
Now, had not the good knight, Sir Galahad, happened by adventure in those parts, they would have killed or captured Sir Percival instantly.
But when he saw so many knights attacking one man, he cried, “Spare that knight’s life!
” With that he charged the twenty men at arms as fast as his horse might drive with spear in rest, and hurled the foremost horse and man to the ground.
When his spear was broken he seized his sword and struck out right and left, so that it was a marvel to see.
At every blow he cut one down or wounded him, so that the rest became frightened and fled into a thick forest and Sir Galahad followed hard after them.
When Sir Percival saw him chase them so, he knew it was Sir Galahad and wept with rage, for his horse was dead.
He ran after him afoot, crying for him to stop while he thanked him.
But Sir Galahad rode fast after the knights he was chasing and was soon out of sight.
And as fast as he could Sir Percival went after him on foot, crying, but could not overtake him.
_The Adventure of the Gentlewoman, the Mysterious Ship, and the Sword of the Strange Belt_ Now, says the tale, when Sir Galahad had rescued Sir Percival, he went into a vast forest, where he rode many journeys and found many adventures.
One day, after many weary hours on horseback, as night was falling, he arrived at a lonely hermitage and knocked.
The good man was very glad to welcome a knight-errant and to hear his tales, and so they talked till late.
Soon after they had gone to rest, there was a knocking at the door.
When the hermit asked who was there, a voice said, “I am a gentlewoman who would speak with the knight that is with you.
” Then the good man awoke Sir Galahad and bade him arise and speak with the gentlewoman, who, said he, “seems to have great need of you.
” So Sir Galahad arose and asked her wish.
“Sir Galahad,” said she, “I wish you to arm yourself, mount your horse and follow me, and I will show you within three days the highest adventure that any knight ever saw.
” Sir Galahad took his arms at once, mounted his horse, commended himself to God, and bade the gentlewoman go and he would follow where she wished.
The damsel rode as fast as her horse would gallop that night and all the next day till they came within reach of the sea.
Toward night they halted at a castle that was enclosed with running water and high walls.
Here Sir Galahad had great welcome, for the lady of the castle was the damsel’s lady.
When he was unarmed the damsel said to the lady, “Madam, shall we lodge here to-night?
” “No,” said she, “but only till he has dined and slept a little.
” So he ate and slept till the maid called him, and then armed himself by torchlight.
When the maid and he were both mounted they left the castle and rode till they reached the seaside.
There they found in the darkness a ship awaiting them, and two voices cried from on shipboard, “Welcome, Sir Galahad; we have long waited for you.
” When he heard these words, he asked them who they were.
“Sir,” said the damsel, “Leave your horse here and I shall leave mine.
” When they entered the ship he was welcomed with great joy by those whose voices he had heard, who were none other than Sir Bors and Sir Percival, and he was exceeding glad of their company.
As soon as they were on board the wind arose and drove them through the sea.
After a while morning dawned and Sir Galahad took off his helmet and his sword and asked his comrades where the ship was from.
“Truly,” said they, “you know as well as we, but of God’s grace.
” [Illustration: THE DAMSEL RODE AS FAST AS HER HORSE WOULD GALLOP THAT NIGHT AND ALL THE NEXT DAY TILL THEY CAME IN SIGHT OF THE SEA]
Then they told of their adventures since they last parted and of their great temptations.
“Truly,” said Sir Galahad, “you are much indebted to God for escaping great dangers; and had it not been for this gentlewoman, I should not have come here; for I never thought to find you in this strange country.
” “Ah, Sir Galahad,” said Sir Bors, “if your father, Sir Launcelot, were here, it seems to me we should lack nothing.
” “That may not be,” said he, “except it please our Lord.
” Now, neither Sir Percival nor Sir Bors knew the gentlewoman, for she was veiled.
By this time the ship was far distant from the land of Britain, and, by chance, had arrived between two great rocks which were exceeding dangerous.
Neither could they land, for there was a great whirlpool of the sea.
After buffeting about, they escaped the danger and came into a calmer sea, and there saw another ship at anchor to which they might go in safety.
“Let us go there,” said the gentlewoman, “and we shall see adventures, if our Lord wills.
” When they came alongside, they found a fine ship, but no one appeared to be on board.
On the stern they read these strange and dreadful words: “Whoever enters this ship must be steadfast in his belief, for I am faith; therefore, beware, for if thou fail, I shall not help thee.
” Then the gentlewoman asked, “Do you know who I am?
” “Truly,” said Sir Percival, “I do not know you.
” “Know well,” said she, “I am your sister, the daughter of King Pellinore; therefore you are the man in the world I most like.
If you are not in perfect belief and enter the ship, you will perish, for it will suffer no sin in it.
” Now, when Sir Percival knew she was his sister, he was very glad and said, “Fair sister, I shall enter therein, for if I be worthless, or an untrue knight, there shall I perish.
” Without further parley Sir Galahad stepped on board the strange ship, followed by the gentlewoman, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival.
The fittings were so rich and perfect that they wondered, for they had never seen the like.
In the cabin in the midst of the ship there stood a beautiful bed with a coverlet of fine silk, and on it at the foot lay a great sword of marvelous beauty, which was drawn out of its scabbard half a foot and more, as if one had tried to draw it and could not.
“Here is a mystery,” cried Sir Percival, “I shall attempt to handle the sword.
” So he tried to grasp it; but, try as he might, he could not.
“Now, by my faith,” said he, “I have failed.
” Sir Bors also set his hand to the sword and failed.
Sir Galahad looked at it more closely, and saw on it letters as red as blood which said: “Let him who would draw me from my scabbard see that he be bolder than other men, for whoso draweth me shall not escape injury to his body, or wounding unto death.
” “By my faith,” said Sir Galahad, “I would like to draw this sword out of its scabbard, but the penalty is so great that I shall not try it.
” “Sir,” said the gentlewoman, “know that all men are warned against drawing this sword, save you.
” As they looked closer they saw that the sword-belt was made of hempen cord of such poor account that it did not seem strong enough to bear so heavy a weight.
The scabbard was of serpent’s skin and on it were letters of gold and silver which said: “Whoever bears me as I ought to be borne should be bolder than other men; for the body of him by whose side I ought to hang shall not suffer shame while he wears this belt, and no one shall dare change this belt except a maid who is a king’s daughter.
” “Sir,” said the gentlewoman to Sir Galahad, “there was a king called Pelleas, the maimed king, who, while he was able to ride, strongly supported Christendom and the holy church.
Upon a day he hunted in a wood, which bordered the sea, and at last he lost his hounds and his knights, and found this ship.
When he saw the letters he entered, for he was right perfect in his life; here he found this sword and drew it out as far as you now see.
With that, there entered a spear and wounded him in both his thighs.
His wounds have never healed and never shall until we come to him.
Thus,” said she, “was not Pelleas, your grandfather, maimed for his boldness?
” “By my faith!
” said Sir Galahad.
Then, as they stood looking at the bed in wonder, Sir Percival lifted the coverlet and found a writing which told of the ship, by whom it was made and how it came there, but that does not belong to this tale.
“Now,” said Sir Galahad, “where shall we find the maid who shall make a belt strong enough to carry this sword?
” “Fair sir,” said Sir Percival’s sister, “do not fear, for I shall show you a belt fit for such a sword.
” She then opened a box and took out a belt, wrought with golden threads, and set with precious stones, and a rich buckle of gold.
“Lo!
sirs,” said she, “here is a belt that ought to bear this sword;
for the greatest part of it is woven of my own hair, which I loved full well when I was a woman of the world; but as soon as I knew this adventure was appointed to me, I clipped off my hair and made this belt.
” “We are truly grateful,” said Sir Bors, “for without your help, we should have endured much suffering.
” The gentlewoman then put the new belt on the sword.
“Now,” said the three knights, “what is the name of the sword and what shall we call it?
” “Truly,” said she, “the Sword of the Strange Belt.
” They then said to Sir Galahad, “We pray you to gird yourself with the sword, which hath been so long desired in the land of Britain.
” “Now let me begin,” said Sir Galahad, “to grip this sword to give you courage; but know that it belongs to me no more than it does to you.
” He then gripped it with his fingers and drew it forth, and Sir Percival’s sister girded him with the sword.
“Now I care not if I die,” said she, “for I have made thee now the worthiest knight in the world.
”
