King Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
General
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances
So they rode onward to the castle walls, and found them double-moated,
and heard the sea waves dashing on one side the walls. Then said the
damsel, "See you that ivory horn hanging upon the sycamore-tree? The
Knight of the Redlands hath hung it there, that any knight may blow
thereon, and then will he himself come out and fight with him. But I
pray thee sound it not till high noontide, for now it is but daybreak,
and till noon his strength increases to the might of seven men." "Let
that be as it may, fair damsel," answered he, "for were he stronger
knight than ever lived, I would not fail him. Either will I defeat him
at his mightiest, or die knightly in the field." With that he spurred
his horse unto the sycamore, and blew the ivory horn so eagerly, that
all the castle rang its echoes. Instantly, all the knights who were in
the pavilions ran forth, and those within the castle looked out from the
windows, or above the walls. And the Knight of the Redlands, arming
himself quickly in blood-red armor, with spear, and shield, and horse's
trappings of like color, rode forth into a little valley by the castle
walls, so that all in the castle, and at the siege, might see the
battle.
"Be of good cheer," said the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains, "for thy
deadly enemy now cometh; and at yonder window is my lady and sister,
Dame Lyones." "In good sooth," said Sir Beaumains, "she is the fairest
lady I have ever seen, and I would wish no better quarrel than to fight
for her." With that, he looked up to the window, and saw the Lady
Lyones, who waved her handkerchief to her sister and to him to cheer
them. Then called the Knight of the Redlands to Sir Beaumains, "Leave
now thy gazing, Sir knight, and turn to me, for I warn thee that lady is
mine." "She loveth none of thy fellowship," he answered; "but know this,
that I love her, and will rescue her from thee, or die." "Say ye so!"
said the Red Knight. "Take ye no warning from those knights that hang on
yonder trees?" "For shame that thou so boastest!" said Sir Beaumains.
"Be sure that sight hath raised a hatred for thee that will not lightly
be put out, and given me not fear, but rage." "Sir knight, defend
thyself," said the Knight of the Redlands, "for we will talk no longer."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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