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
Then he alighted, and his dwarf ran to him. And when he was in the hall
came the Lady Lyones dressed royally like a princess. And Sir Gareth was
right glad of heart when he saw her. Then she told him how she had made
her brother take away his dwarf and bring him back to her. And then she
promised him her love, and faithfully to cleave to him and none other
all the days of her life. And so they plighted their troth to each
other. Then Sir Gringamors prayed him to sojourn at the castle, which
willing he did. "For," said he, "I have promised to quit the court for
twelve months, though sure I am that in the meanwhile I shall be sought
and found by my lord King Arthur and many others." So he sojourned long
at the castle.
Anon the knights, Sir Perseant, Sir Perimones, and Sir Pertolope, whom
Sir Gareth had overthrown, went to King Arthur's court with all the
knights who did them service, and told the king they had been conquered
by a knight of his named Beaumains. And as they yet were talking, it was
told the king there came another great lord with five hundred knights,
who, entering in, did homage, and declared himself to be the Knight of
the Redlands. "But my true name," said he, "is Ironside, and I am hither
sent by one Sir Beaumains, who conquered me, and charged me to yield
unto your grace." "Thou art welcome," said King Arthur, "for thou hast
been long a foe to me and mine, and truly I am much beholden to the
knight who sent thee. And now, Sir Ironside, if thou wilt amend thy life
and hold of me, I will entreat thee as a friend, and make thee Knight of
the Round Table; but thou mayst no more be a murderer of noble knights."
Then the Knight of the Redlands knelt to the king, and told him of his
promise to Sir Beaumains to use never more such shameful customs; and
how he had so done but at the prayer of a lady whom he loved. Then knelt
he to Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, and prayed their pardon for the
hatred he had borne them.
But the king and all the court marveled greatly who Sir Beaumains was.
"For," said the king, "he is a full noble knight." Then said Sir
Lancelot, "Truly he is come of honorable blood, else had I not given him
the order of knighthood; but he charged me that I should conceal his
secret."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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