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 he departed and rode past a mountain where was a goodly knight
waiting, who said to him, "Abide, Sir knight, and joust with me!" "How
are ye named?" said Sir Gareth. "I am the Duke de la Rowse," answered
he. "In good sooth," then said Sir Gareth, "not long ago I lodged within
your castle, and there promised I would yield to you whenever we might
meet." "Art thou that proud knight," said the duke, "who was ready to
fight with me? Guard thyself therefore and make ready." So they ran
together, and Sir Gareth smote the duke from his horse. Then they
alighted and drew their swords, and fought full sorely for the space of
an hour; and at the last Sir Gareth smote the duke to the earth and
would have slain him, but he yielded. "Then must ye go," said Sir
Gareth, "to my lord King Arthur at the next Feast of Pentecost and say
that I, Sir Gareth, sent ye." "As ye will be it," said the duke; and
gave him up his shield for pledge.
And as Sir Gareth rode alone he saw an armed knight coming towards him.
And putting the duke's shield before him he rode fast to tilt with him;
and so they ran together as it had been thunder, and brake their spears
upon each other. Then fought they fiercely with their swords, and lashed
together with such mighty strokes that blood ran to the ground on every
side. And after they had fought together for two hours and more, it
chanced the damsel Linet passed that way; and when she saw them, she
cried out, "Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, leave your fighting, for ye are
brethren!" At that they threw away their shields and swords, and took
each other in their arms, and wept a great while ere they could speak.
And each gave to the other the honor of the battle, and there was many a
kind word between them. Then said Sir Gawain, "O my brother, for your
sake have I had great sorrow and labor! But truly I would honor you
though ye were not my brother, for ye have done great worship to King
Arthur and his court, and sent more knights to him than any of the Table
Round, except Sir Lancelot."
Then the damsel Linet staunched their wounds, and their horses being
weary she rode her palfrey to King Arthur and told him of this strange
adventure. When she had told her tidings, the king himself mounted his
horse and bade all come with him to meet them. So a great company of
lords and ladies went forth to meet the brothers. And when King Arthur
saw them he would have spoken hearty words, but for gladness he could
not. And both Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth fell down at their uncle's knees
and did him homage, and there was passing great joy and gladness among
them all.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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