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 said the king to the damsel Linet, "Why cometh not the Lady Lyones
to visit her knight, Sir Gareth, who hath had such travail for her
love?" "She knoweth not, my lord, that he is here," replied the damsel,
"for truly she desireth greatly to see him." "Go ye and bring her
hither," said the king. So the damsel rode to tell her sister where Sir
Gareth was, and when she heard it she rejoiced full heartily and came
with all the speed she could. And when Sir Gareth saw her, there was
great joy and comfort between them.
Then the king asked Sir Gareth whether he would have that lady for his
wife? "My lord," replied Sir Gareth, "know well that I love her above
all ladies living." "Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
"Most noble king," she answered, "my lord, Sir Gareth, is my first love
and shall be my last, and if I may not have him for my husband I will
have none." Then said the king to them, "Be well assured that for my
crown I would not be the cause of parting your two hearts."
Then was high preparation made for the marriage, for the king desired it
should be at the Michaelmas next following, at Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea.
So Sir Gareth sent out messages to all the knights whom he had overcome
in battle that they should be there upon his marriage-day.
Therefore, at the next Michaelmas, came a goodly company to
Kinkenadon-by-the-Sea. And there did the Archbishop of Canterbury marry
Sir Gareth and the Lady Lyones with all solemnity. And all the knights
whom Sir Gareth had overcome were at the feast; and every manner of
revels and games was held with music and minstrelsy. And there was a
great jousting for three days. But because of his bride the king would
not suffer Sir Gareth to joust. Then did King Arthur give great lands
and fair, with store of gold, to Sir Gareth and his wife, that so they
might live royally together to their lives' end.
XII
THE ADVENTURES OF SIR TRISTRAM
Again King Arthur held high festival at Caerleon, at Pentecost, and
gathered round him all the fellowship of the Round Table, and so,
according to his custom, sat and waited till some adventure should
arise, or some knight return to court whose deeds and perils might be
told.
Anon he saw Sir Lancelot and a crowd of knights coming through the doors
and leading in their midst the mighty knight, Sir Tristram. As soon as
King Arthur saw him, he rose up and went through half the hall, and held
out both his hands and cried, "Right welcome to thee, good Sir Tristram,
as welcome art thou as any knight that ever came before into this court.
A long time have I wished for thee amongst my fellowship." Then all the
knights and barons rose up with one accord and came around, and cried
out, "Welcome." Queen Guinevere came also, and many ladies with her, and
all with one voice said the same.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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