King Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
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King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances
Then Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival departed as they had been
told; and when they had ridden three days they came to the sea-shore,
and found the ship awaiting them. Therein they entered, and saw in the
midst the silver table and the vessel of the Sangreal, covered with red
samite. Then were they passing glad, and made great reverence thereto.
And Sir Galahad prayed that now he might leave the world and pass to
God. And presently, the while he prayed, a voice said to him, "Galahad,
thy prayer is heard, and when thou asketh the death of the body thou
shalt have it, and find the life of thy soul."
But while they prayed and slept the ship sailed on, and when they woke
they saw the city of Sarras before them, and the other ship wherein was
Sir Percival's sister. Then the three knights took up the holy table and
the Sangreal and went into the city; and there, in a chapel, they buried
Sir Percival's sister right solemnly.
Now at the gate of the town they saw an old cripple sitting, whom Sir
Galahad called to help them bear their weight.
"Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I have gone a step
without these crutches."
"Care ye not," said Sir Galahad, "rise now and show goodwill."
So he assayed to move, and found his limbs as strong as any man's might
be, and running to the table helped to carry it.
Anon there rose a rumor in the city that a cripple had been healed by
certain marvelous strange knights.
But the king, named Estouranse, who was a heathen tyrant, when he heard
thereof took Sir Galahad and his fellows, and put them in prison in a
deep hole. Therein they abode a great while, but ever the Sangreal was
with them and fed them with marvelous sweet food, so that they fainted
not, but had all joy and comfort they could wish.
At the year's end the king fell sick and felt that he should die. Then
sent he for the three knights, and when they came before him prayed
their mercy for his trespasses against them. So they forgave him gladly,
and anon he died.
Then the chief men of the city took counsel together who should be king
in his stead, and as they talked, a voice cried in their midst, "Choose
ye the youngest of the three knights King Estouranse cast into prison
for your king." At that they sought Sir Galahad and made him king with
the assent of all the city, and else they would have slain him.
But within a twelve-month came to him, upon a certain day, as he prayed
before the Sangreal, a man in likeness of a bishop, with a great company
of angels round about him, who offered mass, and afterwards called to
Sir Galahad, "Come forth, thou servant of the Lord, for the time hath
come thou hast desired so long."
Then Sir Galahad lifted up his hands and prayed, "Now, blessed Lord!
would I no longer live if it might please Thee."
Anon the bishop gave him the sacrament, and when he had received it with
unspeakable gladness, he said, "Who art thou, father?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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