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
Without more words they parted. Thiébault carried his daughter back on
the neck of his palfrey. As they rode up the hill be asked her what the
quarrel had been about, and she told him the story from beginning to
end, saying, "Sir, I was vexed with my sister, who declared that
Meliance of Lis was the best of all the knights; and I, who had seen
this knight in the meadow, could not help saying that I had seen a
fairer, whereupon my sister called me a silly girl and beat me. Fie on
me, if I take it from her! I would cut off both my braids close to my
head, which would be a great loss, if to-morrow in the tourney this
knight would conquer Meliance of Lis, and put an end to the fuss of
madam, my sister! She talked so much that she tired all the ladies; but
a little rain will hush a great wind."
"Fair child," said her father, "I command and allow you, in courtesy, to
send him some love-token, a sleeve or a wimple."
The child, who was simple, answered, "With pleasure since you bid me.
But my sleeves are so small, I should not like to send them. Most likely
he would not care for them."
"Daughter, say no more," said Thiébault. "I will think about it. I am
very glad." So saying, he took her in his arms, and had great joy of
embracing and kissing her, until he came in front of his palace. But
when his elder daughter saw him approach, with the child before him, she
was vexed, and exclaimed, "Sir, whence cometh my sister, the Maid with
the Narrow Sleeves? She is full of her tricks; she hath been quick about
it; where did you find her?"
"And you," he answered, "what is it to you? Hush, for she is better than
you are. You pulled her hair and beat her, which grieveth me. You acted
rudely; you were discourteous."
When she heard her father's rebuke, the maid was greatly abashed.
Thiébault had brought from his chests a piece of red samite, and he bade
his people cut out and make a sleeve, wide and long. Then he called his
daughter and said, "Child, to-morrow rise betimes and visit the knight
before he leaveth his hostel. For love's sake you will give him this
new sleeve, which he will wear in the tourney when he goeth thither."
The girl answered that so soon as ever she saw the clear dawn she would
dress herself and go. With that her father went his way, while she, in
great glee, charged her companions that they should not let her
oversleep but should wake her when day broke, if they would have her
love them. They did as she wished, and when it dawned caused her to wake
and dress. All alone she went to the house where Sir Gawain lodged, but,
early though it was, the knights had risen and gone to the monastery to
hear mass sung. She waited until they had offered long orisons and
listened to the service, as much as was right. When they returned the
child rose to greet Sir Gawain, and cried, "Sir, on this day may God
save and honor you! For love of me, wear the sleeve which I carry in my
hand."
"With pleasure," he answered; "friend, your mercy!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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