So when Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of Maidens he rode
till he came to a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Launcelot and
Sir Percivale, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised. Right
so Sir Launcelot, his father, dressed his spear and brake it upon Sir
Galahad, and Galahad smote him so again that he smote down horse and
man. And then he drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale,
and smote him so on the helm, that it rove to the coif of steel; and
had not the sword swerved Sir Percivale had been slain, and with the
stroke he fell out of his saddle. This jousts was done to-fore the
hermitage where a recluse dwelled. And when she saw Sir Galahad ride,
she said: God be with thee, best knight of the world. Ah certes, said
she, all aloud that Launcelot and Percivale might hear it: An yonder
two knights had known thee as well as I do they would not have
encountered with thee. Then Sir Galahad heard her say so he was adread
to be known: therewith he smote his horse with his spurs and rode a
great pace froward them. Then perceived they both that he was Galahad;
and up they gat on their horses, and rode fast after him, but in a
while he was out of their sight. And then they turned again with heavy
cheer. Let us spere some tidings, said Percivale, at yonder recluse. Do
as ye list, said Sir Launcelot.
When Sir Percivale came to the recluse she knew him well enough, and
Sir Launcelot both. But Sir Launcelot rode overthwart and endlong in a
wild forest, and held no path but as wild adventure led him. And at the
last he came to a stony cross which departed two ways in waste land;
and by the cross was a stone that was of marble, but it was so dark
that Sir Launcelot might not wit what it was. Then Sir Launcelot looked
by him, and saw an old chapel, and there he weened to have found
people; and Sir Launcelot tied his horse till a tree, and there he did
off his shield and hung it upon a tree, and then went to the chapel
door, and found it waste and broken. And within he found a fair altar,
full richly arrayed with cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair
clean candlestick, which bare six great candles, and the candlestick
was of silver. And when Sir Launcelot saw this light he had great will
for to enter into the chapel, but he could find no place where he might
enter; then was he passing heavy and dismayed. Then he returned and
came to his horse and did off his saddle and bridle, and let him
pasture, and unlaced his helm, and ungirt his sword, and laid him down
to sleep upon his shield to-fore the cross.
CHAPTER XVIII. How Sir Launcelot, half sleeping and half waking, saw a
sick man borne in a litter, and how he was healed with the Sangreal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account