Stories of King Arthur and His Knights: Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"Malory, Thomas, Sir
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Stories of King Arthur and His Knights: Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthur, King -- Juvenile literature; Arthurian romances -- Adaptations; Knights and knighthood -- Juvenile literature
"Nor I," said the King; "but thanked be God, he is proved an honourable
knight as any of his years now living, and I shall never be glad till I
may find him. Sister, me seemeth ye might have done me to know of his
coming, and then, had I not done well to him, ye might have blamed me.
For when he came to this court, he came leaning upon two men's
shoulders, as though he might not walk. And then he asked of me three
gifts,--one the same day, that was that I would give him meat for that
twelvemonth. The other two gifts he asked that day a twelvemonth, and
those were that he might have the adventure of the damsel Linet, and
that Sir Launcelot should make him knight when he desired him. I
granted him all his desire, and many in this court marvelled that he
desired his sustenance for a twelvemonth, and thereby deemed many of us
that he was not come of a noble house."
"Sir," said the Queen of Orkney unto King Arthur, her brother, "I sent
him unto you right well armed and horsed, and gold and silver plenty to
spend."
"It may be," said the King, "but thereof saw we none, save that same
day as he departed from us, knights told me that there came a dwarf
hither suddenly, and brought him armour and a good horse, full well and
richly beseen, and thereat we had all marvel from whence that riches
came. Then we deemed all that he was come of men of honour."
"Brother," said the queen, "all that ye say I believe, for ever since
he was grown he was marvellously witted, and ever he was faithful and
true to his promise. But I marvel that Sir Kay did mock him and scorn
him, and give him the name Fair-hands. Yet Sir Kay named him more
justly than he knew, for I dare say, if he be alive, he is as
fair-handed a man and as well disposed as any living."
"Sister," said Arthur, "by the grace of God he shall be found if he be
within these seven realms. Meanwhile let us be merry, for he is proved
to be a man of honour, and that is my joy."
So then goodly letters were made and a messenger sent forth to the Lady
Liones, praying her to give best counsel where Sir Gareth might be
found. She answered that she could not then tell where he was; but she
let proclaim a great tournament at her castle, and was sure that Sir
Gareth would be heard of there. So King Arthur and all his knights of
valour and prowess came together at the Lady Liones' castle by the Isle
of Avilion, and great deeds of arms were done there, but most of all
Sir Gareth gained honour, though no one knew that it was he until a
herald rode near him and saw his name written about his helm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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