Stories of King Arthur and His Knights: Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"Malory, Thomas, Sir
General
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
Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we of his care and woe and what
pain he endured from cold, hunger, and thirst. As he wandered like a
mad man here and there, he by fortune came to the castle of King
Pelles. There he was healed of his madness, and when he was recovered
he was sore ashamed that he had thus been clean out of his wit. And
King Pelles gave him his castle of Bliant, that stood in an island
enclosed with a fair water, deep and large. Sir Launcelot called it
the Joyous Isle, and here he dwelt a long while. Because he was driven
from King Arthur's court he desired not to be known, and he named
himself "The knight that hath trespassed."
Now it fell at that time that Sir Launcelot heard of a jousting hard by
his castle, and he sent word thither that there was one knight in the
Joyous Isle, by name "The knight that hath trespassed," that will joust
against any knights that will come to him. When this cry was made,
unto Joyous Isle drew many knights, and wit you well there was not seen
at Arthur's court one knight that did so much deeds of arms as were
done in that gay castle.
And in the meanwhile came also Sir Percivale nigh to Joyous Isle, and
would have gone to that castle, but might not for the broad water.
Then he saw on the other side a lady, and he called unto her and asked
who was in that castle.
"Fair knight," she said, "here within this castle is the fairest knight
and the mightiest man that is, I dare say, living, and he calleth
himself 'The knight that hath trespassed.' He came into this country
like a mad man, with dogs and boys chasing him, and by miracle he was
brought into his wit again. If ye list to come into the castle, ye
must ride unto the farther side of the isle, and there ye shall find a
vessel that will bear you and your horse."
Then Sir Percivale came unto the vessel, and passed the water. When he
came to the castle gate, he bade the porter, "Go thou to the good
knight within the castle, and tell him here is come an errant knight to
joust with him."
Sir Percivale now rode within the castle, and anon Sir Launcelot had
warning, he was soon ready. And there Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot
encountered with such a might that both the horses and the knights fell
to the earth. Then they left their horses, swung out noble swords, and
hewed away pieces of their shields, and dashed together like two boars,
and either wounded other passing sore.
At the last Sir Percivale spake, when they had fought there more than
two hours: "Fair knight," saith he, "I pray thee tell me thy name, for
I met never with such a knight."
"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is 'The knight that hath
trespassed.' Now tell me your name, I pray you, gentle knight."
"Truly," said Sir Percivale, "my name is Sir Percivale of Galis; King
Pellinore was my father and Sir Aglovale is my brother."
"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done to fight with you that
art a knight of the Table Round, that sometime was your fellow."
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