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
When Bors heard that, he did so much as to rise and put on his helm,
making a marvellous sorrow at the sight of the dead hermit hard by.
With that Lionel smote Colgrevance so sore that he bare him to the
earth.
When he had slain Colgrevance, he ran upon his brother as a fiendly
man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop; and he, full of
humility, prayed him for God's love to leave this battle. But Lionel
would not, and then Bors drew his sword, all weeping, and said, "Fair
brother, God knoweth mine intent. Ah, brother, ye have done full evil
this day to slay such a holy priest, the which never trespassed. Also
ye have slain a gentle knight, one of our fellows. And well wot ye
that I am not afraid of you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God.
This is an unkindly war; therefore may God show miracle upon us both.
Now God have mercy upon me, though I defend my life against my brother."
With that Bors lifted up his hands, and would have smitten Lionel, but
even then he heard a voice that said, "Flee, Bors, and touch him not."
Right so came a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire, so that both
their shields burned. Then were they sore afraid, and fell both to the
earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon. When they came to
themselves, Bors saw that his brother had no harm, wherefore he gave
thanks, for he feared God had taken vengeance upon him. With that he
heard a voice say, "Bors, go hence and bear thy brother no longer
fellowship, but take thy way anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale
abideth thee there."
So Sir Bors departed from Lionel, and rode the next way to the sea. On
the strand he found a ship covered all with white samite. He alighted
from his horse and entered into the ship, and anon it departed into the
sea, and went so fast that him seemed the ship went flying. Then he
saw in the midst of the ship a knight lie, all armed save his helm, and
he knew that it was Sir Percivale. And either made great joy of other,
that it was marvel to hear.
Then Sir Bors told Sir Percivale how he came into the ship, and by
whose admonishment, and either told other of his temptations, as ye
have heard toforehand. So went they downward in the sea, one while
backward, another while forward, and each comforted other, and oft were
they in their prayers. Then said Sir Percivale, "We lack nothing but
Galahad, the good knight."
CHAPTER XXXI
HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL
When the hermit had kept Sir Launcelot three days, he gat him a horse,
a helm, and a sword. So he departed, and took the adventure that God
would send him. On a night, as he slept, there came a vision unto him,
and a voice said, "Launcelot, arise up, and take thine armour, and
enter into the first ship that thou shalt find."
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