The Story of King Arthur and his KnightsPyle, Howard
General
The Story of King Arthur and his Knights
Pyle, Howard
Arthur, King -- Legends; Arthurian romances -- Adaptations; Folklore -- England; Knights and knighthood -- Folklore
But when he heard the shouts of the people upon the castle wall, he
immediately aroused himself from where he lay in the dust, and he was so
filled with rage and shame that he was like one altogether intoxicated.
Wherefore he drew his sword and rushed with great fury upon his enemy
with intent to hew him down by main strength. Then that other knight,
seeing him come thus at him, immediately voided his own saddle and drew
his sword and put himself in posture either for assault or for defence.
So they lashed together, tracing this way and that, and smiting with
such fury that the blows they gave were most terrible for to behold. But
when Sir Ewaine beheld how fierce was that assault, he set spurs unto
his horse and pushed him between the knights-contestant, crying out
aloud, “Sir Knights! Sir Knights! what is this? Here is no cause for
such desperate battle.” But Sir Gawaine cried out very furiously, “Let
be! let be! and stand aside! for this quarrel concerns thee not.” And
the Sable Knight said, “A-horse or afoot, I am ready to meet that knight
at any time.”
But Sir Ewaine said, “Not so; ye shall fight no more in this quarrel.
For shame, Gawaine! For shame to seek such desperate quarrel with a
knight that did but meet thee in a friendly fashion in a fair contest!”
Then Sir Gawaine was aware that Sir Ewaine was both just and right;
wherefore he put up his sword in silence, albeit he was like to weep for
vexation at the shame of his overthrow. And the Sable Knight put up his
sword also, and so peace was made betwixt those two.
Then the Sable Knight said, “I am glad that this quarrel is ended, for I
perceive, Messires, that ye are assuredly knights of great nobility and
gentleness of breeding; wherefore I would that we might henceforth be
friends and companions instead of enemies. Wherefore I do beseech ye for
to come with me a little ways from here where I have taken up my inn, so
that we may rest and refresh ourselves in my pavilion.”
Unto this Sir Ewaine said, “I give thee gramercy for thy courtesy, Sir
Knight; and we will go with thee with all the pleasure that it is
possible to feel.” And Sir Gawaine said, “I am content.” So these three
knights straightway left the field of battle.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine and Sir Ewaine come to the pavilion of the Black
Knight._]
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