Part I
Chapter I
How At The Vigil Of The Feast Of Pentecost Entered Into The Hall Before King
Arthur A Damosel, And Desired Sir Launcelot For To Come And Dub A Knight, And
How He Went With Her
At the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fellowship of the Round Table
were come unto Camelot and there heard their service, and the tables were set
ready to the meat, right entered into the hall a full fair gentlewoman on
horseback, that had ridden full fast, for her horse was all besweated. Then
she there alit, and came before the king and saluted him; and he said:
Damosel, God thee bless. Sir, said she, for God's sake say me where Sir
Launcelot is. Yonder ye may see him, said the king. Then she went unto
Launcelot and said: Sir Launcelot, I salute you on King Pelles' behalf, and I
require you come on with me hereby into a forest. Then Sir Launcelot asked her
with whom she dwelled. I dwell, said she, with King Pelles. What will ye with
me? said Launcelot. Ye shall know, said she, when ye come thither. Well, said
he, I will gladly go with you. So Sir Launcelot bad his squire saddle his
horse and bring his arms; and in all haste he did his commandment. Then came
the queen unto Launcelot, and said: Will ye leave us at this high feast?
Madam, said the gentlewoman, wit ye well he shall be with you tomorn by
dinner time. If I wist, said the queen, that he should not be with us here
tomorn he should not go with you by my good will. Right so departed Sir
Launcelot with the gentlewoman, and rode until that he came into a forest and
into a great valley, where they saw an abbey of nuns; and there was a squire
ready and opened the gates, and so they entered and descended off their
horses; and there came a fair fellowship about Sir Launcelot, and welcomed
him, and were passing glad of his coming. And then they led him unto the
Abbess' chamber and unarmed him; and right so he was ware upon a bed lying
two of his cousins, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and then he waked them; and when
they saw him they made great joy. Sir, said Sir Bors unto Sir Launcelot, what
adventure hath brought you hither, for we weened tomorn to have found you at
Camelot? As God me help, said Sir Launcelot, a gentlewoman brought me hither,
but I know not the cause. In the meanwhile that they thus stood talking
together, therein came twelve nuns that brought with them Galahad, the which
was passing fair and well made, that unnethe in the world men might not find
his match: and all those ladies wept. Sir, said they all, we bring you here
this child the which we have nourished, and we pray you to make him a knight,
for of a more worthier man's hand may he not receive the order of knighthood.
Sir Launcelot beheld the young squire and saw him seemly and demure as a dove,
with all manner of good features, that he weened of his age never to have seen
so fair a man of form. Then said Sir Launcelot: Cometh this desire of himself?
He and all they said yea. Then shall he, said Sir Launcelot, receive the high
order of knighthood as tomorn at the reverence of the high feast. That night
Sir Launcelot had passing good cheer; and on the morn at the hour of prime, at
Galahad's desire, he made him knight and said: God make him a good man, for
of beauty faileth you not as any that liveth.
Chapter II
How The Letters Were Found Written In The Siege Perilous, And Of The
Marvellous Adventure Of The Sword In A Stone
Now fair sir, said Sir Launcelot, will ye come with me unto the court of
King Arthur? Nay, said he, I will not go with you as at this time. Then he
departed from them and took his two cousins with him, and so they came unto
Camelot by the hour of underne on Whitsunday. By that time the king and the
queen were gone to the minster to hear their service. Then the king and the
queen were passing glad of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and so was all the
fellowship. So when the king and all the knights were come from service, the
barons espied in the sieges of the Round Table all about, written with golden
letters: Here ought to sit he, and he ought to sit here. And thus they went
so long till that they came to the Siege Perilous, where they found letters
newly written of gold which said: Four hundred winters and four and fifty
accomplished after the passion of our Lord Jesu Christ ought this siege to be
fulfilled. Then all they said: This is a marvellous thing and an adventurous.
In the name of God, said Sir Launcelot; and then accounted the term of the
writing from the birth of our Lord unto that day. It seemeth me, said Sir
Launcelot, this siege ought to be fulfilled this same day, for this is the
feast of Pentecost after the four hundred and four and fifty year; and if it
would please all parties, I would none of these letters were seen this day,
till he be come that ought to achieve this adventure. Then made they to ordain
a cloth of silk, for to cover these letters in the Siege Perilous. Then the
king bad haste unto dinner. Sir, said and Sir Kay the Steward, if ye go now to
your meat ye shall break your old custom of your court, for ye have not used
on this day to sit at your meat or that ye have seen some adventure. Ye say
sooth, said the king, but I had so great joy of Sir Launcelot and of his
cousins, which be come to the court whole and sound, so that I bethought me
not of mine old custom. So, as they stood speaking, in came a squire and said
unto the king: Sir, I bring unto you marvellous tidings, What be they? said
the king. Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone which I saw
fleet above the water, and therein I saw sticking a sword. The king said: I
will see that marvel. So all the knights went with him, and when they came to
the river they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red marble, and
therein stuck a fair rich sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious
stones wrought with subtil letters of gold. Then the barons read the letters
which said in this wise: Never shall man take me hence, but only he by whose
side I ought to hang, and he shall be the best knight of the world. When the
king had seen the letters, he said unto Sir Launcelot: Fair sir, this sword
ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be the best knight of the world. Then Sir
Launcelot answered full soberly: Certes, sir, it is not my sword; also, Sir,
wit ye well I have no hardiness to set my hand to it, for it longed not to
hang by my side. Also, who that assayeth to take the sword and faileth of it,
he shall receive a wound by that sword that he shall not be whole long after.
And I will that ye wit that this same day shall the adventures of the
Sangreal, that is called the Holy, Vessel, begin.
Chapter III
How Sir Gawaine Essayed To Draw Out The Sword, And How An Old Man Brought In
Galahad
Now, fair nephew, said the king unto Sir Gawaine, essay ye, for my love.
Sir, he said, save your good grace I shall not do that. Sir, said the King,
essay to take the sword and at my commandment. Sir, said Gawaine, your
commandment I will obey. And therewith he took up the sword by the handles,
but he might not stir it. I thank you, said the king to Sir Gawaine. My lord
Sir Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, now wit ye well this sword shall touch you so
sore that ye shall will ye had never set your hand thereto for the best
castle of this realm. Sir, he said, I might not withsay mine uncle's will and
commandment. But when the king heard this he repented it much, and said unto
Sir Percivale that he should essay, for his love. And he said: Gladly, for to
bear Sir Gawaine fellowship. And therewith he set his hand on the sword and
drew it strongly, but he might not move it. Then were there more that durst
be so hardy, to set their hands thereto. Now may ye go to your dinner, said
Sir Kay unto the King, for a marvellous adventure have ye seen. So the king
and all went unto the court, and every knight knew his own place, and set him
therein, and young men that were knights served them. So when they were
served, and all sieges fulfilled save only the Siege Perilous, anon there
befell a marvellous adventure, that all the doors and windows of the palace
shut by themself. Not for then the hall was not greatly darked; and therewith
they abashed both one and other. Then King Arthur spake first and said: By
God, fair fellows and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but or night I
suppose we shall see greater marvels. In the meanwhile came in a good old man,
and an ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no knight knew from whence
he came. And with him he brought a young knight, both on foot, in red arms,
without sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side. And these words
he said: Peace be with you, fair lords. Then the old man said unto Arthur:
Sir, I bring here a young knight, the which is of king's lineage, and of the
kindred of Joseph of Aramathie, whereby the marvels of this court, and of
strange realms, shall be full accomplished.
Chapter IV
How The Old Man Brought Galahad To The Siege Perilous And Set Him Therein, And
How All The Knights Marvelled
The king was right glad of his words, and said unto the good man: Sir, ye
be right welcome, and the young knight with you. Then the old man made the
young man to unarm him, and he was in a coat of red sendel, and bare a mantle
upon his shoulder that was furred with ermine, and put that upon him. And the
old knight said unto the young knight: Sir, follow me. And anon he led him
unto the Siege Perilous, where beside sat Sir Launcelot; and the good man lift
up the cloth, and found there letters that said thus: This is the siege of
Galahad, the haut prince. Sir, said the old knight, wit ye well that place is
yours. And then he set him down surely in that siege. And then he said to the
old man: Sir, ye may now go your way, for well have ye done that ye were
commanded to do; and recommend me unto my grandsire, King Pelles, and unto my
lord Petchere, and say them on my behalf, I shall come and see them as soon as
ever I may. So the good man departed; and there met him twenty noble squires,
and so took their horses and went their way. Then all the knights of the Table
Round marvelled greatly of Sir Galahad, that he durst sit there in that Siege
Perilous, and was so tender of age; and wist not from whence he came but all
only by God; and said: This is he by whom the Sangreal shall be achieved, for
there sat never none but he, but he were mischieved. Then Sir Launcelot beheld
his son and had great joy of him. Then Bors told his fellows: Upon pain of my
life this young knight shall come unto great worship. This noise was great in
all the court, so that it came to the queen. Then she had marvel what knight
it might be that durst adventure him to sit in the Siege Perilous. Many said
unto the queen he resembled much unto Sir Launcelot. I may well suppose, said
the queen, that Sir Launcelot begat him on King Pelles' daughter, by the which
he was made to lie by, by enchantment, and his name is Galahad. I would fain
see him, said the queen, for he must needs be a noble man, for so is his
father that him begat, I report me unto all the Table Round. So when the meat
was done that the king and all were risen, the king yede unto the Siege
Perilous and lift up the cloth, and found there the name of Galahad; and then
he shewed it unto Sir Gawaine, and said: Fair nephew, now have we among us Sir
Galahad, the good knight that shall worship us all; and upon pain of my life
he shall achieve the Sangreal, right as Sir Launcelot had done us to
understand. Then came King Arthur unto Galahad and said: Sir, ye be welcome,
for ye shall move many good knights to the quest of the Sangreal, and ye shall
achieve that never knights might bring to an end. Then the king took him by
the hand, and went down from the palace to shew Galahad the adventures of the
stone.
Chapter V
How King Arthur Shewed The Stone Hoving On The Water To Galahad, And How He
Drew Out The Sword
The queen heard thereof, and came after with many ladies, and shewed them
the stone where it hoved on the water. Sir, said the king unto Sir Galahad,
here is a great marvel as ever I saw, and right good knights have essayed and
failed. Sir, said Galahad, that is no marvel, for this adventure is not
theirs but mine; and for the surety of this sword I brought none with me, for
here by my side hangeth the scabbard. And anon he laid his hand on the sword,
and lightly drew it out of the stone, and put it in the sheath, and said unto
the king: Now it goeth better than it did aforehand. Sir, said the king, a
shield God shall send you. Now have I that sword that sometime was the good
knight's, Balin le Savage, and he was a passing good man of his hands; and
with this sword he slew his brother Balan, and that was great pity, for he was
a good knight, and either slew other through a dolorous stroke that Balin gave
unto my grandfather King Pelles, the which is not yet whole, nor not shall be
till I heal him. Therewith the king and all espied where came riding down the
river a lady on a white palfrey toward them. Then she saluted the king and
the queen, and asked if that Sir Launcelot was there. And then he answered
himself: I am here, fair lady. Then she said all with weeping: How your great
doing is changed sith this day in the morn. Damosel, why say you so? said
Launcelot. I say you sooth, said the damosel, for ye were this day the best
knight of the world, but who should say so now, he should be a liar, for there
is now one better than ye, and well it is proved by the adventures of the
sword whereto ye durst not set to your hand; and that is the change and
leaving of your name. Wherefore I make unto you a remembrance, that ye shall
not ween from henceforth that ye be the best knight of the world. As touching
unto that, said Launcelot, I know well I was never the best. Yes, said the
damosel, that were ye, and are yet, of any sinful man of the world. And, Sir
king, Nacien, the hermit, sendeth thee word, that thee shall befall the
greatest worship that ever befell king in Britain; and I say you wherefore,
for this day the Sangreal appeared in thy house and fed thee and all thy
fellowship of the Round Table. So she departed and went that same way that
she came.
Chapter VI
How King Arthur Had All The Knights Together For To Joust In The Meadow Beside
Camelot Or They Departed
Now, said the king, I am sure at this quest of the Sangreal shall all ye
of the Table Round depart, and never shall I see you again whole together;
therefore I will see you all whole together in the meadow of Camelot to joust
and to tourney, that after your death men may speak of it that such good
knights were wholly together such a day. As unto that counsel and at the
king's request they accorded all, and took on their harness that longed unto
jousting. But all this moving of the king was for this intent, for to see
Galahad proved; for the king deemed he should not lightly come again unto the
court after his departing. So were they assembled in the meadow both more and
less. Then Sir Galahad, by the prayer of the king and the queen, did upon him
a noble jesseraunce, and also he did on his helm, but shield would he take
none for no prayer of the king. And then Sir Gawaine and other knights prayed
him to take a spear. Right so he did; and the queen was in a tower with all
her ladies, for to behold that tournament. Then Sir Galahad dressed him in
middes of the meadow, and began to break spears marvelously, that all men
had wonder of him; for he there surmounted all other knights, for within a
while he had defouled many good knights of the Table Round save twain, that
was Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale.
Chapter VII
How The Queen Desired To See Galahad; And How After, All The Knights
Were Replenished With The Holy Sangreal, And How They Avowed The Enquest Of
The Same
Then the king, at the queen's request, made him to alight and to unlace
his helm, that the queen might see him in the visage. When she beheld him she
said: Soothly I dare well say that Sir Launcelot begat him, for never two men
resembled more in likeness, therefore it is no marvel though he be of great
prowess. So a lady that stood by the queen said: Madam, for God's sake ought
he of right to be so good a knight? Yea, forsooth, said the queen, for he is
of all parties come of the best knights of the world and of the highest
lineage; for Sir Launcelot is come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu
Christ, and Sir Galahad is of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ,
therefore I dare say they be the greatest gentlemen of the world. And then the
king and all estates went home unto Camelot, and so went to evensong to the
great minster, and so after upon that to supper, and every knight sat in his
own place as they were toforehand. Then anon they heard cracking and crying of
thunder, that them thought the place should all to drive. In the midst of this
blast entered a sunbeam more clearer by seven times than ever they saw day,
and all they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began every
knight to behold other, and either saw other, by their seeming, fairer than
ever they saw afore. Not for then there was no knight might speak one word a
great while, and so they looked every man on other as they had been dumb. Then
there entered into the hall the Holy Greal covered with white samite, but
there was none might see it, nor who bare it. And there was all the hall
fulfilled with good odours, and every knight had such meats and drinks as he
best loved in this world. And when the Holy Greal had been borne through the
hall, then the Holy Vessel departed suddenly, that they wist not where it
became: then had they all breath to speak. And then the king yielded thankings
to God, of His good grace that he had sent them. Certes, said the king, we
ought to thank our Lord Jesu greatly for that he hath shewed us this day, at
the reverence of this high feast of Pentecost. Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have
been served this day of what meats and drinks we thought on; but one thing
beguiled us, we might not see the holy Grail, it was so preciously covered.
Wherefore I will make here avow, that tomorn, without longer abiding, I shall
labour in the quest of the Sangreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth
and a day, or more if need be, and never shall I return again unto the court
till I have seen it more openly than it hath been seen here; and if I may not
speed I shall return again as he that may not be against the will of our Lord
Jesu Christ. When they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose
up the most part and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made. Anon as King
Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for he wist well they might not
again say their avows. Alas, said King Arthur unto Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh
slain me with the avow and promise that ye have made; for through you ye have
bereft me the fairest fellowship and the truest of knighthood that ever were
seen together in any realm of the world; for when they depart from hence I am
sure they all shall never meet more in this world, for they shall die many in
the quest. And so it forthinketh me a little, for I have loved them as well as
my life, wherefore it shall grieve me right sore, the departition of this
fellowship: for I have had an old custom to have them in my fellowship.
Chapter VIII
How Great Sorrow Was Made Of The King And The Queen And Ladies
For The Departing Of The Knights, And How They Departed
And therewith the tears filled in his eyes. And then he said: Gawaine,
Gawaine, ye have set me in great sorrow, for I have great doubt that my true
fellowship shall never meet here more again. Ah, said Sir Launcelot, comfort
yourself; for it shall be unto us a great honour and much more than if we
died in any other places, for of death we be siccar. Ah, Launcelot, said the
king, the great love that I have had unto you all the days of my life maketh
me to say such doleful words; for never Christian king had never so many
worthy men at his table as I have had this day at the Round Table, and that is
my great sorrow. When the queen, ladies, and gentlewomen, wist these tidings,
they had such sorrow and heaviness that there might no tongue tell it, for
those knights had held them in honour and charity. But among all other Queen
Guenever made great sorrow. I marvel, said she, my lord would suffer them to
depart from him. Thus was all the court troubled for the love of the
departition of those knights. And many of those ladies that loved knights
would have gone with their lovers; and so had they done, had not an old knight
come among them in religious clothing; and then he spake all on high and said:
Fair lords, which have sworn in the quest of the Sangreal, thus sendeth you
Nacien, the hermit, word, that none in this quest lead lady nor gentlewoman
with him, for it is not to do in so high a service as they labour in; for I
warn you plain, he that is not clean of his sins he shall not see the
mysteries of our Lord Jesu Christ. And for this cause they left these ladies
and gentlewomen. After this the queen came unto Galahad and asked him of
whence he was, and of what country. He told her of whence he was. And son unto
Launcelot, she said he was. As to that, he said neither yea or nay. So God me
help, said the queen, of your father ye need not to shame you, for he is the
goodliest knight, and of the best men of the world come, and of the strain of
all parties, of kings. Wherefore ye ought of right to be, of your deeds, a
passing good man; and certainly, she said, ye resemble him much. Then Sir
Galahad was a little ashamed and said: Madam, sith ye know in certain,
wherefore do ye ask it me? for he that is my father shall be known openly and
all betimes. And then they went to rest them. And in the honour of the
highness of Galahad he was led into King Arthur's chamber, and there rested
in his own bed. And as soon as it was day the king arose, for he had no rest
of all that night for sorrow. Then he went unto Gawaine and to Sir Launcelot
that were arisen for to hear mass. And then the king again said: Ah Gawaine,
Gawaine, ye have betrayed me; for never shall my court be amended by you, but
ye will never be sorry for me as I am for you. And therewith the tears began
to run down by his visage. And therewith the king said: Ah, knight Sir
Launcelot, I require thee thou counsel me, for I would that this quest were
undone an it might be. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, ye saw yesterday so many
worthy knights that then were sworn that they may not leave it in no manner of
wise. That wot I well, said the king, but it shall so heavy me at their
departing that I wot well there shall no manner of joy remedy me. And then
the king and the queen went unto the minister. So anon Launcelot and Gawaine
commanded their men to bring their arms. And when they all were armed save
their shields and their helms, then they came to thier fellowship, which were
all ready in the same wise, for to go to the minster to hear their service.
Then after the service was done the king would wit how many had undertaken the
quest of the Holy Grail; and to account them he prayed them all. Then found
they by tale an hundred and fifty, and all were knights of the Round Table.
And then they put on their helms an departed, and reommended them all wholly
unto the queen: and there was weeping and great sorrow. Then the queen
departed into her chamber so that no man should apperceive her great sorrows.
When Sir Launcelot missed the queen he went into her chamber, and when she saw
him she cried aloud: O Sir Launcelot, ye have betrayed me and put me to
death, for to leave thus my lord. Ah, madam, said Sir Launcelot, I pray you be
not displeased, for I shall come as soon as I may with my worship. Alas, said
she, that ever I saw you; but he that suffered death upon the cross for all
mankind be to you good conduct and safety, and all the whole fellowship. Right
so departed Sir Launcelot, and found his fellowship that abode his coming. And
so they mounted upon their horses and rode through the streets of Camelot; and
there was weeping of the rich and poor, and the king turned away and might not
speak for weeping. So within a while they came to a city, and a castle that
hight Vagon. There they entered into the castle, and the lord of that castle
was an old man that hight Vagon, and he was a good man of his living, and set
open the gates, and made them all the good cheer that he might. And so on the
morrow they were all accorded that they should depart every each from other;
and then they departed on the morrow with weeping and mourning cheer, and
every knight took the way that him best liked.
Chapter IX
How Galahad Gat Him A Shield, And How They Sped That Presumed To Take Down The
Said Shield
Now rideth Sir Galahad yet without shield, and so he rode four days
without any adventure. And at the fourth day after evensong he came to
a White Abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and led to a
chamber, and there he was unarmed; and then was he ware of two knights of the
Round Table, one was King Bagdemagus, and that other was Sir Uwaine. And when
they saw him they went unto him and made of him great solace, and so they went
to supper. Sirs, said Sir Galahad, what adventure brought you hither? Sir,
said they, it is told us that within this place is a shield that no man may
bear about his neck but if that he be mischieved or dead within three days, or
else maimed for ever. Ah sir, said King Bagdemagus, I shall it bear to-morrow
for to essay this strange adventure. In the name of God, said Sir Galahad.
Sir, said Bagdemagus, an I may not achieve the adventure of this shield ye
shall take it upon you, for I am sure ye shall not fail. Sir, said Galahad, I
agree right well thereto, for I have no shield. So on the morn they arose and
heard mass. Then King Bagdemagus asked where the adventurous shield was. Anon
a monk led him behind an altar where the shield hung as white as any snow, but
in the middes was a red cross. Sir, said the monk, this shield ought not to be
hanged about no knight's neck but he be the worthiest knight of the world, and
therefore I counsel you knights to be well advised. Well, said King
Bagdemagus, I wot well that I am not the best knight of the world, but yet
shall I essay to bear it. And so he bare it out of the monastery; and then he
said unto Sir Galahad: If it will please you I pray you abide here still, till
ye know how I shall speed. I shall abide you here, said Galahad. Then King
Bagdemagus took with him a squire, the which should bring tidings unto Sir
Galahad how he sped. Then when they had ridden a two mile and came in a fair
valley afore an hermitage, then they saw a goodly knight come from that part
in white armour, horse and all; and he came as fast as his horse might run,
with his spear in the rest, and King Bagdemagus dressed his spear against him
and brake it upon the white knight. But the other struck him so hard that he
brake the mails, and thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield
covered him not as at that time; and so he bare him from his horse. And
therewith he alighted and took the white shield from him saying: Knight, thou
has done thyself great folly, for this shield ought not to be borne but by him
that shall have no peer that liveth. And then he came to King Bagdemagus'
squire and said: Bear this shield unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou
left in the abbey, and greet him well from me. Sir, said the squire, what is
your name? Take thou no heed of my name, said the knight, for it is not for
thee to know nor for none earthly man. Now, fair sir, said the squire, at the
reverence of Jesu Christ, tell me for what cause this shield may not be borne
but if the bearer thereof be mischieved. Now sith thou hast conjured me so,
said the knight, this shield behoveth unto no man but unto Galahad. And the
squire went unto Bagdemagus and asked whether he were sore wounded or not.
Yea, forsooth, said he, I shall escape hard from the death. Then he fetched
his horse, and brought him with great pain unto an abbey. Then was he taken
down softly and unarmed, and laid in a bed, and there was looked to his
wounds. And as the book telleth, he lay there long, and escaped hard with the
life.
Chapter X
How Galahad Departed With The Shield, And How King Evelake Had Received The
Shield Of Joseph Of Aramathie
Sir Galahad, said the squire, that knight that wounded Bagdemagus
sendeth you greeting, and bad that ye should bear this shield, wherethrough
great adventures should befall. Now blessed be God and fortune, said Galahad.
And then he asked his arms, and mounted upon his horse, and hung the white
shield about his neck, and commended them unto God. And Sir Uwaine said he
would bear him fellowship if it pleased him, Sir, said Galahad, that may
ye not, for I must go alone, save this squire shall bear me fellowship:
and so departed Uwaine. Then within a while came Galahad there as the white
knight abode him by the hermitage, and every each saluted other courteously.
Sir, said Galahad, by this shield be many marvels fallen? Sir, said the
knight, it befell after the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ thirty-two year,
that Joseph of Aramathie, the gentle knight, the which took down our Lord off
the holy Cross, at that time he departed from Jerusalem with a great party of
his kindred with him. And so he laboured till that they came to a city that
hight Sarras. And at that same hour that Joseph came to Sarras there was a
king that hight Evelake, that had great war against the Saracens, and in
special against one Saracen, the which was King Evelake's cousin, a rich king
and a mighty, which marched nigh this land, and his name was called Tolleme la
Feintes. So on a day these two met to do battle. Then Joseph, the son of
Joseph of Aramathie, went to King Evelake and told him he should be discomfit
and slain, but if he left his belief of the old law and believed upon the new
law. And then there he shewed him the right belief of the Holy Trinity, to the
which he agreed unto with all his heart; and there this shield was made for
King Evelake, in the name of Him that died upon the Cross. And then through
his good belief he had the better of King Tolleme. For when Evelake was in the
battle there was a cloth set afore the shield, and when he was in the
greatest peril he let put away the cloth, and then his enemies saw a figure of
a man on the Cross, wherethrough they all were discomfit. And so it befell
that a man of King Evelake's was smitten his hand off, and bare that hand in
his other hand; and Joseph called that man unto him and bade him go with good
devotion touch the Cross. And soon as that man had touched the Cross with his
hand it was as whole as ever it was tofore. Then soon after there fell a great
marvel, that the cross of the shield at one time vanished away that no man
wist where it became. And then King Evelake was baptised, and for the most
part all the people of that city. So, soon after Joseph would depart, and King
Evelake would go with him whether he would or nold. And so by fortune they
came into this land, that at that time was called Great Britain; and there
they found a great felon paynim, that put Joseph into prison. And so by
fortune tidings came unto a worthy man that hight Mondrames, and he assembled
all his people for the great renown he had heard of Joseph; and so he came
into the land of Great Britain and disinherited this felon paynim and consumed
him; and therewith delivered Joseph out of prison. And after that all the
people were turned to the Christian faith.
Chapter XI
How Joseph Made A Cross On The White Shield With His Blood, And How Galahad
Was By A Monk Brought To A Tomb
Not long after that Joseph was laid in his deadly bed. And when King
Evelake saw that he made much sorrow, and said: For thy love I have left my
country, and sith ye shall depart out of this world, leave me some token of
yours that I may think on you. Joseph said: That will I do full gladly; now
bring me your shield that I took you when ye went into battle against King
Tolleme. Then Joseph bled sore at the nose, so that he might not by no mean be
staunched. And there upon that shield he made a cross of his own blood. Now
may ye see a remembrance that I love you, for ye shall never see this shield
but ye shall think on me, and it shall be always as fresh as it is now. And
never shall man bear this shield about his neck but he shall repent it, unto
the time that Galahad, the good knight, bare it; and the last of my lineage
shall have it about his neck, that shall do many marvellous deeds. Now, said
King Evelake, where shall I put this shield, that this worthy knight may have
it? Ye shall leave it there as Nacien, the hermit, shall be put after his
death; for thither shall that good knight come the fifteenth day after that he
shall receive the order of knighthood: and so that day that they set is this
time that he have his shield, and in the same abbey lieth Nacien, the hermit.
And then the white knight vanished away. Anon as the squire had heard these
words, he alit off his hackney and kneeled down at Galahad's feet, and prayed
him that he might go with him till he had made him knight. If I would not
refuse you? Then will ye make me a knight? said the squire, and that order, by
the grace of God, shall be well set in me. So Sir Galahad granted him, and
turned again unto the abbey where they came from; and there men made great joy
of Sir Galahad. And anon as he was alit there was a monk brought him unto a
tomb in a churchyard, where there was such a noise that who that heard it
should verily nigh be mad or lose his strength: and Sir, they said, we deem it
is a fiend.
Chapter XII
Of The Marvel That Sir Galahad Saw And Heard In The Tomb, And How He Made
Melias Knight
Now lead me thither, said Galahad. And so they did, all armed save his
helm. Now, said the good man, go to the tomb and lift it up. So he did, and
heard a great noise; and piteously it said, that all men might hear it: Sir
Galahad, he servant of Jesus Christ, come thou not nigh me, for thou shalt
make me go again there where I have been so long. But Galahad was nothing
afraid, but lifted up the stone; and there came out so foul a smoke, and after
he saw the foulest figure leap thereout that ever he saw in the likeness of a
man; and then he blessed him and wist will it was a fiend. Then heard he a
voice say: Galahad, I see there environ about thee so many angels that my
power may not dare thee. Right so Sir Galahad saw a body all armed lie in that
tomb, and beside him a sword. Now, fair brother, said Galahad, let us remove
this body, for it is not worthy to lie in this churchyard, for he was a false
Christian man. And therewith they all departed and went to the abbey. And anon
as he was unarmed a good man came and set him down by him and said: Sir, I
shall tell you what betokeneth all that ye saw in the tomb; for that covered
body betokeneth the duresse of the world, and the great sin that our Lord
found in the world. For there was such wretchedness that the father loved not
the son, nor the son loved not the father; and that was one of the causes that
our Lord took flesh and blood of a clene maiden, for our sins were so great at
that time that wellnigh all was wickedness. Truly, said Galahad, I believe you
right well. So Sir Galahad rested him there that night; and upon the morn he
made the squire knight, and asked him his name, and of what kindred he was
come. Sir, said he, men calleth me Melias de Lile, and I am the son of the
king of Denmark. Now, fair sir, said Galahad, sith that ye be come of kings
and queens, now look that knighthood be well set in you, for ye ought to be a
mirror unto all chivalry. Sir, said Sir Melias, ye say sooth. But, sir, sithen
ye have made me a knight ye must of right grant me my first desire that is
reasonable. Ye say sooth, said Galahad. Melias said: Then that ye will suffer
me to ride with you in this quest of the Sangreal, till that some adventure
depart us. I grant you sir. Then men brought Sir Melias his armour and his
spear and his horse, and so Sir Galahad and he rode forth all that week or
they any found adventure. And then upon a Monday in the morning, as they were
departed from an abbey, they came to a cross which departed two ways, and in
that cross were letters written that said thus: Now, ye knights errant, the
which goeth to seek knights adventurous, see here two ways; that one way
defendeth thee that thou ne go that way, for he shall not go out of the way
again but if he a good man and a worthy knight; and if thoN go on the left
hand, thou shalt not lightly there win prowess, for thou shalt in this way be
soon essayed. Sir, said Melias to Galahad, if it like you to suffer me to take
the way on the left hand, tell me, for there I shall well prove my strength.
It were better, said Galahad, ye rode not that way, for I deem I should better
escape in that way than ye. Nay, my lord, I pray you let me have that
adventure. Take it in God's name, said Galahad.