Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XVI CHAPTER XVII

Sacred Texts  Legends and Sagas  Index  BOOK XVI  Previous  Next 

 CHAPTER XVII
 
 How there came a voice which charged Sir Bors to touch
 him not, and of a cloud that came between them.
 
 
 AND then he heard a voice that said:  Flee Bors, and
 touch him not, or else thou shalt slay him.  Right so
 alighted a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire and
 a marvellous flame, that both their two shields brent.
 Then were they sore afraid, that they fell both to the
 earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon.  And when
 they came to themself, Bors saw that his brother had no
 harm; then he held up both his hands, for he dread 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.  Then he said to his brother:
 Fair sweet brother, forgive me for God's love all that I
 have trespassed unto you.  Then he answered:  God forgive
 it thee and I do gladly.
 
 So Sir Bors departed from him and rode the next way
 to the sea.  And at the last by fortune he came to an
 abbey which was nigh the sea.  That night Bors rested
 him there; and in his sleep there came a voice to him
 and bade him go to the sea.  Then he stert up and made
 a sign of the cross in the midst of his forehead, and
 took his harness, and made ready his horse, and mounted
 upon him; and at a broken wall he rode out, and rode so
 long till that he came to the sea.  And on the strand he
 found a ship covered all with white samite, and he alighted,
 and betook him to Jesu Christ.  And as soon as he entered
 into the ship, the ship departed into the sea, and went so
 fast that him seemed the ship went flying, but it was soon
 dark so that he might know no man, and so he slept till
 it was day.  Then he awaked, and saw in midst of the
 ship a knight lie all armed save his helm.  Then knew he
 that it was Sir Percivale of Wales, and then he made of
 him right great joy; but Sir Percivale was abashed of him,
 and he asked him what he was.  Ah, fair sir, said Bors,
 know ye me not?  Certes, said he, I marvel how ye came
 hither, but if Our Lord brought ye hither Himself.  Then
 Sir Bors smiled and did off his helm.  Then Percivale
 knew him, and either made great joy of other, that it was
 marvel to hear.  Then Bors told him how he came into
 the ship, and by whose admonishment; and either told
 other of their temptations, as ye have heard to-forehand.
 So went they downward in the sea, one while backward,
 another while forward, and everych comforted other, and
 oft were in their prayers.  Then said Sir Percivale: We
 lack nothing but Galahad, the good knight.