The story of the champions of the round table

TheProjectGutenbergeBook,TheStoryoftheChampionsoftheRoundTable,
WrittenandIllustratedbyHowardPyle
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Title:TheStoryoftheChampionsoftheRoundTable
Author:HowardPyle
ReleaseDate:January18,2004[eBook#10745]
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:US-ASCII
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TheStoryof
the
Champions
ofthe
RoundTable
WrittenandIllustrated
by
HOWARDPYLE.
Foreward
TableofContents
ListofIllustrations

In1902thedistinguishedAmericanartistHowardPyleundertooktoretellandillustrate
thelegendofKingArthurandtheKnightsoftheRoundTable.Hisfour-volumeworkhas
longbeenconsideredoneoftheoutstandinginterpretationsoftheArthurcycle.
TheStoryoftheChampionsoftheRoundTable,thesecondofPyle'svolumes,was
originallypublishedin1905.Reissuednow,identicalinformattotheoriginalvolume,
withPyle'ssuperbillustrationsanddecorations,itisdestinedtoreachnewgenerationsof
readers.TheStoryoftheChampionsoftheRoundTablerecountsthefullandmovingsaga
ofthreeofArthur'sfamousknights:Percival,Tristram,andLauncelotoftheLake.
"TheperiodinwhichHowardPyledidhisworkfrequentlyhasbeenspokenofasthat
GoldenAgeinchildren'sliteraturethatwastolastforthedecadetofollow.Itis
difficulttodojusticetohiscontributiontotheshiningqualityofthatera.The
magnitudeanddiversityofhisworkeludesdefinition.Creativeartistandborn
storyteller,eachaspectofhistwofoldgeniusenrichedandinterpretedtheother."
--ElizabethNesbitt,inACriticalHistoryofChildren'sLiterature

TheStory
ofthe
Champions
ofthe
Round
Table


Foreword
Inabookwhichwaswrittenbymeaforetime,andwhichwassetforthinprint,Ithereintoldmuchofthe
historyofKingArthur;ofhowhemanifestedhisroyaltyintheachievementofthatwonderfulmagicsword
whichhedrewforthoutoftheanvil;ofhowheestablishedhisroyalty;ofhowhefoundasplendidsword
ycleptExcaliburinamiraculouslywonderfulmanner;ofhowhewonthemostbeautifulladyintheworld
forhisqueen;andofhowheestablishedthefamousRoundTableofnobleworthyknights,thelikeofwhose
prowesstheworldhathneverseen,andwillnotbelikelyevertobeholdagain.

AlsoItoldinthatbooktheadventuresofcertainworthyknightsandlikewisehowthemagicianMerlinwas
betrayedtohisundoingbyasorceresshightVivien.
Now,ifyoutookanyjoyinreadingthatbook,Ihavegreathopethatthatwhichfollowsmaybeeverywhit
aspleasingtoyou;forIshallhereinafterhavetodowiththeadventuresofcertainotherworthieswith
whomyoumayhavealreadybecomeacquaintedthroughmybookandotherwise;andlikewiseofthe
adventuresofcertainotherworthies,ofwhomyouhavenotyetbeentoldbyme.
Moreespecially,Ibelieve,youwillfindentertainmentinwhatIshallhavetotellyouoftheadventuresof
thatgreatknightwhowasaltogetherthemostnobleofspirit,andthemostbeautiful,andthebravestof
heart,ofanyknightwhoeverlived--exceptingonlyhisownson,Galahad,whowasthecrowninggloryof
hishouseandofhisnameandofthereignofKingArthur.
However,ifSirLauncelotoftheLakefailednowandtheninhisbehavior,whoisthereintheworldshall
say,"Ineverfellintoerror"?Andifhemorethanonceoffended,whoisthereshallhavehardihoodtosay,
"Inevercommittedoffence"?
Yea,thatwhichmakethLauncelotsosingularlydeartoalltheworld,isthathewasnotdifferentfromother
men,butlikeothermen,bothinhisvirtuesandhisshortcomings;onlythathewasmorestrongandmore
braveandmoreuntiringthanthoseofuswhoarehisbrethren,bothinourendeavorsandinourfailures.

TailPiece--Foreward

TableofContents


THESTORYOFSIRLAUNCELOT
ChapterFirst
HowSirLauncelotCameForthFromthe
EnchantedCastleoftheLakeandEnteredIntothe
WorldAgain,andHowKingArthurMadeHim
Knight

ChapterSecond

HowSirLauncelotandSirLionelRodeForthErrant
TogetherandHowSirLionelMetSirTurquinetoHis
GreatDole.AlsoHowSirEctorGrievedforthe
DepartureofHisBrotherLauncelotandSo,Following
Him,FellintoaVerySorryAdventure

ChapterThird
ChapterFourth
HowSirLauncelotwasFoundinaSleepbyQueen
HowSirLauncelotSoughtSirLionelandHowa
MorganaleFayandThreeOtherQueenswho
YoungDamselBroughtHimtotheGreatestBattlethat
werewithHer,andHowHewasTakentoaCastle
EverHeHadinAllHisLife
ofQueenMorgana'sandofWhatBefellHimThere
ChapterSixth
ChapterFifth
HowSirLauncelotTookPartintheTournament
HowSirLauncelotWentUponanAdventurewith
BetweenKingBagdemagusandtheKingofNorth
theDamselCroisetteasCompanion,andHowHe
Wales,andHowHeWonthatBattleforKing
OvercameSirPerisoftheForestSauvage
Bagdemagus
ChapterSeventh
HowSirLauncelotFellIntotheGreatestPerilthat
ChapterEighth
EverHeEncounteredinallHisLife.AlsoHowHe HowSirLauncelotRescuedSirKayFromaPerilous
FreedaMisfortunateCastleandTownFromthe
PassAlsoHowHeChangedArmorwithSirKayand

GiantsWhoHeldThem,andHowHeReleasedthe whatBefell
LordThereofFromaDungeon

THEBOOKOFSIRTRISTRAM
PartI
TheStoryofSirTristramandtheLadyBelleIsoult
ChapterFirst
ChapterSecond
HowthenewQueenofLyonessesought
HowSirTristramwasmadeKnightbytheKingof
Tristram'slife;howhewenttoFrance,and
Cornwall,andhowheFoughtaBattlewithaFamous
howheReturnedagaintoLyonesseandwas
Champion
ReceivedWithLoveatthatPlace
ChapterThird
HowSirTristramwenttoIrelandtobehealed
ChapterFourth
ofhisWoundbytheKing'sDaughterof
HowSirTristramencounteredSirPalamydesatthe
Ireland,andofhowhecametolovetheLady Tournamentandofwhatbefell.AlsohowSirTristramwas
BelleIsoult.AlsoconcerningSirPalamydes
ForcedtoleavetheKingdomofIreland
andtheLadyBelleIsoult
ChapterFifth
ChapterSixth
HowSirTristramwassentbyCommandof
HowSirTristramhadtodoinBattlewithThreeKnights
KingMarktogotoIrelandtoBringtheLady
oftheRoundTable.AlsohowhehadSpeechwithKing

theBelleIsoultfromIrelandtoCornwalland
Arthur
howitfaredwithhim
ChapterSeventh
HowSirTristramhadSpeechwithKingAngusofIreland;howheUndertooktoChampiontheCauseof
KingAngusandofwhatHappenedThereafter
PartII


TheStoryofSirTristramandSirLamorack
ChapterFirst
ChapterSecond
HowSirLamorackofGalescametoTintagel
HowSirTristramStartedtogotoCamelot,andhowhe
andhowheandSirTristramSwareFriendship
StayedbytheWaytodoBattlewithSirNabonleNoir
TogetherintheForest
ChapterThird
HowSirTristramdidjusticeintheisland,andTherebyReleasedSirLamorackfromCaptivity.Alsohow
SirTristramandSirLamorackRenewedtheirGreatTendernessTowardoneanother
PartIII
TheMadnessOfSirTristram
ChapterFirst
HowSirTristramwasDiscoveredwiththe
LadyBelleIsoult;howheAssaultedKing
Mark,andhowheEscapedfromTintagelinto
theForest
ChapterThird
HowSirTristramwasDiscoveredatTintagel
andofwhatBefellThereby

ChapterSecond
HowSirTristramgothimaSwordfromSirKay,andhow
heSlewTherewithaHugeKnightintheForestand
RescuedaLadyinveryGreatDistress.AlsohowSir
LauncelotfoundSirTristramintheForestandBrought
himThencetoTintagelagain
ChapterFourth
HowSirTristramandtheLadyBelleIsoultReturnedto
Cornwall,andhowtheyEndedtheirDaysTogether

THEBOOKOFSIRPERCIVAL
ChapterFirst
HowPercivalDepartedintotheWorldand
howheFoundaFairDamselinaPavilion;
likewisehowhecamebeforeQueenGuinevere
andhowheUndertookhisFirstAdventure
ChapterThird
HowSirPercivalmettwoStrangePeoplein
theForest,andhowheSuccoredaKnightwho
wasinveryGreatSorrowandDole

ChapterSecond
HowSirPercivalwasmadeKnightbyKingArthur;how
herodeForthwithSirLamorackandhowheLeftSir
LamorackinquestofAdventureuponhisownAccount;
likewisehowaGreatKnightTaughthimcraftinArms
ChapterFourth
HowSirPercivalUndertooktheAdventureoftheCastleof
BeaurepaireandhowheFaredThereinafterSeveral

ExcellentAdventures
ChapterFifth
HowSirPercivalRepaidSirKaytheBuffetheonetimegaveYelandetheDumbMaiden,andhow,
Thereafter,hewentForthtoSeekhisownLadyofLove

CONCLUSION
TailPiece--TableofContents

ListofIllustrations
HeadPiece--Foreward
TailPiece--Foreward

HeadPiece--TheStoryofSirTristramandtheLady
BelleIsoult


TristramsuccorstheLadyMoeya
KingMarkofCornwall
TheQueenofIrelandseekstoslaySirTristram
SirTristramharpethbeforeKingMark
SirTristramsitswithSirLauncelot
BelleIsoultandSirTristramdrinkthelovedraught
TailPiece--TheStoryofSirTristramandtheLadyBelle
Isoult

HeadPiece--TableofContents
TailPiece--TableofContents
HeadPiece--ListofIllustrations
TailPiece--ListofIllustrations
HeadPiece--Prologue

TheLadyNymuebearethawayLauncelotinto
theLake
TailPiece--Prologue
SirLauncelotoftheLake
HeadPiece--TheStoryofLauncelot
SirLauncelotgreetsQueenGuinevere
SirLionelofBritain
QueenMorganaappearsuntoSirLauncelot
SirLauncelotdoethbattlewithSirTurquine
SirLauncelotsitswithSirHilaireandCroisette
SirLauncelotandElouisetheFair
SirLauncelotclimbstocatchthelady'sfalcon
SirLauncelottakesthearmorofSirKay
TailPiece--TheStoryofLauncelot
SirTristramofLyonesse
HeadPiece--Prologue
TailPiece--Prologue
TheLadyBelleIsoult

SirLamorackofGales
HeadPiece--TheStoryofSirTristramandSirLamorack
SirTristramcomethtoyecastleofSirNabon
SirLamorackherdstheswineofSirNabon
TailPiece--TheStoryofSirTristramandSirLamorack
HeadPiece--TheMadnessofSirTristram
SirTristramassaultsKingMark
SirKayandtheForestMadman
SirTristramleapsintoyeSea
KingMarkbroodsmischief
TailPiece--TheMadnessofSirTristram

SirPercivalofGales
HeadPiece--Prologue
TheLadyYvettetheFair
SirPercivalandSirLamorackridetogether
SirPercivalovercomethyeEnchantressVivien
TheDemoiselleBlanchefleur
SirKayinterruptsyemeditationsofSirPercival
TailPiece--TheBookofSirPercival

TailPiece--ListofIllustrations

Prologue
Ithathalreadybeensetforthinprintinavolumewrittenbymeconcerningthe
adventuresofKingArthurwhenhefirstbecameking,howtherewerecertain
lesserkingswhofavoredhimandwerefriendlyallieswithhim,andhowthere
werecertainothersofthesamesortwhowerehisenemies.


AmongthosewhowerehisfriendswasKingBanofBenwick,whowasan
exceedinglynoblelordofhighestateandgreathonor,andwhowasofalineage
soexaltedthatitisnotlikelythattherewasanyoneintheworldwhowasofa
higherstrain.
OfKingBanandhismisfortunes.

Now,uponacertaintime,KingBanofBenwickfellintogreattrouble;forthere
cameagainsthimaverypowerfulenemy,towit,KingClaudasofScotland.
KingClaudasbroughtuntoBenwickahugearmyofknightsandlords,andthese
satdownbeforetheCastleofTriblewithintenttotakethatstrongfortressand
destroyit.
ThisnobleCastleofTriblewasthechiefestandthestrongestplaceofdefencein

allKingBan'sdominions,whereforehehadintrenchedhimselftherewithallof
hisknightsandwithhisQueen,hightHelen,andhisyoungestson,hight
Launcelot.
Nowthischild,Launcelot,wasdearertoQueenHelenthanalltheworldbesides,
forhewasnotonlylargeoflimbbutsoextraordinarilybeautifuloffacethatIdo
notbelieveanangelfromParadisecouldhavebeenmorebeautifulthanhe.He
hadbeenbornwithasingularbirth-markuponhisshoulder,whichbirth-mark
hadtheappearanceasofagoldenstarenstampedupontheskin;wherefore,
becauseofthis,theQueenwouldsay:"Launcelot,byreasonofthatstaruponthy
shoulderIbelievethatthoushaltbethestarofourhouseandthatthoushalt
shinewithsuchremarkableglorythatalltheworldshallbeholdthylustreand
shallmarvelthereatforalltimetocome."SotheQueentookextraordinary
delightinLauncelotandlovedhimtotheverycoreofherheart--albeitsheknew
not,atthetimeshespake,howthatprophecyofhersconcerningthestarwasto
fallsoperfectlytrue.
Now,thoughKingBanthoughthimselfverywelldefendedathisCastleof
Trible,yetKingClaudasbroughtsoterriblybiganarmyagainstthatplacethatit
coveredtheentireplain.Agreatmanybattleswerefoughtunderthewallsofthe
castle,buteverKingClaudaswaxedgreaterandstronger,andKingBan'sparty
grewweakerandmorefearful.
KingBanbethinkshimofKingArthur.

SobyandbythingscametosuchapassthatKingBanbethoughthimofKing


Arthur,andhesaidtohimself:"IwillgotomylordtheKingandbeseechhelp
andaidfromhim,forhewillcertainlygiveitme.NorwillItrustanymessenger
inthisaffairotherthanmyself;forImyselfwillgotoKingArthurandwill
speaktohimwithmyownlips."
Havingthusbethoughthim,hesentforQueenHelentocomeintohisprivy

closetandhesaidtoher:"Mydearlove,nothingremainethformebuttogounto
thecourtofKingArthurandbeseechhimtolendhispowerfulaidinthis
extremityofourmisfortunes;norwillItrustanymessengerinthisaffairbut
myself.Now,thiscastleisnoplaceforthee,whenIamaway,therefore,whenI
gouponthisbusiness,IwilltaketheeandLauncelotwithme,andIwillleave
youbothinsafetyatKingArthur'scourtwithourotherson,SirEctor,untilthis
warbeendedanddone."AndtotheseQueenHelenlentherassent.
SoKingBansummonedtohimtheseneschalofthecastle,whowasnamedSir
MalydorleBrun,andsaidtohim:"Messire,Igohenceto-nightbyasecretpass,
withintenttobetakemeuntoKingArthur,andtobeseechhisaidinthis
extremity.Moreover,Ishalltakewithmemyladyandtheyoungchild
Launcelot,toplacethemwithinthecareofKingArthurduringthesedolorous
wars.Butbesidesthese,Iwilltakenootheronewithmebutonlymyfavorite
esquire,Foliot.NowIchargethee,sir,toholdthiscastleinmybehalfwithall
thymightandmain,andyielditnottoourenemiesuponanyextremity;forI
believeIshallinalittlewhilereturnwithsufficientaidfromKingArthurto
compassthereliefofthisplace."
KingBanwithQueenHelenandLauncelotescapefromTrible.

Sowhennighthadfallenverydarkandstill,KingBan,andQueenHelen,and
theyoungchildLauncelot,andtheesquireFoliotleftthetownprivilybymeans
ofaposterngate.Thencetheywentbyasecretpath,knownonlytoaveryfew,
thatleddownasteepdeclivityofrocks,withwallsofrockuponeithersidethat
wereveryhighindeed,andsotheycameoutinsafetybeyondthearmyofKing
Claudasandintotheforestofthevalleybelow.Andtheforestlayverystilland
solemnanddarkinthesilenceofthenighttime.
Havingthuscomeoutinsafetyintotheforest,thatsmallpartyjourneyedon
withallceleritythattheywereabletoachieveuntil,somelittletimebefore
dawn,theycametowherewasalakeofwaterinanopenmeadowoftheforest.
Heretheyrestedforalittlewhile,forQueenHelenhadfallenverywearywith

theroughandhastyjourneywhichtheyhadtraveled.


Foliotseethalight.

Nowwhilsttheysatthereresting,Foliotspakeofasudden,sayinguntoKing
Ban:"Lord,whatisthatlightthatmakeththeskysobrightyonder-ways?"Then
KingBanlookedalittleandpresentlysaid:"Methinksitmustbethedawnthat
isbreaking.""Lord,"quothFoliot,"thatcannotverywellbe;forthatlightinthe
skyliethinthesouth,whencewehavecome,andnotintheeast,wherethesun
shouldarise."
ThenKingBan'sheartmisgavehim,andhissoulwasshakenwithagreat
trouble."Foliot,"hesaid,"Ibelievethatyouspeaksoothandthatthatlight
bodesveryillforusall."Thenhesaid:"StayhereforalittleandIwillgoand
discoverwhatthatlightmaybe."Therewithhemountedhishorseandrodeaway
inthedarkness.
KingBanbeholdeththeburningofTrible.

Nowtherewasaveryhighhillnear-bywheretheywere,anduponthetopofthe
hillwasanopenplatformofrockwhenceamancouldseeagreatwayoffin
everydirection.SoKingBanwenttothisplace,and,whenhehadcomethere,
hecasthiseyesinthedirectionofthelightandhestraightwaybeheldwitha
mannerofterrorthatthelightcamefromTrible;andthen,withthatterrorstill
growinggreaterathisheart,hebeheldthatthetownandthecastlewereallin
onegreatflameoffire.
WhenKingBansawthishesatforawhileuponhishorselikeoneturnedintoa
stone.Then,afterawhile,hecriedoutinagreatvoice:"Woe!Woe!Woeisme!"
Andthenhecriedoutstillinaveryloudvoice,"Certes,Godhathdesertedme
entirely."
ThedeathofKingBan.

Therewithagreatpassionofgrieftookholduponhimandshookhimliketoa
leaf,andimmediatelyafterthathefeltthatsomethingbrakewithinhimwitha
verysharpandbitterpain,andhewistthatitwashisheartthathadbroken.So
beingallalonethereuponthehilltop,andintheperfectstillnessofthenight,he
criedout,"Myheart!Myheart!"Andtherewith,theshadowsofdeathcoming
uponhim,hecouldnotsitanylongeruponhishorse,butfelldownuponthe
ground.Andheknewverywellthatdeathwasnighhim,so,havingnocrossto
prayupon,hetooktwobladesofgrassandtwistedthemintothatholysign,and


hekisseditandprayeduntoitthatGodwouldforgivehimhissins.Sohedied
allaloneuponthathilltop.
Meanwhile,QueenHelenandFoliotsattogetherwaitingforhimtoreturnand
presentlytheyheardthesoundofhishorse'shoofscomingdownthatrockypath.
ThenQueenHelensaid:"Foliot,methinksmylordcometh."Soinalittlecame
thehorsewiththeemptysaddle.WhenFoliotbeheldthathesaid:"Lady,here
meseemsisgreattroublecometous,formethinkssomethinghathbefallenmy
lord,andthatheisinsoretravail,forhereishishorsewithouthim."
ThenitseemedtoQueenHelenasthoughthespiritoflifesuddenlywentaway
fromher,forsheforesawwhathadbefallen.Soshearoselikeoneinadream,
and,speakingveryquietly,shesaid:"Foliot,takemewhithermylordwent
awhilesince!"TothisFoliotsaid:"Lady,waituntilthemorning,whichisnearat
hand,foritistoodarkforyoutogothitherwardatthispresent."Whereuntothe
LadyHelenreplied:"Foliot,Icannotwait,forifIstayhereandwaitIbelieveI
shallgomad."Uponthis,Foliotdidnottrytopersuadeheranymorebutmade
readytotakeherwhithershewouldgo.
NowtheyoungchildLauncelotwasthenasleepupontheQueen'sknees,
whereforeshetookhercloakandwrappedthechildinitandlaidhimvery
gentlyupontheground,sothathedidnotwake.Thenshemounteduponher

palfreyandFoliotledthepalfreyupthehillwhitherKingBanhadgoneashort
timesince.
TheLadyHelenfindeththeKing.

Whentheycametothatplaceofopenrocksabovetoldof,theyfoundKingBan
lyingveryquietandstilluponthegroundandwithacountenanceofgreatpeace.
ForIbelieveofasuretythatGodhadforgivenhimallhissins,andhewould
nowsuffernomorebecauseofthecaresandthetroublesofthislife.ThusQueen
Helenfoundhim,andfindinghimshemadenomoanoroutcryofanykind,only
shelookedforalongwhileintohisdeadface,whichshecouldseeveryplainly
now,becausethatthedawnhadalreadybroken.Andbyandbyshesaid:"Dear
Lord,thouartatthistimeinahappiercasethanI."Andbyandbyshesaidto
Foliot:"Goandbringhishorsetothisplace,thatwemaybearhimhence."
"Lady,"saidFoliot,"itisnotgoodforyoutobeleftherealone.""Foliot,"said
theQueen,"thoudostnotknowhowmuchaloneIam;thyleavingmehere
cannotmakememorealone."Therewithshefelltoweepingwithgreatpassion.


ThenFoliotweptalsoingreatmeasureand,stillweepinglikerain,hewentaway
andlefther.WhenhecameagainwithKingBan'shorsethesunhadrisenandall
thebirdsweresingingwithgreatjubilationandeverythingwassoblitheandgay
thatnoonecouldhavebelievedthatcareandtroublecoulddwellinaworldthat
wassobeautiful.
TheLadyHelenbringethherdeaddownfromtheMountain.

SoQueenHelenandFoliotliftedthedeadkingtohishorseandthentheQueen
said:"Comethou,Foliot,atthineowngait,andIwillgoaheadandseekmy
child,forIhaveyetLauncelottobemyjoy.Haplyhewillbeneedingmeatthis
moment."SotheQueenmadehastedownthesteephillaheadofFoliotandby
andbyshecametothemarginofthatlittlelakewheretheyhadrestedawhile

since.
Bynowthesunhadrisenverystrongandwarmsothatallthelake,andthe
meadowscircumadjacent,andtheforestthatstoodaroundaboutthatmeadow
wereilluminedwiththegloryofhiseffulgence.
NowasQueenHelenenteredthatmeadowshebeheldthataverywonderfullady
wasthere,andthisladybarethechildLauncelotinherarms.Andtheladysang
toLauncelot,andtheyoungchildlookedupintoherfaceandlaughedandsethis
handagainsthercheek.AllthisQueenHelenbeheld;andshelikewisebeheld
thattheladywasofaveryextraordinaryappearance,beingcladaltogetherin
greenthatglisteredandshonewithawonderfulbrightness.Andshebeheldthat
aroundtheneckoftheladywasanecklaceofgold,insetwithopalstonesand
emeralds;andsheperceivedthatthelady'sfacewaslikeivory--verywhiteand
clear--andthathereyes,whichwereverybright,shonelikejewelssetintoivory.
Andshesawthattheladywasverywonderfullybeautiful,sothatthebeholder,
lookinguponher,feltamanneroffear--forthatladywasFay.
(AndthatladywastheLadyoftheLake,spokenofaforetimeintheBookof
KingArthur,whereinitistoldhowsheaidedKingArthurtoobtainthat
wonderful,famousswordycleptExcalibur,andhowsheaidedSirPellias,the
GentleKnight,inthetimeofhisextremity,andtookhimintothelakewithher.
Alsodiversotherthingsconcerningheraretoldoftherein.)
ThentheQueencameneartowheretheladywas,andshesaidtoher,
TheLadyNymuebearethawayLauncelotintotheLake


"Lady,Iprayyougivememychildagain!"UponthistheLadyoftheLake
smiledverystrangelyandsaid:"Thoushalthavethychildagain,lady,butnot
now;afteralittlethoushalthavehimagain."ThenQueenHelencriedoutwith
greatagonyofpassion:"Lady,wouldyoutakemychildfromme?Givehimto
meagain,forheisallIhaveleftintheworld.Lo,Ihavelosthouseandlands
andhusband,andalltheotherjoysthatlifehasmetogive,wherefore,Ibeseech

you,takenotmychildfromme."TothistheLadyoftheLakesaid:"Thoumust
endurethysorrowawhilelonger;foritissoordainedthatImusttakethychild;
forItakehimonlythatImaygivehimtotheeagain,rearedinsuchawisethat
heshallmakethegloryofthyhousetobethegloryoftheworld.Forheshall
becomethegreatestknightintheworld,andfromhisloinsshallspringagreater
stillthanhe,sothatthegloryoftheHouseofKingBanshallbespokenofas
longasmankindshalllast."ButQueenHelencriedoutallthemoreinagreat
despair:"WhatcareIforallthis?IcareonlythatIshallhavemylittlechild
again!Givehimtome!"
TheLadyoftheLaketakethLauncelotintotheLake.

TherewithshewouldhavelaidholdofthegarmentsoftheLadyoftheLakein
supplication,buttheLadyoftheLakedrewherselfawayfromQueenHelen's
handandsaid:"Touchmenot,forIamnotmortal,butFay."Andthereuponshe
andLauncelotvanishedfrombeforeQueenHelen'seyesasthebreathvanishes
fromthefaceofamirror.
Forwhenyoubreatheuponamirrorthebreathwillobscurethatwhichlieth
behind;butpresentlythebreathwilldisappearandvanish,andthenyoushall
beholdallthingsentirelyclearandbrighttothesightagain.SotheLadyofthe
Lakevanishedaway,andeverythingbehindherwhereshehadstoodwasclear
andbright,andshewasgone.
ThenQueenHelenfelldowninaswoon,andlaybesidethelakeofthemeadow
likeonethatisdead;andwhenFoliotcamehefoundhersoandwistnotwhatto
doforher.Therewashislordwhowasdeadandhisladywhowassoliketo
deaththatheknewnotwhethershewasdeadorno.Soheknewnotwhattodo
butsatdownandmadegreatlamentationforalongwhile.
TheLadyHelentakethtoaNunnery.

Whattimehesatthustherecamethatwaythreenunswhodweltinanabbeyof
nunswhichwasnotagreatdistanceawayfromthatplace.Thesemadegreatpity

overthatsorrowfulsight,andtheytookawayfromtherethedeadKingandthe
woefulQueen,andtheKingtheyburiedinholyground,andtheQueentheylet
livewiththemandshewasthereafterknownasthe"SisterofSorrows."
HowLauncelotdweltinthelake.

NowLauncelotdweltfornighseventeenyearswiththeLadyNymueoftheLake
inthatwonderful,beautifulvalleycoveredoverwiththeappearanceofsucha
magicallakeashathbeenaforetimedescribedintheBookofKingArthur.
Andthatlandofthelakewasofthissortthatshallherebedescribed:-Untoanyonewhocouldenterintothemagicwaterofthatlake(andtherewere
veryfewofthosewhoweremortalwhowereallowedtocometothosemeadows
ofFaerythatwerethereconcealedbeneaththoseenchantedwaters)hewould
beholdbeforehimawideandradiantfieldofextraordinarybeauty.Andhe
wouldbeholdthatthatfieldwascoveredalloverwithsuchamultitudeof
exquisiteandbeautifulflowersthattheheartofthebeholderwouldbeelated
withpurejoytofindhimselfinthemidstofthatwavingseaofmultitudinous
andfragrantblossoms.Andhewouldbeholdmanyfairandshadygrovesoftrees
thathereandtheregrewupfromthatvalley,eachgladeovershadowinga
fountainofwaterasclearascrystal.Andhewouldperhapsbehold,atsuch
pleasantplacesbeneaththeshadeofthosetrees,somepartyofthefairandgentle
folkofthatcountry;andhewouldseethemplayinginsport,orhewouldhear
themchantingtothemusicofshininggoldenharps.Andhewouldbeholdinthe
midstofthatbeautifulplainawonderfulcastlewithtowersandroofsuplifted
highintothesky,andallshininginthepeculiarradianceofthatland,liketo
castlesandbattlementsofpuregold.
SuchwasthelanduntowhichLauncelotwasbrought,andfromwhatIhavetold
youyoumayseewhatawonderful,beautifulplaceitwas.
AndthemysteryofthatplaceenteredintothesoulofLauncelot,sothat
thereafter,whenhecameoutthence,hewasneverlikeotherfolk,butalways

appearedtobeinamannerremoteanddistantfromotherofhisfellow-mortals
withwhomhedwelt.
Forthoughhesmiledagreatdeal,itwasnotoftenthathelaughed;andifhedid
laugh,itwasneverinscorn,butalwaysinloving-kindness.


ItwashereinthislandthatSirPelliashadnowdweltforseveralyears,with
greatpeaceandcontent.(ForithathbeentoldintheBookofKingArthurhow,
whenhewasupontheedgeofdeath,theLadyNymueoftheLakebroughthim
backtolifeagain,andhow,afterthattime,hewashalffayandhalfmortal.)
AndthereasonwhyLauncelotwasbroughttothatplacewasthatSirPellias
mightteachhimandtrainhiminalltheartsofchivalry.Fornooneinallthe
worldwasmoreskilfulinarmsthanSirPellias,andnoonecouldsowellteach
Launcelotthedutiesofchivalryashe.
SoSirPelliastaughtLauncelotallthatwasbestofknighthood,bothasto
conductofmanner,andastotheworthinessandskillatarms,whereforeitwas
thatwhenLauncelotwascompletelytaught,therewasnoknightinalltheworld
whowashispeerinstrengthofarmsorincourtesyofbehavior,untilhisown
son,SirGalahad,appearedinthecourtsofchivalryasshallbyandbybetoldof.
SowhenLauncelotcameforthintotheworldagainhebecamethegreatest
knightinallthehistoryofchivalry,whereforethatprophecyofhismotherwas
fulfilledastohisbeingliketoabrightstarofexceedinglustre.
Accordingly,Ihavehereintoldyouwithgreatparticularityallthese
circumstancesofhisearlyhistorysothatyoumayknowexactlyhowitwasthat
hewastakenawayintothelake,andwhyitwasthathewasafterwardknownas
SirLauncelot,surnamedoftheLake.
Astohowhecameintotheworldtoachievethatgreatnessuntowhichhehad
beenpreordained,andastohowKingArthurmadehimknight,andastomany
veryexcellentadventuresthatbefellhim,youshallimmediatelyreadinwhat
followeth.

TailPiece--Prologue


TheStoryofSirLauncelot
HerebeginneththestoryofSirLauncelot,surnamedoftheLake,whowasheldbyallmento
bethemostexcellent,noble,perfectknight-championwhowaseverseenintheworldfrom
Sir
theverybeginningofchivalryuntothetimewhenhisson,SirGalahad,appearedlikea
Launcelot brightstarofextraordinarysplendorshiningintheskyofchivalry.

ofthe
Lake

InthisBookitshallbetoldhowhewastakenintoamagiclake,howhecameoutthenceto
bemadeknightbyKingArthur,andofhowheundertookseveralofthoseadventuresthat
madehimatoncethewonderandtheadmirationofallmen,andthechiefestgloryofthe
RoundTableofArthur-Pendragon.

TheStoryofSirLauncelot

ChapterFirst


HowSirLauncelotCameForthFromtheEnchantedCastleoftheLakeandEntered
IntotheWorldAgain,andHowKingArthurMadeHimKnight.
Ofthespringtimeoflongago.

Iknownotanytimeoftheyearthatismorefullofjoyfulnessthantheearly
summerseason;forthattimethesuniswonderfullylustyandstrong,yetnotso
veryhot;thattimethetreesandshrubsareveryfulloflifeandveryabundantof

shadeandyethavenotgrowndrywiththeheatsanddroughtsoflaterdays;that
timethegrassisyoungandlushandgreen,sothatwhenyouwalkathwartthe
meadow-landsitisasthoughyouwalkedthroughafairbillowylakeofmagical
verdure,sprinkledoverwithagreatmultitudeoflittleflowers;thattimethe
rosesareeverywherea-bloom,boththewhiteroseandthered,andtheeglantine
isabundant;thattimethenestsarebrimfulofwell-fledgednestlings,andthe
littleheartsofthesmallparentfowlsaresoexaltedwithgladnessthattheysing
withalltheirmightsandmains,sothattheearlydaytimeisfilledfullofthe
sweetjargonandthejubilantmedleyoftheirvoices.Yea;thatisagoodlyseason
oftheyear,forthough,haply,thespiritmaynotbesohilariousasintheyoung
andgoldenspringtime,yetdoththesoultaketoitselfsogreatacontentinthe
fulnessofthebeautyoftheworld,thattheheartiselatedwithagreatand
abundantjoythatitisnotapttofeelatanotherseason.
KingArthurandtwoknightsridea-hunting.

NowitchanceduponthedaybeforeSaintJohn'sdayinthefulnessofasummertimesuchasthis,thatKingArthurlookedforthfromhischamberveryearlyin
themorningandbeheldhowexceedinglyfairandverylustywastheworldoutof-doors--allinthefreshnessoftheyoungdaylight.Forthesunhadnotyetrisen,
thoughhewasabouttorise,andtheskywasliketopuregoldforbrightness;all
thegrassandleavesandflowersweredrenchedwithsweetandfragrantdew,and
thebirdsweresingingsovehementlythattheheartofanymancouldnotbut
rejoiceinthefulnessoflifethatlayallaroundabouthim.
ThereweretwoknightswithKingArthuratthattime,onewasSirEwain,the
sonofMorganaleFay(andhewasKingArthur'snephew),andtheotherwasSir
EctordeMaris,thesonofKingBanofBenwickandofQueenHelen--thislatter
averynoble,youthfulknight,andtheyoungestofalltheKnightsoftheRound
Tablewhowereatthattimeelected.ThesestoodbyKingArthurandlooked
forthoutofthewindowwithhimandtheyalsotookjoywithhiminthe
sweetnessofthesummerseason.Untothem,afterawhile,KingArthurspake,
saying:"Messires,meseemsthisistoofairadaytostaywithindoors.For,

certes,itisashamethatIwhoamakingshouldbeprisonerwithinmineown
castle,whilstanyploughmanmaybefreeofthewoldandthegreenwoodsand
thebrightsunandtheblueskyandthewindthatblowsoverhillanddale.Now,
Itoowouldfaingoforthoutofdoorsandenjoythesethings;whereforeIordain
thatweshallgoa-huntingthisdayandthatyeandIshallstartbeforeanyothers
ofthelordsandtheladiesthatdwellhereinareawake.Soletustakeourhorses
andourhoundsandletustakecertainforestersandhuntsmen,andletusgoforth
a-huntingintothegreenforest;forthisdayshallbeholidayformeandforyou
andweshallleavecarebehindus,andforawhileweshalldisportourselvesin
pleasantplaces."
SotheyalldidasKingArthurbade;theymadethemeachmanreadywithhis
ownhands,andtheybadethehuntsmenandtheforesterstoattendthereuponas
theKinghadordained.Thentheyrodeforthfromthecastleandoutintothe
wideworldthatlaybeyond,anditwasyetsoearlyinthemorningthatnoneof
thecastlefolkwereastirtoknowoftheirdeparture.
Allthatdaytheyhuntedintheforestwithmuchjoyandwithgreatsport,nordid
theyturntheirfacestowardhomeagainuntilthedaywassofarspentthatthe
sunhadsunkbehindthetopsofthetallleafytrees.Then,atthattime,King
ArthurgavecommandthattheyshouldbendtheirwaystowardCamelotonce
more.
KingArthurandhiscompanionsfindastrangedamselandadwarf.

Nowthistime,beingtheEveofSaintJohn,fairiesandthosefolkwhoarefay
comeforth,asisverywellknown,intotheworldfromwhichtheydwellapartat
othertimes.SowhenKingArthurandthosetwoknightsandtheirseveral
forestersandhuntsmencametoacertainoutlyingpartoftheforest,theywere
suddenlyawareofadamselandadwarfwaitingwheretheroaduponwhichthey
weretravellingcrossedanotherroad,andtheyperceived,fromhervery
remarkableappearance,thatthedamselwasverylikelyFay.Forbothsheand

herdwarfsateachuponamilk-whitehorse,verystrangelystill,closetowhere
wasashrinebyahedgeofhawthorne;andthedamselwassowonderfullyfairof
facethatitwasamarveltobeholdher.Moreover,shewascladallinwhite
samitefromtoptotoeandhergarmentswereembroideredwithsilver;andthe
trappingsandgarnitureofherhorsewereofwhitesamitestuddedwithbright
silverbosses,wherefore,becauseofthissilver,sheglisteredwithasuddenlustre
whensoevershemovedalittle.WhenKingArthurandthetwoknightswhowere


withhimdrewnighthisdamsel,muchmarvellingatherappearance,shehailed
himinavoicethatwasbothhighandclear,crying:"Welcome,KingArthur!
Welcome,KingArthur!Welcome,KingArthur!"sayingthreewordsthreetimes;
and"Welcome,SirEwain!""Welcome,SirEctordeMaris!"addressingeachof
thoselordsbyhisname.
"Damsel,"quothKingArthur,"itisverysingularthatyoushouldknowwhowe
areandthatweshouldnotknowyou.Now,willyounottellusyournameand
whenceyoucomeandwhitheryougo?ForofasuretyIbelieveyouareFay."
"Lord,"saidthedamsel,"itmattersnotwhoIam,savingthatIamofthecourtof
awonderfulladywhoisyourverygoodfriend.Shehathsentmeheretomeet
youandtobeseechyoutocomewithmewhitherIshallleadyou,andIshall
leadyouuntoher."
"Damsel,"saidKingArthur,"Ishallberightgladtogowithyouasyoudesire
metodo.So,ifyouwillleadmetoyourlady,Iandmyknightswillgladly
followyouthitherwaytopayourcourtuntoher."
KingArthurandhisknightsfollowthedamsel.

Uponthisthedamselwavedherhand,anddrawingherbridle-reinsheledthe
way,accompaniedbythedwarf,andKingArthurandthetwoknightsfollowed
her,andalltheirpartyofforestersandhuntsmenandhoundsandbeagles
followedthem.

Bythistimethesunhadsetandthemoonhadrisenveryfairandroundandas
yellowasgold,makingagreatlightabovethesilenttree-tops.Everythingnow
wasembalmedinthetwilight,andalltheworldwasenshroudedinthemystery
ofthemidsummereve.Yetthoughthesunhadgonethelightwaswonderfully
bright,whereforeallthattheeyecouldseestoodsharp-cutandverycleartothe
vision.
Sothedamselandthedwarfledthewayforsomewhatofadistance,thoughnot
forsoveryfar,untiltheycameofasuddentowherewasanopenmeadowinthe
forest,hedgedallaroundwiththetreesofthewoodland.AndheretheKingand
hisknightswereawareofagreatbustleofmanypeople,someworkingvery
busilyinsettingupseveralpavilionsofwhitesamite,andotherspreparinga
tableasforafeast,andothersuponthisbusinessandothersuponthat;andthere
werevarioussumpter-mulesandpack-horsesandpalfreysallabout,asthough


belongingtoapartyofconsiderableestate.
ThenKingArthurandthosewhowerewithhimbeheldthat,atsomedistance
awayupontheothersideofthemeadow,therewerethreepeoplesittingundera
crab-appletreeuponacouchespeciallypreparedforthem,andtheywereaware
thatthesepeoplewerethechiefofallthatcompany.
KingArthurandhiscompanionsarebroughttospeakwithstrangefolk.

Thefirstpartyofthethreewasaknightofveryhaughtyandnobleappearance,
cladallinarmoraswhiteassilver;andhisjuponwaswhiteembroideredwith
silver,andthescabbardoftheswordandthesword-beltwerewhite,andhis
shieldhunginthecrab-treeabovehimandthat,too,wasallwhiteasofsilver.
Thisknightstillworehishelmet,sothathiscountenancewasnottobeseen.The
secondpartyofthethreewasaladycladallinwhiteraiment.Herfacewas
coveredbyherwimplesothathercountenancealsowasnottobeseenvery
clearly,buthergarmentswereofwonderfulsort,beingofwhitesarcenet

embroideredoverwithsilverinthepatternoflilyflowers.Alsosheworearound
herbreastandthroatachainofshiningsilverstuddedwithbrightandsparkling
gemsofdiverssorts.Thethirdpartyofthethreewasayouthofeighteenyears,
sobeautifuloffacethatitseemedtoKingArthurthathehadneverbeheldso
nobleabeing.Forhiscountenancewaswhiteandshining,andhishairwasas
softassilkandasblackasitwaspossibletobe,andcurleddownuponhis
shoulders;andhiseyeswerelargeandbrightandextraordinarilyblack,andhis
eyebrowsarchedsosmoothlythatiftheyhadbeenpaintedtheycouldnothave
beenmarkeduponhisforeheadmoreevenlythantheywere;andhislips,which
poutedalittle,thoughnotverymuch,wereasredascoral,andhisupperlipwas
shadedwithasoftdownofblack.Moreover,thisyouthwascladaltogetherin
whiteclothofsatinwithnoornamentswhatsoeversavingonlyafinechainof
shiningsilversetwithopal-stonesandemeraldsthathungabouthisneck.
ThenwhenKingArthurapproachednearenoughheperceivedbycertainsigns
thattheladywasthechiefestofthosethree,whereforehepaidhiscourttoher
especially,sayingtoher:"Lady,itseemsthatIhavebeenbroughthitherward
untoyouandthatyouwereawareofmynameandestatewhenyousentforme.
NowIshouldbeexceedinglygladifyouwouldenlightenmeinthesame
mannerastoyourself."
"Sir,"shesaid,"thatIshallbegladtodo;forifIhaveknownyouaforetime,you
havealsoseenmeaforetimeandhaveknownmeasyourfriend."Therewiththe


ladyloweredthewimplefromherfaceandKingArthurperceivedthatitwasthe
LadyoftheLake.
KingArthurfindethSirPelliasagain.

Uponthishekneeleddownupononekneeandtookherhandandsetittohis
lips."Lady,"quothhe,"Ihaveindeedcausetoknowyouverywell,foryou
have,asyouaffirm,beenafriendtomeandtomyfriendsuponmanyseveral

occasions."ThenKingArthurturnedtothatknightwhowaswiththatLadyof
theLake,andhesaiduntohim:"Messire,ifImistakenot,Ishouldknowyou
also;andIdoubtnot,ifyouwilllifttheumbrilofyourhelmet,weshallallthree
knowyourface."Uponthistheknightwithoutmoreadoliftedhisumbrilas
KingArthurhaddesiredhimtodoandthethreebeheldthatitwasSirPellias,
theGentleKnight.
NowithathalreadybeenveryfullytoldaboutSirPelliasintheBookofKing
Arthur,andthoseofyouwhoreadofhimthereinwillremember,nodoubt,how
sorelyhewaswoundedinacombatwithSirGawaine,whowashisbestfriend,
andofhowtheLadyoftheLaketookhimtodwellwithherinthatwonderful
citythatwashiddenbytheappearanceasofanenchantedlake,andofhowit
wasSirGawainewholastbeheldhimuponthatoccasion.ButifSirGawaine
wasthedearestfriendthatSirPelliashadatthattime,thenSirEwainwasonly
lessdeartohim.Therefore,whenSirEwainbeheldthatthestrangeknightwas
SirPellias,hewistnotwhattothinkforpurewonder;fornomortaleyeshad
everbeheldSirPelliassincehehadgoneintothelakewiththeLadyoftheLake
thattimeasforetold,anditwasnotthoughtthatanyonewouldeverseehim
again.
SowhenSirEwainbeheldthattheknightwasSirPelliasheemittedagreatcry
ofjoyandrantohimandcatchedhiminhisarms,andSirPelliasforbadehim
not.ForthoughatmosttimesthosewhoareofFaerydonotsufferthemselvesto
betouchedbymortalhands,yet,upontheEveofSaintJohn'sDay,fairiesand
mortalsmaycommuneasthoughtheywereofthesamefleshandblood.
WhereforeSirPelliasdidnotforbidSirEwain,andtheyembraced,asone-time
brethren-in-armsshouldembrace.Andeachkissedtheotherupontheface,and
eachmadegreatjoytheoneovertheother.Yea,sogreatwastheirjoythatall
thosewhostoodaboutweremovedwithpurehappinessatbeholdingthem.
ThenSirPelliascametoKingArthurandkneeleddownbeforehimandkissed
hishand,asistheboundendutyofeveryknightuntohislord.

"Ha,Messire,"quothKingArthur,"methoughtwhenIbeheldthislady,thatyou
wouldnotbeveryfardistantfromher."ThenhesaiduntotheLadyoftheLake:
"Lady,Ipritheetellme,whoisthisfairyouthwhoiswithyou.FormethinksI
neverbeheldbeforesonobleandsobeautifulacountenanceashis.Maybeyou
willmakeusacquaintedwithhimalso."
"Lord,"saidtheLadyNymue,"whoheis,andofwhatquality,shall,Ihope,be
mademanifestinduetime;justnowIwouldnotwishthatheshouldbeknown
evenuntoyou.Buttouchinghim,ImaysaythatitwasforhissakethatIsentmy
damseltomeetyouatthecross-roadsawhileago.Butofthat,moreanon;for
see!thefeastisnowspreadwhichwehavepreparedforyourentertainment.So
letusfirsteatanddrinkandmakemerrytogether,andthenweshallspeak
furtherofthismatter."
TheLadyoftheLakepreparethafeastforKingArthur.

Sotheyallsixwentandsatdowntothetablethathadbeenspreadforthemin
theopenmeadow-land.Forthenightwasverypleasantandwarmanda
wonderfulfullmoonshonedownuponthemwithamarvellouslustre,andthere
wasapleasantair,softandwarm,fromtheforest,and,whatwiththescoresof
brightwaxentapersthatstoodinsilvercandlesticksuponthetable(eachtaper
sparklingasbrightasanystar),thenightwasmadeallilluminateliketosome
singularmid-day.Therewassetbeforethemaplentyofdiverssavorymeatsand
ofseveralexcellentwines,someasyellowasgold,andsomeasredas
carbuncle,andtheyateandtheydrankandtheymademerryinthesoft
moonlightwithtalkandlaughter.SomewhilestheytoldSirPelliasandthelady
ofallthatwastowardatcourtatCamelot;otherwhilesSirPelliasandthelady
toldthemsuchmarvellousthingsconcerningthelandinwhichtheytwodwelt
thatitwouldbehardtobelievethatthecourtsofHeavencouldbefairerthanthe
courtsofFairylandwhencetheyhadcome.
Then,afterthefeastwasended,theLadyoftheLakesaidtoKingArthur,"Sir,

anIhavewonyourfavorinanyway,thereisacertainthingIwouldaskofyou."
TothewhichKingArthurmadereply:"Askit,Lady,anditshallbegrantedthee,
nomatterwhatitmaybe.""Sir,"saidtheLadyoftheLake,"thisiswhatIwould
askofyou.Iwouldaskyoutolookuponthisyouthwhositsbesideme.Heisso
deartomethatIcannotverywellmakeyouknowhowdearheis.Ihavebrought
himhitherfromourdwelling-placeforonecertainreason;towit,thatyou
shouldmakehimknight.ThatisthegreatfavorIwouldaskofyou.Tothis


intentIhavebroughtarmorandalltheappurtenancesofknighthood;forheisof
suchnoblelineagethatnoarmorintheworldcouldbetoogoodforhim."
"Lady,"quothKingArthur,"Iwilldowhatyouaskwithmuchpleasureand
gladness.But,touchingthatarmorofwhichyouspeak,itismycustomto
provideanyonewhomImakeaknightwitharmorofmineownchoosing."
TothistheLadyoftheLakesmiledverykindly,saying,"Lord,Iprayyou,letbe
inthiscase,forIdaresaythatthearmorwhichhathbeenprovidedforthisyouth
shallbesoaltogetherworthyofyournobilityandofhisfuturecreditthatyou
willbeentirelycontentedwithit."Andwiththat,KingArthurwasaltogether
satisfied.
Ofthearmor,etc.,ofSirLauncelot.

And,touchingthatarmor,theancienthistorythatspeakethofthesematterssaith
thatitwasofsuchasortasthisthatfolloweth,andthatitwasbroughtfromthat
enchantedcourtofthelakeinthiswise;towit,inthefrontcametwoyouths,
leadingtwowhitemules,andthemulesboretwochestsstuddedwithsilver
bosses.Inonechestwasthehauberkofthatarmorandintheotherweretheiron
boots.Thesewerebrightliketosilverandwereinlaidwithcunninglydevised
figures,allofpuregold.Nexttothemcametwoesquires,cladinwhiterobes
andmounteduponwhitehorses,bearingtheoneasilvershieldandtheothera
shininghelmet,asofsilver--itlikewisebeingverywonderfullyinlaidwith

figuresofpuregold.Afterthesecametwootheresquires,theonebearinga
swordinawhitesheathembossedwithstudsofsilver(thebeltwhereofwasof
silverwithfacetsofgold)andtheotherleadingawhitecharger,whosecoatwas
assoftandasshiningassilk.Andallthegearandfurnitureofthishorsewasof
silverandofwhitesamiteembellishedwithsilver.Sofromthisyoucanseehow
noblythatyoungacolytewasprovidedwithallthatbeseemedhisfuture
greatness.For,asyoumayhaveguessed,thisyouthwasLauncelot,KingBan's
sonofBenwick,whoshortlybecamethegreatestknightintheworld.
Launcelotguardshisarmoratnight.

Nowtherewasinthatpartoftheforestborderasmallabbeyofmonks,andin
thechapelofthatabbeyLauncelotwatchedhisarmorforthatnightandSir
Ewainwaswithhimforallthattime.MeantimeKingArthurandSirEctorde
MarisslepteachinasilkenpavilionprovidedforthembytheLadyoftheLake.


InthemorningSirEwaintookLauncelottothebathandbathedhim,forsuch
wasthecustomofthosewhowerebeingpreparedforknighthood.
Now,whilstSirEwainwasbathingtheyouth,hebeheldthatonhisshoulderwas
amarkinthelikenessofagoldenstarandhemarvelledverymuchthereat;but
hemadenomentionofitatthattime,butheldhispeaceconcerningwhathe
saw;onlyhemarvelledverygreatlythereat.
KingArthurcreatesSirLauncelotaKnight-Royal.

Then,afterSirEwainhadbathedLauncelot,heclothedhiminraimentfittedfor
thatceremonyuntowhichhewasordained,andwhentheyouthwassoclothed,
SirEwainbroughthimtoKingArthur,andKingArthurknightedLauncelotwith
greatceremony,andbuckledthebeltaroundhimwithhisownhands.Afterhe
haddonethisSirEwainandSirEctordeMarissetthegoldenspurstohisheels,
andSirEctorwistnotthathewasperformingsuchofficeforhisownbrother.

SoSirLauncelotwasmadeknightwithgreatestateandceremony,whereofI
havetoldyouall,untoeveryparticular.Foritisfittingthatallthingsshouldbe
sotoldconcerningthatmostgreatandfamousknight.
AfterKingArthurhadsodubbedSirLauncelotknight,itwastimethatthose
twopartiesshouldpartcompany--towit,thepartyoftheLadyoftheLakeand
thepartyofKingArthur.Butwhentheywereabouttoleaveoneanotherthe
LadyoftheLaketookSirLauncelotaside,andshespaketohimafterthis
manner:
TheLadyoftheLakegivesSirLauncelotgoodadvice.

"Launcelot,forgetnotthatyouareaking'sson,andthatyourlineageisasnoble
asthatofanyoneuponearth--forsoIhaveoftentoldyouaforetime.Wherefore,
seetoitthatyourworthinessshallbeasgreatasyourbeauty,andthatyour
courtesyandgentlenessshallbeasgreatasyourprowess.To-dayyoushallgo
untoCamelotwithKingArthurtomakeyourselfknownuntothatfamousCourt
ofChivalry.Butdonottarrythere,but,erethenightcometh,departandgoforth
intotheworldtoproveyourknighthoodasworthilyasGodshallgiveyougrace
todo.ForIwouldnothaveyoudeclareyourselftotheworlduntilyouhave
provedyourworthinessbyyourdeeds.Wherefore,donotyourselfproclaim
yourname,butwaituntiltheworldproclaimethit;foritisbetterfortheworldto
proclaimtheworthinessofamanthanthatthemanshouldproclaimhisown


worthiness.Soholdyourselfreadytoundertakeanyadventurewhatsoeverthat
Godsendethtoyoutodo,butneverletanyothermancompleteataskunto
whichyouyourselfhavesetyourhand."Then,aftertheLadyoftheLakehadso
advisedSirLauncelot,shekissedhimupontheface,andtherewithgavehima
ringcuriouslywroughtandsetwithawonderfulpurplestone,whichringhad
suchpowerthatitwoulddissolveeveryenchantment.Thenshesaid:"Launcelot,
wearthisringandneverletitbefromoffyourfinger."AndLauncelotsaid:"I

willdoso."SoSirLauncelotsettheringuponhisfingeranditwassothatit
neverlefthisfingerwhilsthedrewthebreathoflife.
ThenKingArthurandSirEwainandSirEctordeMarisandtheyoungSir
LauncelotlaidtheirwaystowardCamelot.And,astheyjourneyedsotogether,
SirEwaincommunicatedprivilytoSirEctordeMarishowthattheyouthhada
markasofagoldenstarupontheskinofhisshoulder,anduponthisnewsSir
Ectorfellverysilent.ForSirEctorknewthatthatsignwasuponhisown
brother'sshoulder,andhedidnotknowhowitcouldbeupontheshoulderofany
otherman.Wherefore,hewistnotwhattothinkthatitshouldbeuponthe
shoulderofthisyouth.ButhesaidnaughtofthesethoughtstoSirEwain,but
heldhispeace.
SirLauncelotcomethtoCamelot.

SotheyreachedCamelotwhilstitwasstillquiteearlyinthemorningandall
theywhoweretheremadegreatjoyatthecomingofsowonderfullyfairand
nobleayoungknightasSirLauncelotappearedtobe.Wherefore,therewas
greatsoundofrejoicingathiscoming.
Then,afterawhile,KingArthursaid:"Letusgoandseeif,haply,thisyouth's
nameismarkeduponanyoftheseatsoftheRoundTable,forIthinkitshouldbe
there."Soalltheyofthecourtwenttothatpavilionaforedescribed,wherethe
RoundTablewasestablished,andtheylooked;andlo!upontheseatthatKing
Pellinorehadonetimeoccupiedwasthisname:

THEKNIGHTOFTHELAKE
Sothenamestoodatfirst,nordiditchangeuntilthenameofSirLauncelotof
theLakebecamesofamousinalltheworld.Thenitbecamechangedtothis:

SIRLAUNCELOTOFTHELAKE.