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<h2> CHAPTER XXVII. How King Arthur went to the tournament with his knights, and how the lady received him worshipfully, and how the knights encountered. </h2>
<p>AND then there came with King Arthur Sir Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris, his
brethren. And then his nephews Sir Uwaine le Blanchemains, and Sir
Aglovale, Sir Tor, Sir Percivale de Galis, and Sir Lamorak de Galis. Then
came Sir Launcelot du Lake with his brethren, nephews, and cousins, as Sir
Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Bors de Ganis, and Sir Galihodin, Sir
Galihud, and many more of Sir Launcelot's blood, and Sir Dinadan, Sir La
Cote Male Taile, his brother, a good knight, and Sir Sagramore, a good
knight; and all the most part of the Round Table. Also there came with
King Arthur these knights, the King of Ireland, King Agwisance, and the
King of Scotland, King Carados and King Uriens of the land of Gore, and
King Bagdemagus and his son Sir Meliaganus, and Sir Galahault the noble
prince. All these kings, princes, and earls, barons, and other noble
knights, as Sir Brandiles, Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, and Sir Kay, Sir
Bedivere, Sir Meliot de Logres, Sir Petipase of Winchelsea, Sir Godelake:
all these came with King Arthur, and more that cannot be rehearsed.</p>
<p>Now leave we of these kings and knights, and let us speak of the great
array that was made within the castle and about the castle for both
parties. The Lady Dame Lionesse ordained great array upon her part for her
noble knights, for all manner of lodging and victual that came by land and
by water, that there lacked nothing for her party, nor for the other, but
there was plenty to be had for gold and silver for King Arthur and his
knights. And then there came the harbingers from King Arthur for to
harbour him, and his kings, dukes, earls, barons, and knights. And then
Sir Gareth prayed Dame Lionesse and the Red Knight of the Red Launds, and
Sir Persant and his brother, and Sir Gringamore, that in no wise there
should none of them tell not his name, and make no more of him than of the
least knight that there was, For, he said, I will not be known of neither
more nor less, neither at the beginning neither at the ending. Then Dame
Lionesse said unto Sir Gareth: Sir, I will lend you a ring, but I would
pray you as you love me heartily let me have it again when the tournament
is done, for that ring increaseth my beauty much more than it is of
himself. And the virtue of my ring is that, that is green it will turn to
red, and that is red it will turn in likeness to green, and that is blue
it will turn to likeness of white, and that is white it will turn in
likeness to blue, and so it will do of all manner of colours. Also who
that beareth my ring shall lose no blood, and for great love I will give
you this ring. Gramercy, said Sir Gareth, mine own lady, for this ring is
passing meet for me, for it will turn all manner of likeness that I am in,
and that shall cause me that I shall not be known. Then Sir Gringamore
gave Sir Gareth a bay courser that was a passing good horse; also he gave
him good armour and sure, and a noble sword that sometime Sir Gringamore's
father won upon an heathen tyrant. And so thus every knight made him ready
to that tournament. And King Arthur was come two days to-fore the
Assumption of our Lady. And there was all manner of royalty of all
minstrelsy that might be found. Also there came Queen Guenever and the
Queen of Orkney, Sir Gareth's mother.</p>
<p>And upon the Assumption Day, when mass and matins were done, there were
heralds with trumpets commanded to blow to the field. And so there came
out Sir Epinogrus, the king's son of Northumberland, from the castle, and
there encountered with him Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and either of them
brake their spears to their hands. And then came in Sir Palamides out of
the castle, and there encountered with him Gawaine, and either of them
smote other so hard that both the good knights and their horses fell to
the earth. And then knights of either party rescued their knights. And
then came in Sir Safere and Sir Segwarides, brethren to Sir Palamides; and
there encountered Sir Agravaine with Sir Safere and Sir Gaheris
encountered with Sir Segwarides. So Sir Safere smote down Agravaine, Sir
Gawaine's brother; and Sir Segwarides, Sir Safere's brother. And Sir
Malegrine, a knight of the castle, encountered with Sir Uwaine le
Blanchemains, and there Sir Uwaine gave Sir Malegrine a fall, that he had
almost broke his neck.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXVIII. How the knights bare them in the battle. </h2>
<p>THEN Sir Brian de les Isles and Grummore Grummursum, knights of the
castle, encountered with Sir Aglovale, and Sir Tor smote down Sir Grummore
Grummursum to the earth. Then came in Sir Carados of the dolorous tower,
and Sir Turquine, knights of the castle; and there encountered with them
Sir Percivale de Galis and Sir Lamorak de Galis, that were two brethren.
And there encountered Sir Percivale with Sir Carados, and either brake
their spears unto their hands, and then Sir Turquine with Sir Lamorak, and
either of them smote down other's horse and all to the earth, and either
parties rescued other, and horsed them again. And Sir Arnold and Sir
Gauter, knights of the castle, encountered with Sir Brandiles and Sir Kay,
and these four knights encountered mightily, and brake their spears to
their hands. Then came in Sir Tristram, Sir Sadok, and Sir Dinas, knights
of the castle, and there encountered Sir Tristram with Sir Bedivere, and
there Sir Bedivere was smitten to the earth both horse and man. And Sir
Sadok encountered with Sir Petipase, and there Sir Sadok was overthrown.
And there Uwaine les Avoutres smote down Sir Dinas, the Seneschal. Then
came in Sir Persant of Inde, a knight of the castle, and there encountered
with him Sir Launcelot du Lake, and there he smote Sir Persant, horse and
man, to the earth. Then came Sir Pertolepe from the castle, and there
encountered with him Sir Lionel, and there Sir Pertolepe, the Green
Knight, smote down Sir Lionel, brother to Sir Launcelot. All this was
marked by noble heralds, who bare him best, and their names.</p>
<p>And then came into the field Sir Perimones, the Red Knight, Sir Persant's
brother, that was a knight of the castle, and he encountered with Sir
Ector de Maris, and either smote other so hard that both their horses and
they fell to the earth. And then came in the Red Knight of the Red Launds,
and Sir Gareth, from the castle, and there encountered with them Sir Bors
de Ganis and Sir Bleoberis, and there the Red Knight and Sir Bors [either]
smote other so hard that their spears brast, and their horses fell
grovelling to the earth. Then Sir Bleoberis brake his spear upon Sir
Gareth, but of that stroke Sir Bleoberis fell to the earth. When Sir
Galihodin saw that he bade Sir Gareth keep him, and Sir Gareth smote him
to the earth. Then Sir Galihud gat a spear to avenge his brother, and in
the same wise Sir Gareth served him, and Sir Dinadan and his brother, La
Cote Male Taile, and Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and Sir Dodinas le Savage.
All these he bare down with one spear.</p>
<p>When King Agwisance of Ireland saw Sir Gareth fare so, he marvelled what
he might be that one time seemed green, and another time, at his again
coming, he seemed blue. And thus at every course that he rode to and fro
he changed his colour, so that there might neither king nor knight have
ready cognisance of him. Then Sir Agwisance, the King of Ireland,
encountered with Sir Gareth, and there Sir Gareth smote him from his
horse, saddle and all. And then came King Carados of Scotland, and Sir
Gareth smote him down horse and man. And in the same wise he served King
Uriens of the land of Gore. And then came in Sir Bagdemagus, and Sir
Gareth smote him down, horse and man, to the earth. And Bagdemagus' son,
Meliganus, brake a spear upon Sir Gareth mightily and knightly. And then
Sir Galahault, the noble prince, cried on high: Knight with the many
colours, well hast thou jousted; now make thee ready that I may joust with
thee. Sir Gareth heard him, and he gat a great spear, and so they
encountered together, and there the prince brake his spear; but Sir Gareth
smote him upon the left side of the helm that he reeled here and there,
and he had fallen down had not his men recovered him.</p>
<p>So God me help, said King Arthur, that same knight with the many colours
is a good knight. Wherefore the king called unto him Sir Launcelot, and
prayed him to encounter with that knight. Sir, said Launcelot, I may well
find in my heart for to forbear him as at this time, for he hath had
travail enough this day; and when a good knight doth so well upon some
day, it is no good knight's part to let him of his worship, and namely,
when he seeth a knight hath done so great labour; for peradventure, said
Sir Launcelot, his quarrel is here this day, and peradventure he is best
beloved with this lady of all that be here; for I see well he paineth him
and enforceth him to do great deeds, and therefore, said Sir Launcelot, as
for me, this day he shall have the honour; though it lay in my power to
put him from it I would not.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0148" id="link2HCH0148"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XXIX. Yet of the said tournament. </h2>
<p>THEN when this was done there was drawing of swords, and then there began
a sore tournament. And there did Sir Lamorak marvellous deeds of arms; and
betwixt Sir Lamorak and Sir Ironside, that was the Red Knight of the Red
Launds, there was strong battle; and betwixt Sir Palamides and Bleoberis
there was a strong battle; and Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram met, and there
Sir Gawaine had the worse, for he pulled Sir Gawaine from his horse, and
there he was long upon foot, and defouled. Then came in Sir Launcelot, and
he smote Sir Turquine, and he him; and then came Sir Carados his brother,
and both at once they assailed him, and he as the most noblest knight of
the world worshipfully fought with them both, that all men wondered of the
noblesse of Sir Launcelot. And then came in Sir Gareth, and knew that it
was Sir Launcelot that fought with the two perilous knights. And then Sir
Gareth came with his good horse and hurtled them in-sunder, and no stroke
would he smite to Sir Launcelot. That espied Sir Launcelot, and deemed it
should be the good knight Sir Gareth: and then Sir Gareth rode here and
there, and smote on the right hand and on the left hand, and all the folk
might well espy where that he rode. And by fortune he met with his brother
Sir Gawaine, and there he put Sir Gawaine to the worse, for he put off his
helm, and so he served five or six knights of the Round Table, that all
men said he put him in the most pain, and best he did his devoir. For when
Sir Tristram beheld him how he first jousted and after fought so well with
a sword, then he rode unto Sir Ironside and to Sir Persant of Inde, and
asked them, by their faith, What manner a knight is yonder knight that
seemeth in so many divers colours? Truly, meseemeth, said Tristram, that
he putteth himself in great pain, for he never ceaseth. Wot ye not what he
is? said Sir Ironside. No, said Sir Tristram. Then shall ye know that this
is he that loveth the lady of the castle, and she him again; and this is
he that won me when I besieged the lady of this castle, and this is he
that won Sir Persant of Inde, and his three brethren. What is his name,
said Sir Tristram, and of what blood is he come? He was called in the
court of King Arthur, Beaumains, but his right name is Sir Gareth of
Orkney, brother to Sir Gawaine. By my head, said Sir Tristram, he is a
good knight, and a big man of arms, and if he be young he shall prove a
full noble knight. He is but a child, they all said, and of Sir Launcelot
he was made knight. Therefore he is mickle the better, said Tristram. And
then Sir Tristram, Sir Ironside, Sir Persant, and his brother, rode
together for to help Sir Gareth; and then there were given many strong
strokes.</p>
<p>And then Sir Gareth rode out on the one side to amend his helm; and then
said his dwarf: Take me your ring, that ye lose it not while that ye
drink. And so when he had drunk he gat on his helm, and eagerly took his
horse and rode into the field, and left his ring with his dwarf; and the
dwarf was glad the ring was from him, for then he wist well he should be
known. And then when Sir Gareth was in the field all folks saw him well
and plainly that he was in yellow colours; and there he rased off helms
and pulled down knights, that King Arthur had marvel what knight he was,
for the king saw by his hair that it was the same knight.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXX. How Sir Gareth was espied by the heralds, and how he escaped out of the field. </h2>
<p>BUT before he was in so many colours, and now he is but in one colour;
that is yellow. Now go, said King Arthur unto divers heralds, and ride
about him, and espy what manner knight he is, for I have spered of many
knights this day that be upon his party, and all say they know him not.
And so an herald rode nigh Gareth as he could; and there he saw written
about his helm in gold, This helm is Sir Gareth of Orkney. Then the herald
cried as he were wood, and many heralds with him:—This is Sir Gareth
of Orkney in the yellow arms; wherby[*4] all kings and knights of Arthur's
beheld him and awaited; and then they pressed all to behold him, and ever
the heralds cried: This is Sir Gareth of Orkney, King Lot's son. And when
Sir Gareth espied that he was discovered, then he doubled his strokes, and
smote down Sir Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawaine. O brother, said Sir
Gawaine, I weened ye would not have stricken me.</p>
<p>[*4] So W. de Worde; Caxton "that by."</p>
<p>So when he heard him say so he thrang here and there, and so with great
pain he gat out of the press, and there he met with his dwarf. O boy, said
Sir Gareth, thou hast beguiled me foul this day that thou kept my ring;
give it me anon again, that I may hide my body withal; and so he took it
him. And then they all wist not where he was become; and Sir Gawaine had
in manner espied where Sir Gareth rode, and then he rode after with all
his might. That espied Sir Gareth, and rode lightly into the forest, that
Sir Gawaine wist not where he was become. And when Sir Gareth wist that
Sir Gawaine was passed, he asked the dwarf of best counsel. Sir, said the
dwarf, meseemeth it were best, now that ye are escaped from spying, that
ye send my lady Dame Lionesse her ring. It is well advised, said Sir
Gareth; now have it here and bear it to her, and say that I recommend me
unto her good grace, and say her I will come when I may, and I pray her to
be true and faithful to me as I will be to her. Sir, said the dwarf, it
shall be done as ye command: and so he rode his way, and did his errand
unto the lady. Then she said, Where is my knight, Sir Gareth? Madam, said
the dwarf, he bade me say that he would not be long from you. And so
lightly the dwarf came again unto Sir Gareth, that would full fain have
had a lodging, for he had need to be reposed. And then fell there a
thunder and a rain, as heaven and earth should go together. And Sir Gareth
was not a little weary, for of all that day he had but little rest,
neither his horse nor he. So this Sir Gareth rode so long in that forest
until the night came. And ever it lightened and thundered, as it had been
wood. At the last by fortune he came to a castle, and there he heard the
waits upon the walls.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXI. How Sir Gareth came to a castle where he was well lodged, and he jousted with a knight and slew him. </h2>
<p>THEN Sir Gareth rode unto the barbican of the castle, and prayed the
porter fair to let him into the castle. The porter answered ungoodly
again, and said, Thou gettest no lodging here. Fair sir, say not so, for I
am a knight of King Arthur's, and pray the lord or the lady of this castle
to give me harbour for the love of King Arthur. Then the porter went unto
the duchess, and told her how there was a knight of King Arthur's would
have harbour. Let him in, said the duchess, for I will see that knight,
and for King Arthur's sake he shall not be harbourless. Then she yode up
into a tower over the gate, with great torchlight.</p>
<p>When Sir Gareth saw that torch-light he cried on high: Whether thou be
lord or lady, giant or champion, I take no force so that I may have
harbour this night; and if it so be that I must needs fight, spare me not
to-morn when I have rested me, for both I and mine horse be weary. Sir
knight, said the lady, thou speakest knightly and boldly; but wit thou
well the lord of this castle loveth not King Arthur, nor none of his
court, for my lord hath ever been against him; and therefore thou were
better not to come within this castle; for an thou come in this night,
thou must come in under such form, that wheresomever thou meet my lord, by
stigh or by street, thou must yield thee to him as prisoner. Madam, said
Sir Gareth, what is your lord, and what is his name? Sir, my lord's name
is the Duke de la Rowse. Well madam, said Sir Gareth, I shall promise you
in what place I meet your lord I shall yield me unto him and to his good
grace; with that I understand he will do me no harm: and if I understand
that he will, I will release myself an I can with my spear and my sword.
Ye say well, said the duchess; and then she let the drawbridge down, and
so he rode into the hall, and there he alighted, and his horse was led
into a stable; and in the hall he unarmed him and said, Madam, I will not
out of this hall this night; and when it is daylight, let see who will
have ado with me, he shall find me ready. Then was he set unto supper, and
had many good dishes. Then Sir Gareth list well to eat, and knightly he
ate his meat, and eagerly; there was many a fair lady by him, and some
said they never saw a goodlier man nor so well of eating. Then they made
him passing good cheer, and shortly when he had supped his bed was made
there; so he rested him all night.</p>
<p>And on the morn he heard mass, and brake his fast and took his leave at
the duchess, and at them all; and thanked her goodly of her lodging, and
of his good cheer; and then she asked him his name. Madam, he said, truly
my name is Gareth of Orkney, and some men call me Beaumains. Then knew she
well it was the same knight that fought for Dame Lionesse. So Sir Gareth
departed and rode up into a mountain, and there met him a knight, his name
was Sir Bendelaine, and said to Sir Gareth: Thou shalt not pass this way,
for either thou shalt joust with me, or else be my prisoner. Then will I
joust, said Sir Gareth. And so they let their horses run, and there Sir
Gareth smote him throughout the body; and Sir Bendelaine rode forth to his
castle there beside, and there died. So Sir Gareth would have rested him,
and he came riding to Bendelaine's castle. Then his knights and servants
espied that it was he that had slain their lord. Then they armed twenty
good men, and came out and assailed Sir Gareth; and so he had no spear,
but his sword, and put his shield afore him; and there they brake their
spears upon him, and they assailed him passingly sore. But ever Sir Gareth
defended him as a knight.</p>
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