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 EARLIEST MANUSCRIPT 
 
 FRAGMENTARY 
 
 13 CENTURY 
 
 .rf^frfr/r^a^
 
 THE 
 
 TEMPLE 
 
 CLASSICS 
 
 Edited by 
 
 ISRAEL 
 GOLLANCZ 
 
 M.A.
 
 PCS 1 
 
 THE HIGH 
 HISTORY 9* 
 the HOLY 
 
 GRAAL 
 
 TRANSLATED 
 FROM THE 
 FRENCH 2X 
 SEBASTIAN 
 EVANS ^l 
 
 VOL. ONE 
 
 L $P 
 
 MDCCCXCVIIlPUBLlSHeD BY* tJ-M-DeWT- 
 
 aw -co: AL2>me- House- London '-c*
 
 
 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 
 
 BRANCH I 
 
 INCIPIT 
 
 HEAR ye the history of the most holy The 
 vessel that is called Graal, wherein the Book 
 precious blood of the Saviour was received on J* "*e 
 the day that He was put on rood and crucified 
 in order that He might redeem His people from 
 the pains of hell. Josephus set it in remem- 
 brance by annunciation of the voice of an angel, 
 for that the truth might be known by his writing 
 of good knights and good worshipful men how 
 they were willing to suffer pain and to travail 
 for the setting forward of the Law of Jesus 
 Christ, that He willed to make new by His 
 death and by His crucifixion. 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 The High Book of the Graal begmneth in 
 the name of the Father and of the Son and of 
 the Holy Ghost. These three Persons are one 
 substance, which is God, and of God moveth 
 the High Story of the Graal. And all they 
 that hear it ought to understand it, and to for- 
 
 vol. I. A
 
 6 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Sir get all the wickednesses that they have in their 
 Perceval's hearts. For right profitable shall it be to all 
 good t hem that shall hear it of the heart. For the 
 sake of the worshipful men and good knights of 
 whose deeds shall remembrance be made, doth 
 Josephus recount this holy history, for the sake 
 of the lineage of the Good Knight that was 
 after the crucifixion of Our Lord. Good 
 Knight was he without fail, for he was chaste 
 and virgin of his body and hardy of heart and 
 puissant, and so were his conditions without 
 wickedness. Not boastful was he of speech, 
 and it seemed not by his cheer that he had so 
 great courage ; Natheless, of one little word that 
 he delayed to speak came to pass so sore mis- 
 chances in Greater Britain, that all the islands 
 and all the lands fell thereby into much sorrow, 
 albeit thereafter he put them back into gladness 
 by the authority of his good knighthood. Good 
 knight was he of right, for he was of the lineage 
 of Joseph of Abarimacie. And this Joseph 
 was his mother's uncle, that had been a soldier 
 of Pilate's seven years, nor asked he of him 
 none other guerdon of his service but only to 
 take down the body of Our Saviour from 
 hanging on the cross. The boon him seemed 
 full great when it was granted him, and full 
 little to Pilate seemed the guerdon ; for right 
 well had Joseph served him, and had he asked 
 to have gold or land thereof, willingly would 
 he have given it to him. And for this did 
 Pilate make him a gift of the Saviour's body, 
 for he supposed that Joseph should have 
 dragged the same shamefully through the city
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 7 
 
 of Jerusalem when it had been taken down Sir 
 
 from the cross, and should have left it without Perceval's 
 
 the city in some mean place. But the Good ^dred 
 
 Soldier had no mind thereto, but rather 
 
 honoured the body the most he might, rather 
 
 laid it along in the Holy Sepulchre and kept 
 
 safe the lance whereof He was smitten in the 
 
 side and the most Holy Vessel wherein they 
 
 that believed on Him received with awe the 
 
 blood that ran down from His wounds when 
 
 He was set upon the rood. Of this lineage 
 
 was the Good Knight for whose sake is this 
 
 High History treated. Yglais was his mother's 
 
 name : King Fisherman was his uncle, and the 
 
 King of the Lower Folk that was named 
 
 Pelles, and the King that was named of the 
 
 Castle Mortal, in whom was there as much bad 
 
 as there was good in the other twain, and much 
 
 good was there in them ; and these three were 
 
 his uncles on the side of his mother Yglais, that 
 
 was a right good Lady and a loyal ; and the 
 
 Good Knight had one sister, that hight Din- 
 
 drane. He that was head of the lineage on 
 
 his father's side was named Nichodemus. Gais 
 
 li Gros of the Hermit's Cross was father of 
 
 Alain li Gros. This Alain had eleven brethren, 
 
 right good knights, like as he was himself. 
 
 And none of them all lived in his knighthood 
 
 but twelve years, and they all died in arms, for 
 
 their great hardiment in setting forward of the 
 
 Law that was made new. There were twelve 
 
 brethren. Alain li Gros was the eldest ; 
 
 Gorgalians was next ; Bruns Brandalis was 
 
 the third ; Bertholez li Chauz the fourth ;
 
 8 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 King Brandalus of Wales was the fifth ; Elinant of 
 Arthur's Escavalon was the sixth ; Calobrutus was the 
 
 court 8eventn . Meralis of the Palace Meadow was 
 the eighth ; Fortunes of the Red Launde was 
 ninth ; Melaarmaus of Abanie was the tenth ; 
 Galians of the White Tower the eleventh ; 
 Alibans of the Waste City was the twelfth. 
 All these died in arms in the service of the 
 Holy Prophet that had renewed the Law by 
 His death, and smote His enemies to the utter- 
 most of their power. Of these two manner of 
 folk, whose names and records you have heard, 
 Josephus the good clerk telleth us was come 
 the Good Knight of whom you shall well hear 
 the name and the manner presently. 
 
 II 
 
 The authority of the scripture telleth us that 
 after the crucifixion of Our Lord, no earthly 
 King set forward the Law of Jesus Christ so 
 much as did King Arthur of Britain, both by 
 himself and by the good knights that made 
 repair to his court. Good King Arthur after 
 the crucifixion of Our Lord, was such as I tell 
 you, and was a puissant King, and one that well 
 believed in God, and many were the good 
 adventures that befel at his court. And he had 
 in his court the Table Round that was garnished 
 of the best knights in the world. King Arthur 
 after the death of his father led the highest life 
 and most gracious that ever king led, in such 
 sort that all the princes and all the barons took 
 example of him in well-doing. For ten years 
 was King Arthur in such estate as I have told
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 9 
 
 you, nor never was earthly king so praised as he, The 
 until that a slothful will came upon him and he King 
 began to lose the pleasure in doing largess that ^T a f Lr j 
 he wont to have, nor was he minded to hold 
 court neither at Christmas-tide nor at Easter nor 
 at Pentecost. The knights of the Table Round 
 when they saw his well-doing wax slack departed 
 thence and began to hold aloof from his court, 
 insomuch as that of three hundred and three- 
 score and six knights that he wont to have of 
 his household, there were now not more than a 
 five-and-twenty at most, nor did no adventure 
 befal any more at his court. All the other 
 princes had slackened of their well-doing for 
 that they saw King Arthur maintain so feebly. 
 Queen Guenievre was so sorrowful thereof that 
 she knew not what counsel to take with herself, 
 nor how she might so deal as to amend matters 
 so God amended them not. From this time 
 beginneth the history. 
 
 ill 
 
 It was one Ascension Day that the King was 
 at Cardoil. He was risen from meat and went 
 through the hall from one end to the other, and 
 looked and saw the Queen that was seated at a 
 window. The King went to sit beside her, and 
 looked at her in the face and saw that the tears 
 were falling from her eyes. < Lady,' saith the 
 King, ' What aileth you, and wherefore do you 
 weep ? ' ' Sir,' saith she, * And I weep, good 
 right have I ; and you yourself have little right 
 to make joy.' ' Certes, Lady, I do not.' Sir,' 
 saith she, * You are right. I have seen on this
 
 io THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The high day, or on other days that were not less 
 Queen high than this, when you have had such throng 
 givetn Q k^gf^ a t your court that right uneath might 
 any number them. Now every day are so 
 few therein that much shame have I thereof, 
 nor no more do no adventures befal therein. 
 Wherefore great fear have I lest God hath put 
 you into forgetfulness.' * Certes, Lady,' saith 
 the King, ' No will have I to do largesse nor 
 aught that turneth to honour. Rather is my 
 desire changed into feebleness of heart. And 
 by this know I well that I lose my knights and 
 the love of my friends.' ' Sir,' saith the Queen, 
 * And were you to go to the chapel of S. 
 Augustine that is in the White Forest, that may 
 not be found save by adventure only, methinketh 
 that on your back-repair you would again have 
 your desire of well-doing, for never yet did 
 none discounselled ask counsel of God but He 
 would give it for love of him so he asked it of a 
 good heart.' 'Lady,' saith the King, 'And 
 willingly will I go, forasmuch as that you say 
 have I heard well witnessed in many places 
 where I have been.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' The 
 place is right perilous and the chapel right 
 adventurous. But the most worshipful hermit 
 that is in the Kingdom of Wales hath his 
 dwelling beside the chapel, nor liveth he now 
 any longer for nought save only the glory 
 of God.' ' Lady,' saith the King, ' It will 
 behove me go thither all armed and without 
 knights.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' You may well take 
 with you one knight and a squire.' ' Lady,' 
 saith the King, ' That durst not I, for the place
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL n 
 
 is perilous, and the more folk one should take Of Chaus 
 thither, the fewer adventures there should he tne squire 
 find.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' One squire shall you 
 take by my approval, nor shall nought betide 
 you thereof save good only, please God ! ' 
 < Lady,' saith the King, 'At your pleasure be it, 
 but much dread I that nought shall come of it 
 save evil only.' Thereupon the King riseth up 
 from beside the Queen, and looketh before him 
 and seeth a youth tall and strong and comely 
 and young, that was hight Chaus, and he was 
 the son of Ywain li Aoutres. ' Lady,' saith he 
 to the Queen, 'This one will I take with me 
 and you approve.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' It pleaseth 
 me well, for I have heard much witness to his 
 valour.' The King calleth the squire, and he 
 cometh and kneeleth down before him. The 
 King maketh him rise and saith to him, ' Chaus,' 
 saith he, ' You shall lie within to-night, in this 
 hall, and take heed that my horse be saddled at 
 break of day and my arms ready. For I would 
 be moving at the time I tell you, and yourself 
 with me without more company.' 'Sir,' saith 
 the squire, ' At your pleasure.' And the even- 
 ing drew on, and the King and Queen go to 
 bed. When they had eaten in hall, the knights 
 went to their hostels. The squire remained in 
 the hall, but he would not do off his clothes nor 
 his shoon, for the night seemed him to be too 
 short, and for that he would fain be ready in 
 the morning at the King's commandment. The 
 squire was lying down in such sort as I have 
 told you, and in the first sleep that he slept, 
 seemed him the King had gone without him.
 
 i2 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The The squire was sore scared thereat, and came 
 squire to his hackney and set the saddle and bridle 
 . ^ upon him, and did on his spurs and girt on his 
 sword, as it seemed him in his sleep, and issued 
 forth of the castle a great pace after the King. 
 And when he had ridden a long space he 
 entered into a great forest and looked in the 
 way before him and saw the slot of the King's 
 horse and followed the track a long space, until 
 that he came to a launde of the forest whereat 
 he thought that the King had alighted. The 
 squire thought that the hoof-marks on the way 
 had come to an end, and so thought that the 
 King had alighted there or hard by there. He 
 looketh to the right hand and seeth a chapel 
 in the midst of the launde, and he seeth about 
 it a great graveyard wherein were many coffins, 
 as it seemed him. He thought in his heart 
 that he would go toward the chapel, for he sup- 
 posed that the King would have entered to pray 
 there. He went thitherward and alighted. 
 When the squire was alighted, he tied up his 
 hackney and entered into the chapel. None 
 did he see there in one part nor another, save a 
 knight that lay dead in the midst of the chapel 
 upon a bier, and he was covered of a rich cloth 
 of silk, and had around him waxen tapers burn- 
 ing that were fixed in four candlesticks of gold. 
 This squire marvelled much how this body was 
 left there so lonely, insomuch that none were 
 about him save only the images, and yet more 
 marvelled he of the King that he found him not, 
 for he knew not in what part to seek him. He 
 taketh out one of the tall tapers, and layeth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 13 
 
 hand on the golden candlestick, and setteth it The 
 betwixt his hose and his thigh and issueth forth stolen 
 of the chapel, and remounteth on his hackney c * n Ie " 
 and goeth his way back and passeth beyond the 
 grave-yard and issueth forth of the launde and 
 entereth into the forest and thinketh that he will 
 not cease until he hath found the King. 
 
 IV 
 
 So, as he entereth into a grassy lane in the 
 wood, he seeth come before him a man black 
 and foul-favoured, and he was somewhat taller 
 afoot than was himself a-horseback. And he 
 held a great sharp knife in his hand with two 
 edges as it seemed him. The squire cometh 
 Dver against him a great pace and saith to 
 him, * You, that come there, have you met 
 King Arthur in this forest ? ' 'In no wise,' 
 saith the messenger, But you have I met, 
 whereof am I right glad at heart, for you have 
 departed from the chapel as a thief and a traitor. 
 For you are carrying off thence the candlestick 
 of gold that was in honour of the knight that 
 lieth in the chapel dead. Wherefore I will 
 that you yield it up to me and so will I carry it 
 back, otherwise, and you do not this, you do I 
 defy ! ' ' By my faith,' saith the squire, ' Never 
 will I yield it you! rather will I carry it off 
 and make a present thereof to King Arthur.' 
 * By my faith,' saith the other, ' Right dearly 
 shall you pay for it, and you yield it not up 
 forthwith.' Howbeit, the squire smiteth with 
 his spurs and thinketh to pass him by, but the 
 other hasteth him, and smiteth the squire in the
 
 i 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The left side with the knife and thrusteth it into his 
 dream body up to the haft. The squire, that lay in 
 0n ?rue the hall at Cardoil, and had dreamed this, awoke 
 and cried in a loud voice : Holy Mary ! The 
 priest ! Help ! Help, for I am a dead man ! ' 
 The King and the Queen heard the cry, and 
 the chamberlain leapt up and said to the King : 
 
 * Sir, you may well be moving, for it is day ! ' 
 The King made him be clad and shod. AnoV 
 the squire crieth with such strength as he hath : 
 
 * Fetch me the priest, for I die ! ' The King 
 goeth thither as fast as he may, and the Queen 
 and the chamberlain carry great torches and 
 candles. The King asketh him what aileth 
 him, and he telleth him all in such wise as he 
 had dreamed it. ' Ha,' saith the King, ' Is it 
 then a dream ? ' ' Yea, sir,' saith he, ' But a 
 right foul dream it is for me, for right foully 
 hath it come true ! ' He lifted his left arm. 
 
 * Sir,' saith he, ' Look you there ! Lo, here 
 is the knife that was run into my side up to the 
 haft ! ' After that, he setteth his hand to his 
 hose where the candlestick was. He draweth 
 it forth and showeth it to the King. ' Sir,' saith 
 he, ' For this candlestick that I present to you, 
 am I wounded to the death ! ' The King 
 taketh the candlestick and looketh thereat in 
 wonderment for none so rich had he never seen 
 tofore. The King showeth it to the Queen. 
 ' Sir,' saith the squire, ' Draw not forth the 
 knife of my body until that I be shriven.' The 
 King sent for one of his own chaplains that 
 made the squire confess and do his houselling 
 right well. The King himself draweth forth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 15 
 
 the knife of the body, and the soul departed King 
 forthwith. The King made do his service Arthur 
 right richly and his shrouding and burial, f^i. 
 Ywain li Aoutres that was father to the squire 
 was right sorrowful of the death of his son. 
 King Arthur, with the approval of Ywain his 
 father, gave the candlestick to S. Paul in Lon- 
 don, for the church was newly founded, and 
 the King wished that this marvellous adventure 
 should everywhere be known, and that prayer 
 should be made in the church for the soul of 
 the squire that was slain on account of the 
 candlestick. 
 
 King Arthur armed himself in the morning, 
 as I told you and began to tell, to go to the 
 chapel of S. Augustine. Said the Queen to 
 him : ' Whom will you take with you ? ' 
 'Lady,' saith he, 'No company will I have 
 thither, save God only, for well may you under- 
 stand by this adventure that hath befallen, that 
 God will not allow I should have none with 
 me.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' God be guard of your 
 body, and grant you return safely so as that you 
 may have the will to do well, whereby shall 
 your praise be lifted up that is now sore cast 
 down.' ' Lady,' saith he, ' May God remem- 
 ber it.' His destrier was brought to the 
 mounting-stage, and the King mounted thereon 
 all armed. Messire Ywain li Aoutres lent him 
 his shield and spear. When the King had 
 hung the shield at his neck and held the spear 
 in his hand, sword-girt, on the tall destrier
 
 16 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 King armed, well seemed he in the make of his body 
 Arthur an( j j n hi 8 bearing to be a knight of great pith 
 chanel an< ^ hardiment. He planteth himself so stiffly 
 in the stirrups that he maketh the saddlebows 
 creak again and the destrier stagger under him 
 that was right stout and swift, and he smiteth 
 him of his spurs, and the horse maketh answer 
 with a great leap. The Queen was at the win- 
 dows of the hall, and as many as five-and- 
 twenty knights were all come to the mounting- 
 stage. When the King departed, ' Lords,' 
 saith the Queen, ' How seemeth you of the 
 King ? Seemeth he not a goodly man ? ' ' Yea, 
 certes, Lady, and sore loss is it to the world 
 that he followeth not out his good beginning, 
 for no king nor prince is known better learned 
 of all courtesy nor of all largesse than he, so he 
 would do like as he was wont.' With that the 
 knights hold their peace, and King Arthur 
 goeth away a great pace. And he entereth into 
 a great forest adventurous, and rideth the day 
 long until he cometh about evensong into the 
 thick of the forest. And he espied a little 
 house beside a little chapel, and it well seemed 
 him to be a hermitage. King Arthur rode 
 thitherward and alighteth before this little house, 
 and entereth thereinto and draweth his horse 
 after him, that had much pains to enter in at 
 the door, and laid his spear down on the 
 ground and leant his shield against the wall, 
 and hath ungirded his sword and unlaced his 
 ventail. He looked before him and saw barley 
 and provender, and so led his horse thither and 
 took off his bridle, and afterwards hath shut
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 17 
 
 the door of the little house and locked it. And A strife 
 it seemed him that there was a strife in the in the 
 chapel. The ones were weeping so tenderly cha P el 
 and sweetly as it were angels, and the other 
 spake so harshly as it were fiends. The King 
 heard such voices in the chapel and marvelled 
 much what it might be. He findeth a door in 
 the little house that openeth on a little cloister 
 whereby one goeth to the chapel. The King 
 is gone thither and entereth into the little min- 
 ster, and looketh everywhere but seeth nought 
 there, save the images and the crucifixes. And 
 he supposeth not that the strife of these voices 
 cometh of them. The voices ceased as soon 
 as he was within. He marvelleth how it came 
 that this house and hermitage were solitary, and 
 what had become of the hermit that dwelt there- 
 in. He drew nigh the altar of the chapel and 
 beheld in front thereof a coffin all discovered, 
 and he saw the hermit lying therein all clad in 
 his vestments, and seeth the long beard down to 
 his girdle, and his hands crossed upon his breast. 
 There was a cross above him, whereof the 
 image came as far as his mouth, and he had 
 life in him yet, but he was nigh his end, being 
 at the point of death. The King was before 
 the coffin a long space, and looked right fainly 
 on the hermit, for well it seemed him that he 
 had been of a good life. The night was fully 
 come, but within was a brightness of light as if 
 a score of candles were lighted. He had a 
 mind to abide there until that the good man 
 should have passed away. He would fain have 
 sate him down before the coffin, when a voice
 
 18 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Our warned him right horribly to begone thence, 
 Lady for that it was desired to make a judgment with- 
 i^ 1 * m t ^ iere ^ at m ight not be made so long as he 
 were there. The King departed, that would 
 willingly have remained there, and so returned 
 back into the little house, and sate him down 
 on a seat whereon the hermit wont to sit. And 
 he heareth the strife and the noise begin again 
 within the chapel, and the ones he heareth 
 speaking high and the others low, and he know- 
 eth well by the voices, that the ones are angels 
 and the others devils. And he heareth that the 
 devils are distraining on the hermit's soul, and 
 that judgment will presently be given in their 
 favour, whereof make they great joy. King 
 Arthur is grieved in his heart when he heareth 
 that the angels' voices are stilled. The King 
 is so heavy, that no desire hath he neither to 
 eat nor to drink. And while he sitteth thus, 
 stooping his head toward the ground, full of 
 vexation and discontent, he heareth in the 
 chapel the voice of a Lady that spake so sweet 
 and clear, that no man in this earthly world, 
 were his grief and heaviness never so sore, but 
 and he had heard the sweet voice of her plead- 
 ing would again have been in joy. She saith 
 to the devils : ' Begone from hence, for no right 
 have ye over the soul of this good man, what- 
 soever he may have done aforetime, for in my 
 Son's service and mine own is he taken, and 
 his penance hath he done in this hermitage of 
 the sins that he hath done.' ' True, Lady,' 
 say the devils, * But longer had he served us 
 than he hath served you and your Son. For
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 19 
 
 forty years or more hath he been a murderer The 
 and robber in this forest, whereas in this hermit- Permit 
 age but five years hath he been. And now lxtus 
 you wish to thieve him from us.' ' I do not. 
 No wish have I to take him from you by theft, 
 for had he been taken in your service in such- 
 wise as he hath been taken in mine, yours would 
 he have been, all quit.' The devils go their 
 way all discomfit and aggrieved ; and the sweet 
 Mother of our Lord God taketh the soul of 
 the hermit, that was departed of his body, and 
 so commendeth it to the angels and archangels 
 that they make present thereof to Her dear Son 
 in Paradise. And the angels take it and begin 
 to sing for joy Te Deum laudamus. And the 
 Holy Lady leadeth them and goeth her way 
 along with them. Josephus maketh remem- 
 brance of this history and telleth us that this 
 worthy man was named Calixtus. 
 
 King Arthur was in the little house beside 
 the chapel, and had heard the voice of the 
 sweet Mother of God and the angels. Great 
 joy had he, and was right glad of the good 
 man's soul that was borne thence into Paradise. 
 The King had slept right little the night and 
 was all armed. He saw the day break clear 
 and fair, and goeth his way toward the chapel 
 to cry God mercy, thinking to find the coffin 
 discovered there where the hermit lay ; but so 
 did he not ! Rather, was it covered of the 
 richest tomb-stone that any might ever see, 
 and had on the top a red cross, and seemed it
 
 zo THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The that the chapel was all incensed. When the 
 King King had made his orison therein, he cometh 
 me n back again and setteth on his bridle and saddle 
 and mounteth, and taketh his shield and spear 
 and departeth from the little house and entereth 
 into the forest and rideth a great pace, until 
 he cometh at right hour of tierce to one of the 
 fairest laundes that ever a man might see. And 
 he seeth at the entrance a paled bar, and looketh 
 to the right or ever he should enter therein, and 
 seeth a damsel sitting under a great leafy tree, 
 and she held the reins of her mule in her hand. 
 The damsel was of great beauty and full seemly 
 clad. The King turneth thitherward and so 
 saluteth her and saith : ' Damsel,' saith he, 
 ' God give you joy and good adventure.' ' Sir,' 
 saith she, ' So may He do to you ! ' ' Damsel,' 
 saith the King, * Is there no hold in this launde? ' 
 * Sir,' saith the damsel, ' No hold is there save 
 a most holy chapel and a hermit that is beside 
 S. Augustine's chapel.' ' Is this then S. 
 Augustine's chapel ? ' saith the King. ' Yea, 
 Sir, I tell it you for true, but the launde and 
 the forest about is so perilous that no knight 
 returneth thence but he be dead or wounded ; 
 but the place of the chapel is of so great 
 worthiness that none goeth thither, be he never 
 so discounselled, but he cometh back counselled, 
 so he may thence return on live. And Lord 
 God be guard of your body, for never yet saw 
 I none aforetime that seemed more like to 
 be good knight, and sore pity would it be and 
 you were not, and never more shall I depart 
 me hence and I shall have seen your end.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 21 
 
 'Damsel,' saith the King, 'Please God, you S. 
 shall see me repair back thence.' ' Certes,' Austin's 
 saith the damsel, ' Thereof should I be right cha P el 
 glad, for then should I ask you tidings at 
 leisure of him that I am seeking.' The King 
 goeth to the bar whereby one entereth into the 
 the launde, and looketh to the right into a 
 combe of the forest and seeth the chapel of 
 S. Augustine and the right fair hermitage. 
 Thitherward goeth he and alighteth, and it 
 seemeth him that the hermit is apparelled to 
 sing the mass. He reineth up his horse to the 
 bough of a tree by the side of the chapel and 
 thinketh to enter thereinto, but, had it been to 
 conquer all the kingdoms of the world, there- 
 into might he not enter, albeit there was none 
 made him denial thereof, for the door was open 
 and none saw he that might forbid him. Sore 
 ashamed is the King thereof. Howbeit, he 
 beholdeth an image of Our Lord that was there 
 within and crieth Him of mercy right sweetly, 
 and looketh toward the altar. And he looketh 
 at the holy hermit that was robed to sing mass 
 and said his Confiteor, and seeth at his right 
 hand the fairest Child that ever he had seen, 
 and He was clad in an alb and had a golden 
 crown on his head loaded with precious stones 
 that gave out a full great brightness of light. 
 On the left hand side, was a Lady so fair that 
 all the beauties of the world might not compare 
 them with her beauty. When the holy hermit 
 had said his Confiteor and went to the altar, the 
 Lady also took her Son and went to sit on the 
 right hand side towards the altar upon a right 
 vol. 1. B
 
 22 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The rich chair and set her Son upon her knees and 
 King began to kiss Him full sweetly and saith : 
 seeth a < gj r> > sa ^ she, ' You are my Father and my 
 Son and my Lord, and guardian of me and of 
 all the world.' King Arthur heareth the words 
 and seeth the beauty of the Lady and of the 
 Child, and marvelleth much of this that She 
 should call Him her Father and her Son. He 
 looketh at a window behind the altar and seeth 
 a flame come through at the very instant that 
 mass was begun, clearer than any ray of sun nor 
 moon nor star, and evermore it threw forth a 
 brightness of light such that and all the lights 
 in the world had been together it would not 
 have been the like. And it is come down 
 upon the altar. King Arthur seeth it who 
 marvelleth him much thereof. But sore it 
 irketh him of this that he may not enter there- 
 within, and he heareth, there where the holy 
 hermit was singing the mass, right fair responses, 
 and they seem him to be the responses of 
 angels. And when the Holy Gospel was read, 
 King Arthur looked toward the altar and saw 
 that the Lady took her Child and offered Him 
 into the hands of the holy hermit, but of this 
 King Arthur made much marvel, that the holy 
 hermit washed not his hands when he had 
 received the offering. Right sore did King 
 Arthur marvel him thereof, but little right 
 would he have had to marvel had he known 
 the reason. And when the Child was offered 
 him, he set Him upon the altar and thereafter 
 began his sacrament. And King Arthur set 
 him on his knees before the chapel and began
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 23 
 
 to pray to God and to beat his breast. And The 
 he looked toward the altar after the preface, and hermit 
 it seemed him that the holy hermit held between Sp >?^f- th 
 his hands a man bleeding from His side and in 
 His palms and in His feet, and crowned with 
 thorns, and he seeth Him in His own figure. 
 And when he had looked on Him so long and 
 knoweth not what is become of Him, the King 
 hath pity of Him in his heart of this that he 
 had seen, and the tears of his heart come into 
 his eyes. And he looketh toward the altar and 
 thinketh to see the figure of the man, and seeth 
 that it is changed into the shape of the Child 
 that he had seen tofore. 
 
 VII 
 
 When the mass was sung, the voice of a holy 
 angel said Ite, missa est. The Son took the 
 Mother by the hand, and they evanished forth 
 of the chapel with the greatest company and 
 the fairest that might ever be seen. The flame 
 that was come down through the window went 
 away with this company. When the hermit 
 had done his service and was divested of the 
 arms of God, he went to King Arthur that was 
 still without the chapel. ' Sir,' saith he to the 
 King, ' Now may you well enter herein and 
 well might you have been joyous in your heart 
 had you deserved so much as that you might 
 have come in at the beginning of the mass.' 
 King Arthur entered into the chapel without 
 any hindrance. ' Sir,' saith the hermit to the 
 King, I know you well, as did I also King
 
 24 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The Uther Pendragon your father. On account of 
 King y 0ur s [ ns an d your deserts might you not enter 
 willeth to J iere w h;i e mas8 wag being sung. Nor will you 
 to-morrow save you shall first have made amends 
 of that you have misdone towards God and to- 
 wards the saint that is worshipped herewithin. 
 For you are the richest King of the world and 
 the most adventurous, wherefore ought all the 
 world to take ensample of you in well-doing 
 and in largesse and in honour ; whereas you 
 are now an ensample of evil-doing to all rich 
 worshipful men that be now in the world. 
 Wherefore shall right sore mishap betide you 
 and you set not back your doing to the point 
 whereat you began. For your court was the 
 sovran of all courts and the most adventurous, 
 whereas now is it least of worth. Well may 
 he be sorry that goeth from honour to shame, 
 but never may he have reproach that shall do 
 him ill, that cometh from shame to honour, for 
 the honour wherein he is found rescueth him to 
 God, but blame may never rescue the man that 
 hath renounced honour for shame, for the shame 
 and wickedness wherein he is found declare him 
 guilty.' 
 
 VIII 
 
 ' Sir,' saith King Arthur, ' To amend me 
 have I come hither, and to be better counselled 
 than I have been. Well do I see that the 
 place is most holy, and I beseech you that you 
 pray God that He counsel me and I will do 
 my endeavour herein to amend me.' ' God 
 grant you may amend your life,' saith the holy
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 25 
 
 hermit, ' In such sort that you may help to do The 
 away the evil Law and to exalt the Law that ^ a . c ^ 
 is made new by the crucifixion of the Holy n1 ^ 
 Prophet. But a great sorrow is befallen in the 
 land of late through a young knight that was 
 harboured in the hostel of the rich King Fisher- 
 man, for that the most Holy Graal appeared to 
 him and the Lance whereof the point runneth 
 of blood, yet never asked he to whom was 
 served thereof nor whence it came, and for that 
 he asked it not are all the lands commoved to 
 war, nor no knight meeteth other in the forest 
 but he runneth upon him and slayeth him and 
 he may, and you yourself shall well perceive 
 thereof or ever you shall depart of this launde.' 
 ' Sir,' saith King Arthur, ' God defend me 
 from the anguish of an evil death and from 
 wickedness, for hither have I come for none 
 other thing but to amend my life, and this will 
 I do, so God bring me back in safety.' * Truly,' 
 saith the hermit, ' He that hath been bad for 
 three years out of forty, he hath not been 
 wholly good.' ' Sir,' saith the King, ' You 
 speak truth.' The hermit departeth and so 
 commendeth him to God. The King cometh 
 to his horse and mounteth the speediest that ever 
 he may, and setteth his shield on his neck, and 
 taketh his spear in his hand and turneth him 
 back a great pace. Howbeit, he had not gone 
 a bowshot's length when he saw a knight coming 
 disorderly against him, and he sate upon a great 
 black horse and he had a shield of the same and 
 a spear. And the spear was somewhat thick 
 near the point and burned with a great flame,
 
 26 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The foul and hideous, and the flame came down as 
 King f ar as ove r the knight's fist. He setteth his 
 
 J th S h s P ear ' n rest anc * ^"k^h t0 sn " te tne King, 
 but the King swerveth aside and the other 
 passeth beyond. ' Sir knight, wherefor hate 
 you me ? ' * Of right ought I not to love you,' 
 saith the knight. ' Wherefore ? ' saith the King. 
 ' For this, that you have had my brother's 
 candlestick that was foully stolen from him ! ' 
 
 * Know you then who I am ? ' saith the King. 
 
 * Yea,' saith the knight ; ' You are the King 
 Arthur that aforetime were good and now are 
 evil. Wherefore I defy you as my mortal 
 enemy.' He draweth him back so that his on- 
 set may be the weightier. The King seeth that 
 he may not depart without a stour. He setteth 
 his spear in rest when he seeth the other come 
 towards him with his own spear all burning. 
 The King smiteth his horse with his spurs as 
 hard as he may, and meeteth the knight with his 
 spear and the knight him. And they melled 
 together so stoutly that the spears bent without 
 breaking, and both twain are shifted in their 
 saddles and lose their stirrups. They hurtle so 
 strongly either against other of their bodies and 
 their horses that their eyes sparkle as of stars in 
 their heads and the blood rayeth out of King 
 Arthur by mouth and nose. Either draweth 
 away from other and they take their breath. 
 The King looketh at the Black Knight's spear 
 that burneth, and marvelleth him right sore that 
 it is not snapped in flinders of the great buffet 
 he had received thereof, and him thinketh 
 rather that it is a devil and a fiend. The Black
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 27 
 
 Knight is not minded to let King Arthur go so and 
 soon, but rather cometh toward him a great slayeth 
 career. The King seeth him come toward him im 
 and so covereth him of his shield for fear of the 
 flame. The King receiveth him on the point of 
 his spear and smiteth him with so sore a shock 
 that he maketh him bend backward over his 
 horse croup. The other, that was of great 
 might, leapeth back into the saddle-bows and 
 smiteth the King upon the boss of his shield so 
 that the burning point pierceth the shield and 
 the sleeve of his habergeon and runneth the 
 sharp iron into his arm. The King feeleth the 
 wound and the heat, whereof is he filled with 
 great wrath, and the knight draweth back his 
 spear to him, and hath great joy at heart when 
 he feeleth the King wounded. The King was 
 rejoiced not a whit, and looked at the spear that 
 was quenched thereof and burned no longer. 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight, * I cry you mercy. 
 Never would my spear have been quenched of 
 its burning, save it were bathed in your blood.' 
 'Now may never God help me,' saith King 
 Arthur, ' Whenever I shall have mercy on you, 
 and I may achieve ! ' He pricketh towards 
 him a great run, and smiteth him in the broad 
 of the breast and thrusteth his spear half an ell 
 into his body, and beareth him to the ground, 
 both him and his horse all in a heap, and draweth 
 his spear back to him and looketh at the knight 
 that lay as dead and leaveth him in the launde, 
 and draweth him towards the issue incontinent. 
 And so as the King went, he heard a great 
 clashing of knights coming right amidst the
 
 28 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The forest, so as it seemed there were a good score 
 damsel or m0 re of them, and he seeth them enter the 
 C a^3oon ^ aunc ^ e fr m tne fo^st, armed and well horsed. 
 And they come with great ado toward the 
 knight that lay dead in the midst of the launde. 
 King Arthur was about to issue forth, when the 
 damsel that he had left under the tree cometh 
 forward to meet him. ' Sir,' saith she, ' For 
 God's sake, return back and fetch me the head 
 of the knight that lieth there dead.' The King 
 looketh back, and seeth the great peril and the 
 multitude of knights that are there all armed. 
 * Ha, damsel,' saith he, 'You are minded to slay 
 me.' ' Certes, Sir, that I am not, but sore need 
 will there be that I should have it, nor never 
 did knight refuse to do the thing I asked nor 
 deny me any boon I demanded of him. Now 
 God grant you be not the most churlish.' ' Ha, 
 damsel, I am right sore wounded in the arm 
 whereon I hold my shield.' ' Sir,' saith she, 
 ' I know it well, nor never may you be heal 
 thereof save you bring me the head of the 
 knight.' ' Damsel,' saith he, ' I will essay it 
 whatsoever may befal me thereof.' 
 
 IX 
 
 King Arthur looketh amidst the launde and 
 seeth that they that have come thither have cut 
 the knight to pieces limb by limb, and that each 
 is carrying off a foot or a thigh or an arm or a 
 hand and are dispersing them through the forest. 
 And he seeth that the last knight beareth on the 
 point of his spear the head. The King goeth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 29 
 
 after him a great gallop and crieth out to him : The 
 
 Ha, Sir knight, abide and speak to me ! ' ^S 
 
 ' What is your pleasure ? ' saith the knight, ^e 
 
 'Fair Sir,' saith the King, 'I beseech you of knight's 
 
 all loves that you deign to give me the head of head 
 
 this knight that you are carrying on the point 
 
 of your lance.' ' I will give it you,' saith the 
 
 knight, 'on condition.' 'What condition?' saith 
 
 the King. ' That you tell me who slew the 
 
 knight whose head I carry that you ask of me.' 
 
 'May I not otherwise have it ? ' saith the King. 
 
 In no wise,' saith he. ' Then will I tell you,' 
 
 saith the King. ' Know of a very truth that 
 
 King Arthur slew him.' ' And where is he ? ' 
 
 saith the knight. ' Seek him until you shall 
 
 have found him,' saith King Arthur, ' For I 
 
 have told you the truth thereof. Give me the 
 
 head.' ' Willingly,' saith the knight. He 
 
 lowereth his spear and the King taketh the 
 
 head. The knight had a horn at his neck. 
 
 He setteth it to his mouth and soundeth a blast 
 
 right loud. The knights that were set within 
 
 the forest hear the horn and return back a great 
 
 gallop, and King Arthur goeth his way toward 
 
 the oak-tree at the issue of the launde where 
 
 the damsel is awaiting him. And the knights 
 
 come presently to him that had given the head 
 
 to the King and ask him wherefore he hath 
 
 sounded the horn. ' For this,' saith he, ' That 
 
 this knight that is going away yonder hath told 
 
 me that King Arthur slew the Black Knight, 
 
 and I was minded you should know it that we 
 
 may follow him.' ' We will not follow him,' 
 
 say the knights, ' For it is King Arthur himself
 
 30 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The that is carrying off the head, and no power have 
 damsel we to do evil to him nor other sith that he hath 
 telleth of p asse d the bar. But you shall aby it that let 
 him go when he was so nigh you ! ' They rush 
 in upon him and slay him and cut him up, and 
 each one carrieth off his piece the same as they 
 had done with the other. King Arthur is 
 issued forth of the bar, and cometh to the 
 maiden that is waiting for him and presenteth her 
 the head. ' Sir,' saith the damsel, ' Gramercy.' 
 
 * Damsel,' saith he, ' With a good will ! ' * Sir,' 
 saith the damsel, ' You may well alight, for 
 nought have you to fear on this side the bar.' 
 With that, the King alighteth. ' Sir,' saith she, 
 
 * Do off your habergeon heedfully and I will 
 bind up the wound in your arm, for of none may 
 you be made whole save of me only.' The 
 King doeth off his habergeon, and the damsel 
 taketh of the blood of the knight's head that 
 still ran all warm, and therewith washeth King 
 Arthur his wound, and thereafter maketh him 
 do on his habergeon again. ' Sir,' saith she, 
 ' Never would you have been whole save by the 
 blood of this Black Knight. And for this 
 carried they off the body piecemeal and the 
 head, for that they well knew you were wounded ; 
 and of the head shall I have right sore need, for 
 thereby shall a castle be yielded up to me that 
 was reft from me by treason, so I may find the 
 knight that I go seek, through whom it ought to 
 be yielded up to me.' ' Damsel,' saith the 
 King, ' And who is the knight ? ' ' Sir,' saith 
 she, * He was the son of Alain li Gros of the 
 Valleys of Camelot, and is named Perlesvax.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 31 
 
 'Wherefore Perlesvax?' saith the King. Sir,' Sir 
 
 saith she, ' When he was born, his father was Perceval's 
 
 asked how he should be named in right baptism, chlldhood 
 
 and he said that he would he should have the 
 
 name Perlesvax, for the Lord of the Moors 
 
 had reft him of the greater part of the Valleys 
 
 of Camelot, and therefore he would that his son 
 
 should by this name be reminded thereof, and 
 
 God should so multiply him as that he should 
 
 be knight. The lad was right comely and right 
 
 gentle and began to go by the forests and launch 
 
 his javelins, Welsh-fashion, at hart and hind. 
 
 His father and his mother loved him much, and 
 
 one day they were come forth of their hold, 
 
 whereunto the forest was close anigh, to enjoy 
 
 them. Now, there was between the hold and 
 
 the forest, an exceeding small chapel that stood 
 
 upon four columns of marble ; and it was roofed 
 
 of timber and had a little altar within, and before 
 
 the altar a right fair coffin, and thereupon was 
 
 the figure of a man graven. Sir,' saith the 
 
 damsel to the King, ' The lad asked his father 
 
 and mother what man lay within the coffin. 
 
 The father answered : " Fair son," saith he, 
 
 " Certes, I know not to tell you, for the tomb 
 
 hath been here or ever that my father's father 
 
 was born, and never have I heard tell of none 
 
 that might know who it is therein, save only 
 
 that the letters that are on the coffin say that 
 
 when the Best Knight in the world shall come 
 
 hither the coffin will open and the joinings all 
 
 fall asunder, and then will it be seen who it is 
 
 that lieth therein." '
 
 32 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 How be X 
 
 knights ._ i , , , T r- tt 
 
 made? '-Damsel, saith the King, 'Have many 
 
 knights passed thereby sithence that the coffin 
 was set there ? ' ' Yea, sir, so many that 
 neither I nor none other may tell the number. 
 Yet natheless hath not the coffin removed itself 
 for none. When the lad heareth his father 
 and mother talking thus, he asketh what a 
 knight may be ? " Fair son," saith his mother, 
 " Of right ought you well to know by your 
 lineage." She telleth the lad that he had 
 eleven uncles on his father's side that had all 
 been slain in arms, and not one of them lived 
 knight but twelve years. Sir,' saith she to 
 the King, ' The lad made answer that this was 
 not that he had asked, but how knights were 
 made ? And the father answered that they 
 were such as had more valour than any other 
 in the world. After that he said, " Fair son, 
 they are clad in habergeons of iron to protect 
 their bodies, and helms laced upon their heads, 
 and shields and spears and swords girded where- 
 withal to defend their bodies." ' 
 
 XI 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the damsel to the King, ' When 
 that the father had thus spoken to the lad, they 
 returned together to the castle. When the 
 morrow morning came, the lad arose and heard 
 the birds sing and bethought him that he 
 would go for disport into the forest for the day 
 sith that it was fair. So he mounted on one of 
 his father's horses of the chase and carried his
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 33 
 
 javelins Welshman-fashion and went into the Perceval 
 
 forest and found a stag and followed him a slayeth 
 
 good four leagues Welsh, until that he came i e - R jf t 
 
 into a launde and found two knights all armed 
 
 that were there doing battle, and the one had 
 
 a red shield and the other a white. He gave 
 
 up tracking the stag to look on at the melly 
 
 and saw that the Red Knight was conquering 
 
 the White. He launched one of his javelins at 
 
 the Red Knight so hard that he pierced his 
 
 habergeon and made it pass through the heart. 
 
 The knight fell dead. Sir,' saith the damsel, 
 
 ' The knight of the white shield made great joy 
 
 thereof, and the lad asked him " were knights 
 
 so easy to slay? Methought," saith the lad, 
 
 "that none might never pierce nor damage a 
 
 knight's armour, otherwise would I not have 
 
 run him through with my javelin," saith the 
 
 lad. Sir, the lad brought the destrier home to 
 
 his father and mother, and right grieved were 
 
 they when they heard the tidings of the knight 
 
 he had slain. And right were they, for thereof 
 
 did sore trouble come to them thereafter. Sir, 
 
 the squire departed from the house of his father 
 
 and mother and came to the court of King 
 
 Arthur. Right gladly did the King make him 
 
 knight when he knew his will, and afterward 
 
 he departed from the land and went to seek 
 
 adventure in every kingdom. Now is he the 
 
 Best Knight that is in the world. So go I to 
 
 seek him, and full great joy shall I have at heart 
 
 and I may find him. Sir, and you should'meet 
 
 him by any adventure in any of these forests, he 
 
 beareth a red shield with a white hart. And
 
 34 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Arthur's so tell him that his father is dead, and that his 
 
 'tl^a mot ^ er w ^ l se a ^ ner ^ anc ^ 80 he come not to 
 succour her ; and that the brother of the hnight 
 of the Red shield that he slew in the forest 
 with his javelin warreth upon her with the 
 Lord ot the Moors.' 'Damsel,' saith the 
 King, ' And God grant me to meet him, right 
 glad shall I be thereof, and right well will I 
 set forth your message.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' Now 
 that I have told you him that I seek, it is your 
 turn to tell me your name.' ' Damsel,' saith 
 the King, 'Willingly. They that know me 
 call me Arthur.' ' Arthur ? Have you indeed 
 such name ? ' ' Yea, damsel,' saith he. ' So 
 help me God,' saith she, ' Now am I sorrier 
 for you than tofore, for you have the name of 
 the worst King in the world, and I would that 
 he were here in such sort as you are now. 
 But never again will he move from Cardoil, do 
 what he may, such dread hath the Queen lest 
 any should take him from her, according as I 
 have heard witness, for never saw I neither the 
 one nor the other. I was moved to go to his 
 court, but I have met full a score knights one 
 after other, of whom I asked concerning him, 
 and one told me the same tale as another, for 
 each told me that the court of King Arthur is 
 the vilest in the world, and that all the knights 
 of the Table Round have renounced it for the 
 badness thereof.' 'Damsel,' saith the King, 
 ' Hereof may he well be sorry, but at the 
 beginning I have heard say he did right well.' 
 'And who careth,' saith the damsel, 'for his 
 good beginning when the end is bad ? And
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 35 
 
 much it misliketh me that so seemly knight Arthur 
 and so worshipful man as are you should have heareth 
 the name of so evil a king.' 'Damsel,' saith a Voice 
 the King, * A man is not good by his name, 
 but by his heart.' 'You say true,' saith the 
 damsel, ' But for the King's name have I despite 
 of yours. And whitherward are you going ? ' 
 ' I shall go to Cardoil, where I shall find King 
 Arthur when I shall come thither.' ' Go to, 
 then, and bestir ! ' saith she. ' One bad man 
 with another ! No better hope have I of you, 
 sith that you go thither ! ' ' Damsel, you may 
 say your pleasure, for thither I go ! God be 
 with you ! ' 'And may never God guide you,' 
 saith she, * and you go to the court of King 
 Arthur ! ' 
 
 XII 
 
 With that the King mounted again and 
 departed, and left the damsel under the tree 
 and entered into the deep forest and rode with 
 much ado as fast as he might to come to 
 Cardoil. And he had ridden a good ten 
 leagues Welsh when he heard a Voice in the 
 thick of the forest that began to cry aloud : 
 ' King Arthur of Great Britain, right glad at 
 heart mayst thou be of this that God hath sent 
 me hither to thee. And so He biddeth thee 
 that thou hold court at the earliest thou mayst, 
 for the world, that is now made worse of thee 
 and of thy slackness in well-doing, shall thereof 
 be greatly amended ! ' With that the Voice is 
 silent, and the King was right joyous in his 
 heart of that he had heard. The story speak-
 
 36 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Arthur eth no more here of other adventure that 
 cometh befel King Arthur in his returning nor on his 
 CA *M arr i ya l- Anyway, he hath ridden so long that 
 he is come back to Cardoil. The Queen and 
 the knights made great feast of him and great 
 joy. The King was alighted on the mounting- 
 stage and went up into the hall and made him 
 be disarmed. And he showed the Queen the 
 wound that he had on his arm, that had been 
 right great and painful, but it was healing full 
 fairly. The King goeth into the chamber and 
 the Queen with him, and doeth the King be 
 apparelled in a robe of cloth of silk all furred of 
 ermine, with coat, surcoat and mantle. ' Sir,' 
 saith the Queen, ' Sore pain and travail have 
 you had.' * Lady, in such wise behoveth 
 worshipful man to suffer in order that he may 
 have honour, for hardly shall none without 
 travail come to honour.' He recounteth to the 
 Queen all the adventures that have befallen him 
 sithence that he was departed, and in what 
 manner he was wounded in the arm, and of the 
 damsel that had so blamed him of his name. 
 ' Sir,' saith the queen, * Now may you well 
 know how meet it is that a man high and rich 
 and puissant should have great shame of him- 
 self when he becometh evil.' 'Lady,' saith 
 the King, ' So much did the damsel do me well 
 to wot, but greatly did a Voice recomfort me 
 that I heard in the forest, for it told me that 
 God bade me hold court presently, and that I 
 shall see there the fairest adventure befal that 
 ever I may see.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' Right 
 joyous ought you to be that your Saviour hath
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 37 
 
 had you in remembrance. Now, therefore, The 
 fulfil His commandment.' ' Certes, Lady, so Queen 
 will I do. For never had none better desire re J 01cet " 
 of well-doing than have I as at this time, nor 
 of honour nor of largesse.' Sir,' saith she, 
 ' God be praised thereof.'
 
 BRANCH II 
 
 INCIPIT 
 
 Arthur ^JOW beginneth here the second branch of 
 
 holdeth i-^l the Holy Graal in the name of the 
 
 court Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 King Arthur was at Cardoil with the Queen 
 and right few knights. By God's pleasure, the 
 wish and the will had come back to him to win 
 honour and to do largesse as most he might. 
 He made seal his letters and sent them through- 
 out all his lands and all the islands, and gave 
 notice to the barons and knights that he would 
 hold court at Pannenoisance, that is situate on 
 the sea of Wales, at the feast of S. John after 
 Whitsuntide. And he was minded to put it off 
 until that day, for that Whitsuntide was already 
 too nigh, and they that should be present thereat 
 might not all come by the earlier day. The 
 tidings went through all lands, so that knights 
 come in great plenty thereunto, for well-doing 
 had so waxed feeble in all the kingdoms, that 
 every one had avoided King Arthur as one that 
 should do nought more for ever. Wherefore all 
 began now to marvel whence his new desire had 
 come. The knights of the Table Round that 
 were scattered through the lands and the forests,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 39 
 
 by God's will learnt the tidings and right great The 
 joy had they thereof, and came back to the Damsels 
 court with great ado. But neither Messire ~ 
 Gawain nor Lancelot came thither on that day. 
 But all the other came that were then on live. 
 S. John's day came, and the knights were 
 come from all parts, marvelling much that the 
 King had not held the court at Whitsuntide, 
 but they knew not the occasion thereof. The 
 day was fair and clear and the air fresh, and the 
 hall was wide and high and garnished of good 
 knights in great plenty. The cloths were 
 spread on the tables whereof were great plenty 
 in the hall. The King and the Queen had 
 washen and went to sit at the head of one table 
 and the other knights sate them down, whereof 
 were full five score and five as the story telleth. 
 Kay the Seneschal and Messire Ywain the son 
 of King Urien served that day at the tables at 
 meat, and five-and-twenty knights beside. And 
 Lucan the Butler served the golden cup before 
 the King. The sun shone through the windows 
 everywhere amidst the hall that was strown of 
 flowers and rushes and sweet herbs and gave 
 out a smell like as had it been sprinkled of 
 balm. And straightway after the first meat 
 had been served, and while they were yet 
 awaiting the second, behold you three damsels 
 where they enter into the hall ! She that came 
 first sate upon a mule white as driven snow and 
 had a golden bridle and a saddle with a bow of 
 ivory banded with precious stones and a saddle- 
 cloth of a red samite dropped of gold. The 
 damsel that was seated on the mule was right
 
 40 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The seemly of body but scarce so fair of face, and 
 damsel s h e was robed in a rich cloth of silk and gold 
 ^Arthur an< ^ ^ a d a "2^ ric ^ hat that covered all her 
 head. And it was all loaded of costly stones 
 that flamed like fire. And great need had she 
 that her head were covered, for she was all bald 
 without hair, and carried on her neck her right 
 arm slung in a stole of cloth of gold. And her 
 arm lay on a pillow, the richest that ever might 
 be seen, and it was all charged of little golden 
 bells, and in this hand held she the head of a 
 King sealed in silver and crowned with gold. 
 The other damsel that came behind rode after 
 the fashion of a squire, and carried a pack 
 trussed behind her with a brachet thereupon, 
 and at her neck she bore a shield banded argent 
 and azure with a red cross, and the boss was 
 of gold all set with precious stones. The third 
 damsel came afoot with her kirtle tucked up 
 like a running footman ; and she had in her 
 hand a whip wherewith she drove the two steeds. 
 Each of these twain was fairer than the first, 
 but the one afoot surpassed both the others in 
 beauty. The first cometh before the King, 
 there where he sitteth at meat with the Queen. 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' The Saviour of the world 
 grant you honour and joy and good adventure 
 and my Lady the Queen and all them of this 
 hall for love of you ! Hold it not churlishness 
 and I alight not, for there where knights be may 
 I not alight, nor ought I until such time as the 
 Graal be achieved.' ' Damsel,' saith the King, 
 ' Gladly would I have it so.' ' Sir,' saith she, 
 ' That know I well, and may it not mislike you
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 41 
 
 to hear the errand whereon I am come.' ' It Of King 
 shall not mislike me,' saith the King, ' Say your Fisher- 
 pleasure ! ' ' Sir,' saith she, ' The shield that man 
 this damsel beareth belonged to Joseph, the 
 good soldier knight that took down Our Lord 
 of hanging on the rood. I make you a present 
 thereof in such wise as I shall tell you, to wit, 
 that you keep the shield for a knight that shall 
 come hither for the same, and you shall make 
 hang it on this column in the midst of your 
 hall, and guard it in such wise as that none 
 may take it and hang at his neck save he only. 
 And of this shield shall he achieve the Graal, 
 and another shield shall he leave here in the 
 hall, red, with a white hart ; and the brachet 
 that the damsel carrieth shall here remain, and 
 little joy will the brachet make until the knight 
 shall come.' ' Damsel,' saith the King, ' The 
 shield and the brachet will we keep full safely, 
 and right heartily we thank you that you have 
 deigned to bring them hither.' ' Sir,' saith the 
 damsel, ' I have not yet told you all that I have 
 in charge to deliver. The best King that 
 liveth on earth and the most loyal and the most 
 righteous, sendeth you greeting ; of whom is 
 sore sorrow for that he hath fallen into a griev- 
 ous languishment.' ' Damsel,' saith the King, 
 Sore pity is it and it be so as you say ; and I 
 pray you tell me who is the King ? ' ' Sir,' 
 saith she, 'It is rich King Fisherman, of whom 
 is great grief.' 'Damsel,' saith the King, 'You 
 say true ; and God grant him his heart's desire ! ' 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' Know you wherefore he hath 
 fallen into languishment ? ' ' Nay, I know not
 
 42 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The at all, but gladly would I learn.' And I 
 damsel will tell you,' saith she. ' This languishment is 
 is bald come U p 0n him through one that harboured in 
 his hostel, to whom the most Holy Graal ap- 
 peared. And, for that he would not ask unto 
 whom one served thereof, were all the lands 
 commoved to war thereby, nor never thereafter 
 i might knight meet other but he should fight 
 with him in arms without none other occasion. 
 You yourself may well perceive the same, for 
 your well-doing hath greatly slackened, whereof 
 have you had much blame, and all the other 
 barons that by you have taken ensample, for you 
 are the mirror of the world alike in well-doing 
 and in evil-doing. Sir, I myself have good 
 right to plain me of the knight, and I will show 
 you wherefore.' She lifteth the rich hat from 
 her head and showeth the King and Queen and 
 the knight* in the hall her head all bald without 
 hair. * Sir,' saith she, * My head was right 
 seemly garnished of hair plaited in rich tresses 
 of gold at such time as the knight came to the 
 hostel of the rich King Fisherman, but I be- 
 came bald for that he made not the demand, 
 nor never again shall I have my hair until such 
 time as a knight shall go thither that shall ask 
 the question better than did he, or the knight 
 that shall achieve the Graal. Sir, even yet 
 have you not seen the sore mischief that hath 
 befallen thereof. There is without this hall a 
 car that three white harts have drawn hither, 
 and lightly may you send to see how rich it is. 
 I tell you that the traces are of silk and the 
 axletrees of gold, and the timber of the car is
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 43 
 
 ebony. The car is covered above with a black Arthur 
 samite, and below is a cross of gold the whole ^ u ^ et ^ 1 
 length, and under the coverlid of the car are a ^ 
 
 the heads of an hundred and fifty knights 
 whereof some be sealed in gold, other some in 
 silver and the third in lead. King Fisherman 
 sendeth you word that this loss hath befallen of 
 him that demanded not unto whom one serveth 
 of the Graal. Sir, the damsel that beareth the 
 shield holdeth in her hand the head of a Queen 
 that is sealed in lead and crowned with copper, 
 and I tell you that by the Queen whose head 
 you here behold was the King betrayed whose 
 head I bear, and the three manner of knights 
 whose heads are within the car. Sir, send 
 without to see the costliness and fashion of the 
 car.' The King sent Kay the Seneschal to see. 
 He looked straitly thereat within and without 
 and thereafter returned to the King. ' Sir,' 
 saith he, ' Never beheld I car so rich, and there 
 be three harts withal that draw the car, the 
 tallest and fattest one might ever see. But and 
 you will be guided by me, you will take the 
 foremost, for he is scarce so fat, and so might 
 you bid make right good collops thereof.' 
 Avoid there, Kay ! ' saith the King. ' Foul 
 churlishness have you spoken ! I would not 
 such a deed were done for another such king- 
 dom as is this of Logres! ' 'Sir,' saith the 
 damsel, ' He that hath been wont to do churlish- 
 ness doth right grudgingly withdraw himself 
 therefrom. Messire Kay may say whatsoever 
 him pleaseth, but well know I that you will pay 
 no heed to his talk. Sir,' saith the damsel,
 
 44 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The ' Command that the shield be hung on this 
 damsels column and that the brachet be put in the 
 epart Q ueen ' s chamber with the maidens. We will 
 go on our way, for here have we been long 
 enough.' Messire Ywain laid hold on the 
 shield and took it off the damsel's neck by leave 
 of the King, and hung it on the column in the 
 midst of the hall, and one of the Queen's 
 maidens taketh the brachet and carrieth him to 
 the Queen's chamber. And the damsel taketh 
 her leave and turneth again, and the King com- 
 mendeth her to God. When the King had 
 eaten in hall, the Queen with the King and the 
 knights go to lean at the windows to look at the 
 three damsels and the three white harts that 
 draw the car, and the more part said that the 
 damsel afoot that went after the two that were 
 mounted should have the most misease. The 
 bald damsel went before, and set not her hat on 
 her head until such time as behoved her enter 
 into the forest ; and the knights that were at 
 the windows might see them no longer. Then 
 set she her hat again upon her head. The 
 King, the Queen, and the knights when they 
 might see them no more, came down from the 
 windows, and certain of them said that never 
 until this time had they seen bald-headed 
 damsel save this one only. 
 
 II 
 
 Hereupon the story is silent of King Arthur, 
 and turneth again to speak of the three damsels 
 and the car that was drawn by the three white 
 harts. They are entered into the forest and
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 45 
 
 ride on right busily. When they had left the They 
 castle some seven leagues Welsh behind them, meet Sir 
 they saw a knight coming toward them on the '- rawain 
 way they had to go. The knight sat on a tall 
 horse, lean and bony. His habergeon was all 
 rusty and his shield pierced in more than a 
 dozen places, and the colour thereon was so 
 fretted away that none might make out the cog- 
 nizance thereof. And a right thick spear bore 
 he in his hand. When he came anigh the 
 damsel, he saluted her right nobly. ' Fair 
 welcome, damsel, to you and your company.' 
 
 * Sir,' saith she, ' God grant you joy and good 
 adventure ! ' * Damsel,' saith the knight, 
 
 * Whence come you ? ' ' Sir, from a court 
 high-plenary that King Arthur holdeth at Pan- 
 nenoisance. Go you thither, sir knight,' saith 
 the damsel, ' to see the King and the Queen 
 and the knights that are there ? ' ' Nay, not 
 so ! ' saith he. * Many a time have I seen them, 
 but right glad am I of King Arthur that he 
 hath again taken up his well-doing, for many 
 a time hath he been accustomed thereof.' 
 
 * Whitherward have you now emprised your 
 way ? ' saith the damsel. ' To the land of 
 King Fisherman, and God allow me.' ' Sir,' 
 saith she, ' Tell me your name and bide awhile 
 beside me.' The knight draweth bridle and 
 the damsels and the car come to a stay. * Dam- 
 sel,' saith he, ' Well behoveth me tell you my 
 name. Messire Gawain am I called, King 
 Arthur's nephew.' 'What? are you Messire 
 Gawain ? My heart well told me as much.' 
 ' Yea, damsel,' saith he, ' Gawain am I.' ' God
 
 46 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain be praised thereof, for so good knight as are 
 joineth y 0U ma y we l] g see the rich King Fisherman. 
 
 dam 1 Now am I fain to pray you of the valour that is 
 in you and the courtesy, that you return with 
 me and convoy me beyond a certain castle that 
 is in this forest whereof is some small peril.' 
 
 * Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, * Willingly, 
 at your pleasure.' He returneth with the 
 
 damsel through the midst of the forest that was 
 tall and leafy and little haunted of folk. The 
 damsel relateth to him the adventure of the 
 heads that she carried and that were in the car, 
 like as she did at the court of King Arthur, and 
 of the shield and the brachet she had left there, 
 but much it misliked Messire Gawain of the 
 damsel that was afoot behind them. ' Damsel,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' Wherefore doth not 
 this damsel that goeth afoot mount upon the 
 car? ' ' Sir,' saith she, 'This shall she not, for 
 behoveth her go not otherwise than afoot. But 
 and you be so good knight as men say, betimes 
 will she have done her penance.' ' How so ? ' 
 saith Gawain. * I will tell you,' saith she. 
 
 And it shall so be that God bring you to the 
 hostel of rich King Fisherman, and the most 
 Holy Graal appear before you and you demand 
 unto whom is served thereof, then will she have 
 done her penance, and I, that am bald, shall 
 receive again my hair. And so you also make 
 not demand thereof, then will it behove us 
 suffer sore annoy until such time as the Good 
 Knight shall come and shall have achieved the 
 Graal. For on account of him that first was 
 there and made not the demand, are all the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 47 
 
 lands in sorrow and warfare, and the good King The 
 Fisherman is yet in languishment.' ' Damsel,' Black 
 saith Messire Gawain, 'God grant me courage ^ asUe 
 and will herein that I may come to do this 
 thing according to your wish, whereof may I 
 win worship both of God and of the world.' 
 
 Ill 
 
 Messire Gawain and the damsels go on their 
 way a great pace through the high forest, green 
 and leafy, where the birds are singing, and enter 
 into the most hideous forest and most horrible 
 that any might ever see, and seemed it that 
 no greenery never there had been, so bare and 
 dry were all the branches and all the trees 
 black and burnt as it had been by fire, and the 
 ground all parched and black atop with no green, 
 and full of great cracks. ' Damsel,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, * Right loathly is this forest 
 and right hideous. Goeth it on far like this ? ' 
 'Sir,' saith she, 'For nine leagues Welsh goeth 
 it on the same, but we shall pass not through 
 the whole thereof.' Messire Gawain looketh 
 from time to time on the damsel that cometh 
 afoot, and sore it irketh him that he may not 
 amend her estate. They ride on until that they 
 come to a great valley and Messire Gawain 
 looketh along the bottom and seeth appear a 
 black castle that was enclosed within a girdle of 
 wall, foul and evil-seeming. The nigher he 
 draweth to the castle the more hideous it 
 seemeth him, and he seeth great halls appear 
 that were right foully mis-shapen, and the forest
 
 48 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The about it he seeth to be like as he had found it 
 Black behind. He seeth a water come down from 
 
 kxristaa t ^ ie ^ ea< ^ ^ a rnounta i n f u l an( i horrible and 
 black, that went amidst the castle roaring so 
 loud that it seemed to be thunder. Messire 
 Gawain seeth the entrance of the gateway foul 
 and horrible like as it had been hell, and within 
 the castle heard he great outcries and lamenta- 
 tions, and the most part heard he saying : ' Ha, 
 God ! What hath become of the Good 
 Knight, and when will he come ? ' ' Damsel,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' What is this castle here 
 that is so foul and hideous, wherein is such 
 dolour suffered and such weary longing for the 
 coming of the Good Knight ? ' ' Sir, this is the 
 castle of the Black Hermit. Wherefore am I 
 fain to pray you that you meddle not herein for 
 nought that they within may do to me, for 
 otherwise it may well be that your death is at 
 hand, for against them will you have no might 
 nor power.' They come anigh the castle as it 
 were a couple of bow-shots, and behold, through 
 the gateway come knights armed on black horses 
 and their arms all black and their shields and 
 spears, and there were a hundred and fifty and 
 two, right parlous to behold. And they come a 
 great gallop toward the damsel, and toward the 
 car, and take the hundred and fifty-two heads, 
 each one his own, and set them upon their 
 spears and so enter into the castle again with 
 great joy. Messire Gawain seeth the insolence 
 that the knights have wrought, and right great 
 shame hath he of himself that he hath not 
 moved withal. ' Messire Gawain,' saith the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 49 
 
 damsel, ' Now may you know how little would Gawaine 
 
 your force have availed you herein. ' ' Damsel, 1S chal- 
 
 an evil castle is this where folk are robbed on len S e<1 
 
 such wise.' ' Sir, never may this mischief be 
 
 amended, nor this outrage be done away, nor 
 
 the evil-doer therein be stricken down, nor they 
 
 that cry and lament within the prison there be 
 
 set free until such time as the Good Knight 
 
 shall come for whom are they yearning as you 
 
 have heard but now.' ' Damsel, right glad 
 
 may the knight be that by his valour and his 
 
 hardiment shall destroy so many evil folk ! ' 
 
 ' Sir, therefore is he the Best Knight in the 
 
 world, and he is yet young enough of age, but 
 
 right sorrowful am I at heart that I know not 
 
 true tidings of him ; for better will have I to 
 
 see him than any man on live.' 'Damsel, so 
 
 also have I,' saith Messire Gawain, ' For then 
 
 by your leave would I turn me again.' * Not 
 
 so, sir, but and you shall come beyond the 
 
 castle, then will I teach you the way whereby 
 
 you ought to go.' 
 
 IV 
 
 With that they go toward the castle all 
 together. Just as they were about to pass 
 beyond the castle wall, behold you where a 
 knight cometh forth of a privy postern of the 
 castle, and he was sitting upon a tall horse, his 
 spear in his fist, and at his neck had he a red 
 shield whereon was figured a golden eagle. 
 ' Sir knight,' saith he to Messire Gawain, ' I 
 pray you bide.' ' What is your pleasure ? ' 
 'You must needs joust with me,' saith he, 'and
 
 50 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Judas conquer this shield, or otherwise I shall conquer 
 Macha- y OU# And full precious is the shield, insomuch 
 
 shield as t ^ 2it 8 reat P ains ought you to take to have it 
 and conquer it, for it belonged to the best 
 knight of his faith that was ever, and the most 
 puissant and the wisest.' ' Who, then, was he ? ' 
 saith Messire Gawain. 'Judas Machabee was 
 he, and he it was that first wrought how by one 
 bird to take another.' < You say true,' saith 
 Messire Gawain; 'A good knight was he.' 
 * Therefore right joyful may you be,' saith he, 
 ' and you may conquer the same, for your own 
 is the poorest and most battered that ever saw 
 I borne by knight. For hardly may a man 
 know the colour thereof.' 'Thereby may you 
 well see,' saith the damsel to the knight, ' that 
 his own shield hath not been idle, nor hath the 
 horse whereon he sitteth been stabled so well as 
 yours.' ' Damsel,' saith the knight, ' No need 
 is here of long pleading. Needs must he joust 
 with me, for him do I defy.' Saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' I hear well that you say.' He 
 draweth him back and taketh his career and 
 the knight likewise, and they come together as 
 fast as their horses may carry them, spear in 
 rest. The knight smiteth Messire Gawain on 
 the shield whereof he had no great defence, and 
 passeth beyond, and in the by-pass the knight 
 to-brake his spear ; and Messire Gawain 
 smiteth him with his spear in the midst of 
 hia breast and beareth him to the ground over 
 the croup of his horse, all pinned upon his 
 spear, whereof he had a good full hand's breadth 
 in his breast. He draweth his spear back to
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 51 
 
 him, and when the knight felt himself unpinned, The 
 
 he leaped to his feet and came straight to his knight s 
 
 horse and would fain set his foot in the stirrup 
 
 when the damsel of the car crieth out : ' Mes- 
 
 sire Gawain, hinder the knight ! for and he 
 
 were mounted again, too sore travail would it 
 
 be to conquer him ! ' When the knight heard 
 
 name Messire Gawain, he draweth him back : 
 
 ' How ? ' saith he ; 'Is this then the good 
 
 Gawain, King Arthur's nephew ? ' * Yea,' 
 
 saith the damsel, ' He it is without fail ! ' ' Sir,' 
 
 saith the knight to Messire Gawain, ' Are you 
 
 he ? ' ' Yea,' saith he, ' Gawain I am ! ' 
 
 * Sir, so please you,' saith he, ' I hold me 
 
 conquered, and right sorry am I that I knew 
 
 you not or ever I had ado with you.' He 
 
 taketh the shield from his neck and holdeth it 
 
 to him. ' Sir,' saith he, ' Take the shield that 
 
 belonged to the best knight that was in his 
 
 time of his faith, for none know I of whom it 
 
 shall be better employed than of you. And of 
 
 this shield were vanquished all they that be in 
 
 prison in this castle.' Messire Gawain taketh 
 
 the shield that was right fair and rich. ' Sir,' 
 
 saith the knight, ' Now give me yours, for you 
 
 will not bear two shields.' ' You say true,' 
 
 saith Messire Gawain. He taketh the guige 
 
 from his neck and would have given him the 
 
 shield, when the damsel afoot : ' Hold, sir 
 
 knight, you that are named Messire Gawain ! 
 
 What would you do ? And he bear your shield 
 
 into the castle there, they of the castle will hold 
 
 you recreant and conquered, and will come forth 
 
 thence and carry you into the castle by force,
 
 52 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The and there will you be cast into his grievous 
 knight prison ; for no shield is borne thereinto save of 
 yieldeth a vanquished knight only.' ' Sir knight,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' No good you wish me, 
 according to that this damsel saith.' ' Sir,' 
 saith the knight, ' I cry you mercy, and a 
 second time I hold me conquered, and right 
 glad should I have been might I have borne 
 your shield within yonder, and right great 
 worship should I have had thereof, for never 
 yet hath entered there the shield of knight so 
 good. And now ought I to be right well 
 pleased of your coming, sith that you have set 
 me free of the sorest trouble that ever knight 
 had.' * What is the trouble ? ' saith Messire 
 Gawain. ' Sir,' saith he, ' I will tell you. 
 Heretofore many a time hath there been a 
 passing by of knights both of hardy and of 
 coward, and it was my business to contend and 
 joust with them and do battle, and I made 
 them present of the shield as did I you. The 
 more part found I hardy and well able to 
 defend themselves, that wounded me in many 
 places, but never was knight so felled me to the 
 ground nor dealt me so sore a buffet as have 
 you. And sith that you are carrying away the 
 shield and I am conquered, never hereafter 
 shall knight that passeth before this castle have 
 no dread of me nor of no knight that is herein.' 
 * By my head,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Now 
 am I gladder of my conquest than I was before.' 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' By your leave will I 
 go my way, for, and I may hide not my shame 
 in the castle, needs must I show it openly
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 53 
 
 abroad.' ' God grant you do well ! ' saith Gawain 
 
 Messire Gawain. ' Messire Gawain,' saith | s heed- 
 
 the Damsel of the Car, 'give me your shield ess 
 
 that the knight would fain have carried off.' 
 
 * Willingly, damsel,' saith he. The damsel 
 
 that went afoot taketh the shield and setteth it 
 
 in the car. Howbeit, the knight that was 
 
 conquered mounted again upon his horse, and 
 
 entered again into the castle, and when he was 
 
 come thereinto, arose a noise and great outcry 
 
 so loud that all the forest and all the valley 
 
 began to resound thereof. ' Messire Gawain,' 
 
 saith the Damsel of the Car, ' the knight is 
 
 shamed and there cast in prison another time. 
 
 Now haste, Messire Gawain ! for now may you 
 
 go ! ' With that they all set forward again 
 
 upon their way together, and leave the castle 
 
 an English league behind. ' Damsel,' saith 
 
 Messire Gawain, ' When it shall please you, I 
 
 shall have your leave to go.' ' Sir,' saith she, 
 
 ' God be guard of your body, and right great 
 
 thanks of your convoy.' ' Lady,' saith he, 
 
 ' My service is always ready at your command.' 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the damsel, ' Gramercy, and your 
 
 own way see you there by yonder great cross 
 
 at the entrance of yonder forest. And beyond 
 
 that, will you find the fairest forest and most 
 
 delightsome when you shall have passed through 
 
 this that sore is wearisome.' Messire Gawain 
 
 turneth him to go, and the damsel afoot crieth 
 
 out to him : ' Sir, not so heedful are you as I 
 
 supposed.' Messire Gawain turneth his horse's 
 
 head as he that was startled : ' Wherefore say 
 
 you so, damsel ? ' saith he. * For this,' saith 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 54 THE HOLY GRAAL 
 
 Gawain she, * That you have never asked of my Damsel 
 departeth wherefore she carrieth her arm slung at her 
 neck, in this golden stole, nor what may be the 
 rich pillow whereon the arm lieth. And no 
 greater heed will you take at the court of the 
 rich King Fisherman.' 'Sweet, my friend,' 
 saith the Damsel of the Car, ' blame not Messire 
 , Gawain only, but King Arthur before him and 
 
 all the knights that were in the court. For 
 not one of them all that were there was so 
 heedful as to ask me. Go your ways, Messire 
 Gawain, for in vain would you now demand it, 
 for I will tell you not, nor shall you never 
 know it save only by the most coward knight 
 in the world, that is mine own knight and goeth 
 to seek me and knoweth not where to find me.' 
 * Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, ' I durst not 
 press you further.' With that the Damsel 
 departeth, and Messire Gawain setteth him 
 forward again on the way that she had taught 
 him.
 
 BRANCH III 
 
 HERE beginneth another branch of the Gawain 
 Graal in the name of the Father, and findeth a 
 in the name of the Son, and in the name of the damsel 
 Holy Ghost. 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Here is the story silent of the three damsels 
 and the car and saith that Messire Gawain hath 
 passed throughout the evil forest and is entered 
 into the forest passing fair, the broad, the high, 
 the plenteous of venison. And he rideth a great 
 pace, but sore abashed is he of that the damsel 
 had said to him, and misdoubteth him but he 
 shall have blame thereof in many places. He 
 rode hard the day long till that it was evensong 
 and the sun was about to set. And he looketh 
 before him and seeth the house of a hermit and 
 the chapel in the thick of the forest ; and a 
 spring flowed forth in front of the chapel right 
 clear and fresh, and above it was a tree full 
 broad and tall that threw a shadow over the 
 spring. A damsel sate under the tree and held 
 a mule by the reins and at the saddle-bow had 
 she the head of a knight hanging. And 
 Messire Gawain cometh thitherward and 
 alighteth. ' Damsel,' saith he, ' God give 
 you good adventure ! ' * Sir,' saith she, * And 
 
 65
 
 56 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A hermit you always.' When she was risen up over 
 knight against him, * Damsel,' saith he, ' For whom 
 are you a-waiting here ? ' ' Sir,' saith she, ' I am 
 waiting for the hermit of this holy chapel, that 
 is gone into the forest, and I would fain ask 
 him tidings of a knight.' ' Think you he will 
 tell you them and he knoweth any ? ' ' Yea, 
 sir, I think so, according to that I have been 
 told.' Therewithal behold you the hermit that 
 was coming, and saluteth the damsel and Messire 
 Gawain and openeth the door of the house and 
 setteth the two steeds within and striketh off 
 the bridles and giveth them green-meat first and 
 barley after, and fain would he have taken off 
 the saddles when Messire Gawain leapeth 
 before : ' Sir,' saith he, ' Do not so ! This 
 business is not for you ! ' ' Hermit though I 
 be,' saith he, ' yet well know I how to deal 
 withal, for at the court of King Uther 
 Pendragon have I been squire and knight two- 
 score years, and a score or more have I been in 
 this hermitage,' And Messire Gawain looketh 
 at him in wonderment. ' Sir,' saith he, ' Me- 
 seemeth you are not of more than forty years.' 
 ' That know I well of a truth,' saith the 
 hermit, and Messire Gawain taketh off the 
 saddles and bethinketh him more of the damsel's 
 mule than of his own horse. And the hermit 
 taketh Messire Gawain by the hand and the 
 damsel and leadeth them into the chapel. And 
 the place was right fair. 'Sir,' saith the 
 hermit to Messire Gawain, ' You will disarm 
 you not,' saith he, ' for this forest is passing 
 adventurous, and no worshipful man behoveth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 57 
 
 be disgarnished.' He goeth for his spear and Perceval 
 for his shield and setteth them within the the 
 chapel. He setteth before them such meat as S S C? 
 he hath, and when they have eaten giveth them 
 to drink of the spring. * Sir,' saith the 
 damsel, ' Of a knight that I go seek am I come 
 to ask you tidings.' * Who is the knight ? ' 
 saith the hermit. ' Sir, he is the Chaste 
 Knight of most holy lineage. He hath a head 
 of gold, the look of a lion, the navel of a virgin 
 maid, a heart of steel, the body of an elephant, 
 and without wickedness are all his conditions.' 
 ' Damsel,' saith the hermit, ' Nought will I tell 
 you concerning him, for I know not of a cer- 
 tainty where he is, save this, that he hath lain 
 in this chapel twice, not once only, within this 
 twelvemonth.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' Will you tell 
 me no more of him, nor none other witting ? ' 
 * In no wise,' saith the hermit. ' And you, 
 Messire Gawain ? ' saith she. ' Damsel,' saith 
 he, 'As fainly would I see him as you, but 
 none find I that may tell me tidings of him.' 
 'And the Damsel of the Car, Sir, have you 
 seen her ? ' ' Yea, lady,' saith he, ' It is but 
 just now sithence that I left her.' ' Carried 
 she still her arm slung at her neck ? ' ' Yea,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' in such wise she carried 
 it.' ' Of a long while,' saith the damsel, 'hath 
 she borne it thus.' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, 
 ' how are you named ? ' ' Sir,' saith he, 
 ' Gawain am I called, King Arthur's nephew.' 
 ' Thereof I love you the better,' saith the 
 hermit. ' Sir,' saith the damsel, ' You are of 
 kindred to the worst King that is.' 'Of what
 
 58 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Arthur's King speak you?' saith Messire Gawain. I 
 name speak,' saith she, ' of King Arthur, through 
 
 mis 1 e wnom j s a Ji t h e WO rld made worser, for he 
 began doing well and now hath become evil. 
 For hatred of him hate I a knight that found 
 me nigh St. Augustine's Chapel, and yet was 
 he the comeliest knight that saw I ever. He 
 slew a knight within the bar right hardily. I 
 asked him for the head of the knight and he 
 went back for the same and set himself in sore 
 peril. He brought it me, and I made him 
 great joy, but when he told me his name was 
 Arthur I had no fainness of the bounty he 
 had done me, for that he had the name of that 
 evil King.' 
 
 II 
 
 ' Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, ' You may 
 say your pleasure. I tell you that King Arthur 
 hath held the richest court that he hath held 
 ever, and these evil conditions whereof you 
 blame him is he minded to put away for ever- 
 more, and more will he do of good and more 
 of largesse than was ever known aforetime, so 
 long as he shall live ; nor know I none other 
 knight that beareth his name.' 'You are right,' 
 saith the damsel, ' to come to his rescue, for 
 that he is your uncle, but your rescue will scarce 
 avail him and he deliver not himself.' ' Sir,' 
 saith the hermit to Messire Gawain, The 
 damsel will say her pleasure. May God defend 
 King Arthur, for his father made me knight. 
 Now am I priest, and in this hermitage ever 
 8ithence that I came hither have I served King
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 59 
 
 Fisherman by the will of Our Lord and His The 
 commandment, and all they that serve him do chapel 
 well partake of his reward, for the place of his ~ j 
 most holy service is a refuge so sweet that unto 
 him that hath been there a year, it seemeth to 
 have been but a month for the holiness of the 
 place and of himself, and for the sweetness of 
 his castle wherein have I oftentimes done service 
 in the chapel where the Holy Graal appeareth. 
 Therefore is it that I and all that serve him are 
 so youthful of seeming.' ' Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' By what way may a man go to his 
 castle ? ' * Sir,' saith the hermit, ' None may 
 teach you the way, save the will of God lead 
 you therein. And would you fain go thither ? ' 
 ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, It is the most 
 wish that I have.' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, 
 ' Now God give you grace and courage to ask 
 the question that the others to whom the Graal 
 hath appeared would ask not, whereof have 
 many mischances sithence befallen much people.' 
 
 Ill 
 
 With that, they left of talking, and the 
 hermit led Messire Gawain into his house to 
 rest, and the damsel abode still in the chapel. 
 On the morrow when dawn appeared, Messire 
 Gawain that had lain all armed, arose and 
 found his saddle ready and the damsel, and the 
 bridles set on, and cometh to the chapel and 
 findeth the hermit that was apparelled to sing 
 mass, and seeth the damsel kneeling before an 
 image of Our Lady, and she prayed God and 
 the sweet Lady that they would counsel her of
 
 60 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain that whereof she had need, and wept right 
 goeth tenderly so that the tears ran down her face. 
 
 his way Arid, when she had prayed of a long space she 
 ariseth, and Messire Gawain biddeth her God 
 give her good day, and she returneth his salute. 
 * Damsel,' saith he, * Meseemeth you are not 
 over joyous.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' I have right, 
 for now am I nigh unto my desolation, sith that 
 I may not find the Good Knight. Now must I 
 needs go to the castle of the Black Hermit, and 
 bear thither the head that hangeth at my saddle- 
 bow, for otherwise shall I not be able to pass 
 through the forest but my body should there be 
 cast in prison or shamed, and this shall be the 
 quittance for my passing. Then will I seek 
 the Damsel of the Car and so shall I go in 
 safety through the forest.' With that the 
 hermit had begun the mass and Messire Gawain 
 and the damsel heard it. When mass was sung, 
 Messire Gawain took leave of the hermit and 
 the damsel also. And Messire Gawain goeth 
 one way and the damsel the other, and either 
 biddeth other to God. 
 
 IV 
 
 Hereupon the story is now silent of the 
 damsel, and saith that Messire Gawain goeth 
 through the high forest and rideth a great pace, 
 and prayeth God right sweetly that He will 
 set him in such way as that thereby he may 
 go to the land of the rich King Fisherman. 
 And he rideth until the hour of noon, and 
 cometh into the fulness of the forest and seeth 
 under a tree a squire alighted of a horse of the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 61 
 
 chase. Messire Gawain saluteth him, and the The Red 
 squire saith : ' Sir, right welcome may you be ! ' Knight's 
 
 * Fair sweet friend,' saith Messire Gawain, son 
 
 * Whither go you ? ' ' Sir, I go to seek the 
 lord of this forest.' ' Whose is the forest ? ' 
 saith Messire Gawain. ' Sir, it belongeth to 
 the Best Knight in the world.' * Can you tell 
 me tidings of him ? ' ' He ought to bear a 
 shield banded azure and argent with a red cross 
 thereon and a boss of gold. I say that he is 
 good knight, but little call have I to praise him, 
 for he slew my father in this forest with a 
 javelin. The Good Knight was squire what 
 time he slew him, and fain would I avenge my 
 father upon him and I may find him, for he reft 
 me of the best knight that was in the realm of 
 L ogres when he slew my father. Well did he 
 bereave me of him what time he slew him with 
 his javelin without defiance, nor shall I never 
 be at ease nor at rest until I shall have avenged 
 him.' ' Fair sweet friend,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' Sith that he is knight so good, take 
 heed you increase not your wrong of your own 
 act, and I would fain that you had found him, 
 so as that no evil had befallen him thereof.' 
 
 ' So would not I ! ' saith the squire, ' for never 
 shall I see him in this place but I shall run 
 upon him as my mortal enemy! ' 'Fair sweet 
 friend,' saith Messire Gawain, 'you may say 
 your pleasure, but tell me, is there no hold in 
 this forest wherein I may harbour me the night ? ' 
 ' Sir,' saith the squire, ' No hold know I within
 
 62 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The twenty league of your way in any quarter. 
 Widow Wherefore no leisure have you to tarry, for it 
 ays is high noon already.' So Messire Gawain 
 saluteth the squire and goeth a great pace as he 
 that knoweth neither highway nor byway save 
 only as adventure may lead him. And the 
 forest pleaseth him well for that it is so fair and 
 that he seeth the deer pass by before him in 
 great herds. He rode on until it drew toward 
 evensong at a corner of the forest. The even- 
 ing was fair and calm and the sun was about to 
 set. And a score league Welsh had he ridden 
 sithence that he parted from the squire, and sore 
 he misdoubted him that he should find no hold. 
 He found the fairest meadow-land in the world, 
 and looked before him when he had ridden a 
 couple of bow-shot lengths and saw a castle 
 appear nigh the forest on a mountain. And it 
 was enclosed of high walls with battlements, and 
 within were fair halls whereof the windows 
 showed in the outer walls, and in the midst was 
 an ancient tower that was compassed round of 
 great waters and broad meadow-lands. Thither- 
 ward Messire Gawain draweth him and Iooketh 
 toward the gateway of the castle and seeth a 
 squire issue forth a great pace upon a hackney, 
 and he came the way that Messire Gawain was 
 coming. And when the squire seeth him and 
 hath drawn somewhat anigh, he saluteth him 
 right nobly. 
 
 VI 
 
 ' Sir, right welcome may you be ! ' ' Good 
 adventure may you have ! ' saith Messire
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 63 
 
 Gawain. ' Fair sweet friend, what is this Camelot 
 
 castle here, sir ? ' Sir, it is the castle of the 
 
 Widow Lady.' 'What is the name thereof?' 
 
 ' Camelot ; and it belonged to Alain li Gros, 
 
 that was a right loyal knight and worshipful 
 
 man. He is dead this long time, and my Lady 
 
 hath remained without succour and without 
 
 counsel. Wherefore is the castle warred upon 
 
 of them that would fain reave her thereof by 
 
 force. The Lord of the Moors and another 
 
 knight are they that war upon her and would 
 
 fain reave her of this castle as they have reft 
 
 her of seven other already. Greatly desireth 
 
 she the return of her son, for no counsel hath 
 
 she save only of her one daughter and of five 
 
 old knights that help her to guard the castle. 
 
 Sir,' saith he, ' The door is made fast and the 
 
 bridge drawn up, for they guard the castle 
 
 closely, but, so please you, you will tell me your 
 
 name and I will go before and make the bridge 
 
 be lowered and the gate unfastened, and will say 
 
 that you will lodge within to-night.' ' Gra- 
 
 mercy,' saith Messire Gawain, * right well shall 
 
 my name be known or ever I depart from the 
 
 castle.' The squire goeth his way a great pace, 
 
 and Messire Gawain rideth softly at a walk for 
 
 he had yet a long way to go. And he found a 
 
 chapel that stood between the forest and the 
 
 castle, and it was builded upon four columns of 
 
 marble and within was a right fair sepulchre. 
 
 The chapel had no fence of any kind about it, 
 
 so that he seeth the coffin within full clearly, 
 
 and Messire Gawain bideth awhile to look 
 
 thereon. And the squire is entered into the
 
 64 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The castle and hath made the bridge be lowered and 
 Lady the door opened. He alighteth and is come 
 glais j nt0 fo e j ia jj w j iere was t h e Widow Lady and 
 
 her daughter. Saith the Lady to the squire : 
 ' Wherefore have you returned from doing my 
 message?' 'Lady, for the comeliest knight 
 that I have seen ever, and fain would he harbour 
 within to-night, and he is garnished of all arms 
 and rideth without company.' ' And what 
 name hath he?' saith the Lady. 'Lady, he 
 told me you should know it well or ever he 
 depart from this castle.' Therewithal the Lady 
 gan weep for joy and her daughter also, and, 
 lifting their hands toward heaven, ' Fair Lord 
 God ! ' saith the Widow Lady, ' And this be 
 indeed my son, never tofore have I had joy 
 that might be likened to this ! Now shall I 
 not be disherited of mine honour, neither shall 
 I lose my castle whereof they would fain reave 
 me by wrong, for that no Lord nor champion 
 have I ! ' 
 
 VII 
 
 Thereupon the Widow Lady ariseth up and 
 her daughter likewise, and they go over the bridge 
 of the castle and see Messire Gawain that was 
 yet looking on the coffin within the chapel. 
 'Now haste ! ' saith the Lady; 'At the tomb 
 shall we be well able to see whether it be he ! ' 
 They go to the chapel right speedily, and Messire 
 Gawain seeth them coming and alighteth. 
 'Lady,' saith he, 'Welcome may you be, you 
 and your company.' The Lady answereth 
 never a word until that they are come to the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 65 
 
 tomb. When she findeth it not open, she Dindrane 
 falleth down in a swoon. And Messire Gawain jj er 
 is sore afraid when he seeth it. The Lady au * 
 cometh back out of her swoon and breaketh out 
 into great lamentation. ' Sir,' saith the damsel 
 to Messire Gawain, ' Welcome may you be ! 
 But now sithence my mother supposed that you 
 had been her son and made great joy thereof, 
 and now seeth she plainly that you are not he, 
 whereof is she sore sorrowful, for so soon as he 
 6hall return, this coffin behoveth open, nor until 
 that hour shall none know who it is that lieth 
 therein.' The Lady riseth up and taketh 
 Messire Gawain by the hand. ' Sir,' saith she, 
 'What is your name?' 'Lady,' saith he, 'I 
 am called Gawain, King Arthur's nephew.' 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' You shall be he that is wel- 
 come both for the sake of my son and for your 
 own sake.' The Lady biddeth a squire lead 
 his horse into the castle and carry his shield and 
 spear. Then they enter into the castle and 
 lead Messire Gawain into the hall, and make 
 disarm him. After that, they fetch him water 
 to wash his hands and his face, for he was dis- 
 tained of the rust of his habergeon. The Lady 
 maketh apparel him in a rich robe of silk and 
 gold, and furred of ermine. The Widow Lady 
 cometh forth of her chamber and maketh Messire 
 Gawain sit beside her. * Sir,' saith she, ' Can 
 you tell me any tidings of my son that I have 
 not seen of this long time past, and of whom at 
 this present am I sore in need ? '
 
 66 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 No viii 
 
 Perceval 'Lady,' saith he, 'No tidings of him know 
 I to tell you, and right heavy am I thereof, for 
 he is the knight of the world that fainest I 
 would see and he be your son as I am told. 
 What name hath he?' 'Sir,' saith she, 'His 
 name in right baptism is Perceval, and a right 
 i comely squire was he when he departed hence. 
 Now as at this time is it said that he is the 
 comeliest knight on live and the most hardy and 
 the cleanest of all wickedness. And sore need 
 have I of his hardiment, for what time that he 
 departed hence, he left me in the midst of a 
 great warfare on behalf of the Knight of the 
 Red Shield that he slew. Within the se'nnight 
 thereafter he went away, nor never once have I 
 seen him sithence, albeit a full seven year hath 
 passed already. And now the brother of the 
 knight that he slew and the Lord of the Moors 
 are warring upon me and are fain to reave me 
 of my castle and God counsel me not. For 
 my brothers are too far away from me, and 
 King Pelles of the Lower Folk hath renounced 
 his land for God's sake and entered into a 
 hermitage. But the King of Castle Mortal 
 hath in him as much of wickedness and felony 
 as these twain have in them of good, and enough 
 thereof have they. But neither succour nor 
 help may they give me, for the King of Castle 
 Mortal challengeth my Lord King Fisherman 
 both of the most Holy Graal and of the Lance 
 whereof the point bleedeth every day, albeit 
 God forbid he should ever have them.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 67 
 
 IX Of King 
 
 'Lady,' saith Messire Gawain, 'There was t ' isher - 
 at the hostel of King Fisherman a knight before 
 whom the Holy Graal appeared three times, yet 
 never once would he ask whereof it served nor 
 whom it honoured.' * Sir,' saith the Widow 
 Lady's daughter, ' You say true, and the Best 
 Knight is he of the world. This say I for love 
 of my brother, and I love all knights for the 
 love of him, but by the foolish wit of the knight 
 hath mine uncle King Fisherman fallen into 
 languishment.' ' Sir,' saith the Lady, ' Be- 
 hoveth all good knights go see the rich King 
 Fisherman. Will you not therefore go ? ' 
 'Lady,' saith Messire Gawain, 'Yea, that will 
 I, so speedily as I may, for not elsewhither 
 have I emprised my way.' 'Sir,' saith she, 
 ' Then are you going to see my son, wherefore 
 tell my son, and you see him, of my evil plight 
 and my misease, and King Fisherman my 
 brother. But take heed, Messire Gawain, that 
 you be better mindful than was the knight.' 
 ' Lady,' saith Messire Gawain, ' I shall do as 
 God shall teach me.' In the meanwhile as 
 they were speaking thus together, behold you 
 therewithal the Widow Lady's five knights that 
 were come in from the forest and make bring 
 harts and hinds and wild swine. So they 
 alighted and made great joy of Messire Gawain 
 when they knew who he was. 
 
 When the meat was ready they sate to eat, 
 and full plenteously were they provided and
 
 68 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 An right well were they served. Thereupon, 
 assembly behold, cometh the squire that had opened the 
 to n door for Messire Gawain, and kneeleth before 
 the Widow Lady. ' And what tidings ? ' saith 
 she. ' Lady, there is to be a right great 
 assembly of tourney in the valleys that aforetime 
 were ours. Already have they spread the 
 , Welsh booths, and thither are come these two 
 
 that are warring upon you and great store other 
 knights. And they have ordained that he 
 which shall do best at the assembly shall under- 
 take the garrison of this castle in such sort as 
 that he shall hold it for his own alone against 
 all other.' The Widow Lady beginneth to 
 weep : Sir,' saith she to Messire Gawain, 
 ' Now may you understand that the castle is not 
 mine own, sith that these knights say it is 
 theirs as you hear.' < Certes, Lady,' saith he, 
 ' Herein do they great dishonour and a sin.' 
 
 XI 
 
 When the table was removed the damsel fell 
 at Messire Gawain's feet, weeping. He raiseth 
 her forthwith and saith to her, Damsel, herein 
 do you ill.' ' For God's sake, Sir, take pity 
 on my Lady mother and me ! ' ' Certes, 
 damsel, great pity have I of you.' ' Sir, now 
 shall it be seen in this strait whether you be 
 good knight, for good is the knighthood that 
 doeth well for God's sake.' The Widow 
 Lady and her daughter go into the chamber, 
 and Messire Gawain's bed was made in the 
 midst of the hall. So he went and lay down 
 as did also the five knights. All the night was
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 69 
 
 Messire Gawain in much thought. The morrow, Gawain 
 when he was risen, he went to hear mass in a goeth 
 chapel that was within and ate thereafter three tni ' ;ner 
 sops in wine and then armed himself, and at the 
 same time asked the five knights that were there 
 in the hall whether they would go see the 
 assembly. ' Yea, Sir,' say they, * and you be 
 going thither.' ' In faith, thither verily will I 
 go ! ' saith Messire Gawain. The knights are 
 armed forthwith, and their horses brought and 
 Messire Gawain's, and he goeth to take leave 
 of the Widow Lady and her daughter. But 
 great joy make they of this that they have heard 
 say that he will go with their knights to the 
 assembly. 
 
 XII 
 
 Messire Gawain and the five knights mounted 
 and issued forth of the castle and rode a great 
 gallop before a forest. Messire Gawain looketh 
 before him about the foreclose of the forest, and 
 seeth the fairest purlieus that he had seen ever, 
 and so broad they be that he may not see nor 
 know the fourth part thereof. They are gar- 
 nished of tall forests on one hand and on the 
 other, and there are high rocks in the midst with 
 wild deer among. ' Sir,' say the knights, ' Lo, 
 these be the Valleys of Camelot whereof my 
 Lady and her daughter have been bereft, and 
 bereft also hath she been of the richest castles 
 that be in Wales to the number of seven.' ' A 
 wrong is it and a sin ! ' saith Messire Gawain. 
 So far have they ridden that they see the en- 
 signs and the shields there where the assembly 
 
 vol. 1. H
 
 70 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Chaos is to be held, and they see already mounted the 
 the R e *j more part of the knights all armed and running 
 unnorsea t j ie j r horses down the meadow-land. And they 
 see the tents stretched on the one hand and on 
 another. And Messire Gawain bideth, and 
 the five knights under a tree, and see the knights 
 assembling on one hand and on another. One 
 of the five knights that were with him gave him 
 witting of the Lord of the Moors and the 
 brother of the knight of the Red Shield that 
 had to name Chaos the Red. So soon as the 
 tournament was assembled, Messire Gawain and 
 the knights come to the assembly, and Messire 
 Gawain goeth to a Welsh knight and beareth 
 him to the ground, both him and his horse, all 
 in a heap. And the five come after at a great 
 gallop and each overthroweth his own, and 
 greatly pride they themselves of Messire Gawain. 
 Chaos the Red seeth Messire Gawain but know- 
 eth him not. He goeth toward him a full 
 career, and Messire Gawain receiveth him on 
 the point of his spear and hurtleth against him 
 so sore that he all to-brast his collarbone and 
 maketh the spear fly from his fist. And 
 Messire Gawain searcheth the fellowships of 
 one part and the other, and findeth not nor 
 encountereth no knight before him in his way 
 but he putteth him off his horse or woundeth 
 him, either by himself or by one of the five 
 knights, that make right great joy of that they 
 see him do. They show him the Lord of the 
 Moors that was coming with a full great fellow- 
 ship of folk. He goeth thitherward a great 
 gallop. They mell together either upon other
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 71 
 
 of their spears that they bent and all to-brast in The 
 flinders, and hurtle together so stoutly both of Lord 
 their horses and their bodies that the Lord of S^^ 
 the Moors loseth his stirrups and hath the 00rS 
 hinder saddlebow to-frushed, and falleth down 
 to the ground over his horse croup in such sort 
 that the peak of his helm dinteth a full palm's 
 breadth into the turf. And Messire Gawain 
 taketh the horse that was right rich and good, 
 maugre all of his fellowship, and giveth it to 
 one of the five knights that maketh it be led to 
 Camelot of a squire. Messire Gawain searcheth 
 the ranks on the one hand and on the other, 
 and doeth such feats of arms as never no knight 
 might do the same again. The five knights 
 also showed great hardiment, and did more 
 of arms that day than ever had they done 
 tofore, for not one of them but had overthrown 
 at least a single knight and won his horse. 
 The Lord of the Moors was mounted again on 
 another rich horse and had great shame for that 
 Messire Gawain had overthrown him. He 
 espieth Messire Gawain and goeth toward him 
 a great gallop and thinketh to avenge his shame. 
 They come together either on other with a 
 great shock, and Messire Gawain smiteth him 
 with the truncheon of his spear that he had 
 still left, in the midst of his breast, so that it 
 was all to-splintered. The Lord of the Moors 
 likewise again to-brast his spear upon him. 
 Messire Gawain draweth his sword and flingeth 
 the truncheon to the ground. The Lord of 
 the Moors doth likewise and eommandeth his 
 folk not to mell betwixt them twain, for never
 
 72 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain yet had he found no knight that he had not 
 defeateth conquered. They deal them great buffets on 
 " ira the helms, either upon other, in such sort that 
 the sparks fly thereout and their swords are 
 blunted. The buffets of Messire Gawain are 
 heavier than the other's, for he dealeth them so 
 mighty and horrible that the blood rayeth out 
 , from the Lord of the Moors by the mouth and 
 the nose so that his habergeon is all bloody 
 thereof and he may no more endure. There- 
 upon he yieldeth him prisoner to Messire 
 Gawain, that is right glad thereof and his five 
 knights likewise. The Lord of the Moors 
 goeth to his tent to alight, and Messire Gawain 
 with him and alighteth. And Messire Gawain 
 taketh the horse and saith to one of the knights, 
 * Keep this for me.' And all the knights are 
 repaired to their tents, and with one accord say 
 they all that the knight of the Red Shield with 
 the eagle of gold thereon hath done better than 
 we, and they ask the Lord of the Moors 
 whether he accordeth with them, and he saith 
 ' Aye.' ' Sir,' saith he to Messire Gawain, 
 ' You, then, are the warden of this castle of 
 Camelot.' ' Gramercy, lord ! ' saith Messire 
 Gawain. He calleth the five knights and saith 
 unto them: 'Lords, my will is that you be 
 there on my behalf and that you shall safeguard 
 the same by consent of the knights that are 
 here present.' * Sir, right gladly do we agree 
 thereto.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain to the 
 Lord of the Moors, ' I give you moreover as 
 my prisoner to the Widow Lady that harboured 
 me last night.' ' Sir,' saith he, ' This have
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 73 
 
 you no right to do. Assembly of tourney is Camelot 
 not war. Hence have you no right to imprison made 
 my body in castle, for well am I able to pay my e 
 ransom here. But tell me, what is your name ? ' 
 I am called Gawain.' Ha, Messire Gawain, 
 many a time have I heard tell of you albeit 
 never tofore have I seen you. But sith that 
 the castle of Camelot is in your keeping, I 
 promise you loyally that before a year and a 
 day neither the castle nor none of the Lady's 
 land need fear nought from me nor from any 
 other so far forth as I may hinder him, and 
 hereto do I pledge me in the presence of all 
 these knights that are here. And, so you 
 would have of me gold or silver, thereof will I 
 give you at your will.' ' Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, 'Gramercy! I consent freely to as 
 much as you have said.' Messire Gawain 
 taketh leave and turneth him again toward the 
 castle of Camelot, and sendeth by a squire the 
 horse of the Lord of the Moors to the daughter 
 of the Widow Lady, that made great joy thereof. 
 And the five knights drive before them the 
 horses they have taken booty. Whereof great 
 also was the joy. No need to wonder whether 
 Messire Gawain were well harboured that night 
 at the castle. He recounted to the Lady how 
 the castle was in the keeping of these knights. 
 When it came to morning-tide, Messire Gawain 
 took leave and departed from the castle, but not 
 before he had heard mass, for such was his 
 custom. The Widow Lady and her daughter 
 commend him to God, and the castle remaineth 
 in better keeping than he had found it.
 
 BRANCH IV 
 
 INCIPIT 
 
 Of T TERE beginneth another branch of the 
 Marin JTl Graal in the name of the Father, and 
 the f t i ie g on an d f ^e Holy Ghost. 
 Jealous J 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 And the story is silent here of the mother 
 of the Good Knight, and saith that Messire 
 Gawain goeth so as God and adventure lead 
 him toward the land of the rich King Fisher- 
 man. And he entereth into a great forest, all 
 armed, his shield at his neck and his spear in 
 his hand. And he prayeth Our Lord that He 
 counsel him of this holy errand he hath emprised 
 so as that he may honourably achieve it. He 
 rode until that he came at evensong to a hold 
 that was in the midst of the forest. And it 
 was compassed about of a great water, and had 
 about it great clumps of trees so as that scarce 
 with much pains might he espy the hall, that 
 was right large. The river that compassed it 
 about was water royal, for it lost not its right 
 name nor its body as far as the sea. And 
 Messire Gawain bethought him that it was the 
 hold of a worshipful man, and draweth him 
 thitherward to lodge. And as he drew anigh 
 the bridge of the hold, he looketh and seeth a 
 
 74
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 75 
 
 dwarf sitting on a high bench. He leapeth up : A ' 
 ' Messire Gawain,' saith he, ' Welcome may treacner- 
 you be ! ' ' Fair, sweet friend,' saith Messire j US ar r 
 Gawain,-' God give you good adventure ! You 
 know me, then ? ' saith he. ' Well do I know 
 you,' saith the dwarf, * For I saw you at the 
 tournament. At a better moment could you 
 not have come hither, for my lord is not here. 
 But you will find my lady, the fairest and most 
 gentle and most courteous in the realm of 
 L ogres, and as yet is she not of twenty years.' 
 * Fair friend,' saith Messire Gawain, ' What 
 name hath the lord of the hold ? ' ' Sir, he is 
 called of Little Gomeret. I will go tell my 
 lady that Messire Gawain is come, the good 
 knight, and bid her make great joy.' Howbeit, 
 Messire Gawain marvelleth much that the dwarf 
 should make him such cheer, for many knaveries 
 hath he found in many places within the bodies 
 of many dwarfs. The dwarf is come into the 
 chamber where the lady was. * Now, haste, 
 Lady ! ' saith he, ' Make great joy, for Messire 
 Gawain is come to harbour with you.' ' Certes,' 
 saith she, ' Of this am I right glad and right 
 sorry ; glad, for that the good knight will lie 
 here to-night, sorry, for that he is the knight 
 that my lord most hateth in the world. Where- 
 fore he warneth me against him for love of him, 
 for oftentimes hath he told me that never did 
 Messire Gawain keep faith with dame nor 
 damsel but he would have his will of them.' 
 ' Lady,' saith the dwarf, ' It is not true albeit it 
 is so said.'
 
 76 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Marin's 
 fair wife IX 
 
 Thereupon Messire Gawain entereth into the 
 courtyard and alighteth, and the lady cometh to 
 meet him and saith to him : ' May you be come 
 to joy and good adventure.' 'Lady,' saith 
 he, ' May you also have honour and good adven- 
 , ture.' The lady taketh him by the hand and 
 leadeth him into the hall and maketh him be 
 seated on a cushion of straw. And a squire 
 leadeth his horse to stable. And the dwarf 
 summoneth two other squires and doeth Messire 
 Gawain be disarmed, and helpeth them right 
 busily, and maketh fetch water to wash his 
 hands and his face. * Sir,' saith the dwarf, 
 ' Your fists are still all swollen of the buffets 
 you gave and received at the tournament.' 
 Messire Gawain answered him nought. And 
 the dwarf entereth into the chamber and 
 bringeth a scarlet robe furred of ermine and 
 maketh it be done on Messire Gawain. And 
 meat was made ready and the table set, and the 
 lady sate to eat. Many a time looked he upon 
 the lady by reason of her great beauty, and, had 
 he been minded to trust to his heart and his 
 eyes, he would have all to-changed his purpose ; 
 but so straitly was his heart bound up, and so 
 quenched the desires thereof, that nought would 
 he allow himself to think upon that might turn 
 
 to wickedness, for the sake of the high pilgrim- 
 age he had emprised. Rather 'gan he with- 
 draw his eyes from looking at the lady, that was 
 held to be of passing great beauty. After 
 meat Messire Gawain's bed was made, and he
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 77 
 
 apparelled himself to lie down. The lady bade The 
 him God give him good adventure, and he made <jwarrs 
 answer the like. When the lady was in her ecei 
 chamber, the dwarf said to Messire Gawain : 
 
 * Sir, I will lie before you, so as to keep you 
 company until you be asleep.' < Gramercy,' 
 saith he, ' And God allow me at some time to 
 reward you of the service.' The dwarf laid 
 himself down on a mattress before Messire 
 Gawain, and when he saw that he slept, he 
 ariseth as quietly as he may, and cometh to a 
 boat that was on the river that ran behind the 
 hall, and entereth thereinto and roweth up-stream 
 of the river. And he cometh to a fishery, 
 where was a right fair hall on a little eyot 
 enclosed by a marshy arm of the river. The 
 jealous knight was come thither for disport, and 
 lay in the midst of the hall upon a couch. The 
 dwarf cometh forth of his boat thereinto, and 
 lighteth a great candle in his fist and cometh 
 before the couch. * What ho, there ! ' saith 
 the dwarf, ' Are you sleeping ? ' And the other 
 waketh up sore startled, and asketh what is the 
 matter and wherefore he is come ? ' In God's 
 name,' saith he, ' You sleep not so much at your 
 ease as doth Messire Gawain ! ' ' How know 
 you that ? ' saith he. ' Well know I,' saith the 
 dwarf, ' For I left him but now in your hall, and 
 methinketh he and your lady are abed together 
 arm to arm.' ' How ? ' saith he, ' I forbade 
 her she should ever harbour Messire Gawain.' 
 
 * In faith,' said the dwarf, ' She hath made him 
 greater cheer than ever saw I her make to none 
 other ! But haste you and come, for great fear
 
 home 
 
 78 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Marin have I lest he carry her away ! ' ' By my 
 co 1 ^^ head ! ' saith the knight ; ' I will go not, how- 
 soever it be ! But she shall pay for it, even 
 though she go ! ' ' Then of wrong will it be ! ' 
 6aith the dwarf, ' as methinketh ! ' 
 
 III 
 
 Messire Gawain lay in the hall that was ware 
 of nought of this. He seeth that day hath 
 broken fair and clear, and ariseth up. The lady 
 cometh to the door of the hall and seeth not 
 the dwarf, whereby well she understandeth his 
 treachery. She saith to Messire Gawain, ' Sir, 
 for God's sake have pity upon me, for the 
 dwarf hath betrayed me ! And you withdraw 
 yourself forth of our forest and help not to rescue 
 me from the smart that my lord will make me 
 suffer, great sin will you have thereof. For 
 well know you that of right ought I not to be 
 held guilty toward my lord nor toward any 
 other, for aught that you have done toward me 
 or I toward you.' 'You say true,' saith Messire 
 Gawain. Thereupon is he armed, and taketh 
 leave of the lady and issueth forth of the fair 
 hold and setteth him in an ambush in the forest 
 nigh thereby. Straightway behold the jealous 
 knight where he cometh, he and his dwarf. 
 He entereth into the hall. The lady cometh 
 to meet him. ' Sir,' saith she, ' Welcome may 
 you be ! ' ' And you,' saith he, ' Shame and 
 evil adventure may you have, as the most 
 disloyal dame on live, for that this night have 
 you harboured in my hostel and in my bed 
 him that most have I warned you against ! '
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 79 
 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' In your hostel did I harbour Marin 
 him, but never hath your bed been shamed by beateth 
 me, nor never shall be ! ' < You lie ! ' saith he, hls wlfe 
 * like a false woman ! ' He armeth himself all 
 incontinent and maketh his horse be armed, then 
 maketh the lady go down and despoil her to her 
 shirt, that crieth him mercy right sweetly and 
 weepeth. He mounteth his horse and taketh 
 his shield and his spear, and maketh the lady 
 be taken of the dwarf by her tresses and maketh 
 her be led before him into the forest. And he 
 bideth above a pool where was a spring, and 
 maketh her enter into the water that flowed forth 
 full cold, and gathereth saplings in the forest for 
 rods and beginneth to smite and beat her across 
 upon her back and her breast in such sort that 
 the stream from the spring was all bloody there- 
 withal. And she began to cry out right loud, 
 until at last Messire Gawain heareth her and 
 draweth forth of the ambush wherein he was, 
 and cometh thitherward a great gallop. ' By 
 my faith,' saith the dwarf, * Look you here 
 where Messire Gawain cometh ! ' 'By my 
 faith,' saith the knight, * Now know I well 
 that nought is there here but treachery, and that 
 the matter is well proven ! ' By this time, 
 Messire Gawain is come, and saith : ' Avoid, 
 Sir knight ! Wherefore slay you the best lady 
 and most loyal that ever have I seen ? Never 
 tofore have I found lady that hath done me so 
 much honour, and this ought you to be well 
 pleased to know, for neither in her bear- 
 ing, nor in her speech, nor in herself found 
 I nought save all goodness only. Where-
 
 80 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Marin fore I pray you of franchise and of love 
 u t ^ iat y ou ^ or ^ ear y our wrath and that you set 
 Gawain ^ er ^ ort ^ ^ l ^ e water And so will I swear 
 on all the sacred hallows in this chapel that 
 never did I beseech her of evil nor wantonness 
 nor never had I no desire thereof.' The knight 
 was full of great wrath when he saw that 
 Messire Gawain had not gone his way thence, 
 and an anguish of jealousy burneth him heart 
 and body and overburdeneth him of folly and 
 outrage, and Messire Gawain that is still before 
 him moveth him to yet further transgression. 
 Natheless, for the fear that he hath of him he 
 speaketh to him : ' Messire Gawain,' saith he, 
 * I will set her forth thence on one condition, 
 that you joust at me and I at you, and, so you 
 conquer me, quit shall she be of misdoing and of 
 blame, but and if I shall conquer you, she shall 
 be held guilty herein. Such shall be the 
 judgment in this matter.' I ask no better,' 
 saith Messire Gawain. 
 
 IV 
 
 Thereupon, the knight biddeth the dwarf 
 make set the lady forth of the pool of the spring 
 and make her sit in a launde whereas they were 
 to joust. The knight draweth him back the 
 better to take his career, and Messire Gawain 
 cometh as fast as his horse may carry him 
 toward Marin the Jealous. And when Marin 
 seeth him coming, he avoideth his buffet and 
 lowereth his spear and cometh to his wife that 
 was right sore distraught, and wept as she that 
 suffered blameless, and smote her throughout
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 81 
 
 the body and slew her, and then turneth him Marin 
 again so fast as his horse might carry him toward slayeth 
 his hold. Messire Gawain seeth the damsel wl 
 dead and the dwarf that fleeth full speed after 
 his lord. He overtaketh him and trampleth him 
 under his horse's feet so that he bursteth his 
 belly in the midst. Then goeth he toward 
 the hold, for he thinketh to enter therein. But 
 he found the bridge shut up and the gate barred. 
 And Marin crieth out upos him : ' This shame 
 and misadventure hath befallen me along of you, 
 but you shall pay for it yet and I may live.' 
 Messire Gawain hath no mind to argue with 
 him, but rather draweth him back and cometh 
 again to where the lady lay dead, and setteth 
 her on the neck of his horse all bleeding, and 
 then beareth her to a chapel that was without 
 the entrance of the hold. Then he alighted 
 and laid her within the chapel as fairly as most 
 he might, as he that was sore grieved and wrath- 
 ful thereof. After that, he shut the door of 
 the chapel again as he that was afeared of the 
 body for the wild beasts, and bethought him that 
 one should come thither to set her in her shroud 
 and bury her after that he was departed. 
 
 Thereupon Messire Gawain departeth, sore 
 an-angered, for it seemed him that never had 
 no thing tofore befallen him that weighed so 
 heavy on his heart. And he rideth thoughtful 
 and down-cast through the forest, and seeth a 
 knight coming along the way he came. And 
 in strange fashion came he. He bestrode his
 
 82 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The horse backwards in right outlandish guise, face 
 Knight to tail, and he had his horse's reins right 
 a across his breast and the foot of his shield bore 
 he topmost and the chief bottom-most, and his 
 spear upside down and his habergeon and 
 chausses of iron trussed about his neck. He 
 seeth Messire Gawain coming beside the forest, 
 that hath great wonderment of him when he 
 seeth him. Natheless, when they draw nigh, 
 he turnelh him not to look at Messire Gawain, 
 but crieth to him aloud : ' Gentle knight, you 
 that come there, for God's sake do me no hurt, 
 for I am the Knight Coward.' ' By God ! ' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' You look not like a 
 man to whom any ought to do hurt ! ' And, 
 but for the heaviness of his heart and the sore 
 wrath that he had, he would have laughed at 
 his bearing with a right good will. ' Sir 
 knight,' saith Messire Gawain, ' nought have 
 you to be afeard of from me ! ' With that he 
 draweth anigh and looketh on him in the face 
 and the Knight Coward on him. ' Sir,' saith 
 he, ' Welcome may you be ! ' ' And you 
 likewise ! ' saith Messire Gawain. ' And 
 whose man are you, Sir knight ? ' ' The 
 Damsel's man of the Car.' 'Thereof I love 
 you the better,' saith Messire Gawain. ' God 
 be praised thereof,' saith the Knight Coward, 
 ' For now shall I have no fear of you.' * Nay, 
 truly,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Thereof be well 
 assured ! ' The Knight Coward seeth Messire 
 Gawain's shield and knoweth it. ' Ha, Sir,' 
 saith he, ' Now know I well who you are. 
 Now will I alight and ride the right way and
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 83 
 
 set my arms to rights. For you are Messire The 
 Gawain, nor hath none the right to claim this Party 
 shield but only you.' The knight alighteth and Km ht 
 setteth his armour to rights, and prayeth Messire 
 Gawain abide until he be armed. So he abideth 
 right willingly, and helpeth him withal. There- 
 upon behold you a knight where he cometh a 
 great gallop athwart the forest like a tempest, 
 and he had a shield party black and white. 
 ' Abide, Messire Gawain ! ' saith he, For on 
 behalf of Marin the Jealous do I defy you, that 
 hath slain his wife on your account.' * Sir 
 knight,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Thereof am I 
 right heavy of heart, for death had she not 
 deserved.' ' That availeth not,' saith the 
 Party Knight, ' For I hold you to answer for 
 the death. So I conquer you, the wrong is 
 yours ; but, and you conquer me, my lord 
 holdeth his blame and shame for known, and 
 will hold you to forfeit and you allow me to 
 escape hence on live.' ' To this will I not 
 agree,' saith Messire Gawain, For God well 
 knoweth that no blame have I herein.' ' Ha, 
 Messire Gawain,' saith the Knight Coward, 
 ' Fight him not as having affiance in me, for of 
 me will you have neither succour nor help ! ' , 
 * Heretofore,' saith Messire Gawain, ' have I 
 achieved adventures without you, and this also, 
 and God help me, will I yet achieve.' They 
 come together a full career and break their 
 lances on their shields, and Messire Gawain 
 hurtleth against the horse and passeth beyond 
 and overthroweth him and his horse together. 
 Then draweth he his sword and runneth upon
 
 yieldeth 
 
 84 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The him. And the knight crieth out : ' Hold, 
 Party Messire Gawain ! Are you minded to slay 
 eiHHpfh me ^ yield me conquered, for no mind have 
 I to die for another's folly, and so I cry you 
 mercy hereof.' Messire Gawain thinketh that 
 he will do him no further harm, for that of 
 right behoveth him do his lord's bidding. 
 Messire Gawain holdeth his hands, and he doth 
 him homage on behalf of his lord for his hold 
 and all of his land, and becometh his man. 
 
 VI 
 
 Thereupon the knight departeth and Messire 
 Gawain remaineth there. ' Sir,' saith the 
 Knight Coward to Messire Gawain, ' I have 
 no mind to be so hardy as are you ; for, so 
 God help me, had he defied me in such-wise as 
 he defied you, I should have fled away forth- 
 with, or elsewise I should have fallen at his 
 feet and cried him of mercy.' ' You wish for 
 nought but peace,' saith Messire Gawain. ' By 
 S. James,' saith the Coward, 'Therein are 
 you quite right, for of war cometh nought but 
 evil ; nor never have I had no hurt nor wound 
 save some branch of a tree or the like gave it 
 me, and I see your face all seamed and scarred 
 in many places. So God help me, of such 
 hardiesse make I but small account, and every 
 day I pray God that He defend me. And so 
 to God I commend you, for I am going after 
 my Damsel of the Car.' < Not thus shall you 
 go,' saith Messire Gawain, * save you tell me 
 first wherefore your Damsel of the Car beareth 
 her arm slung to her neck in such-wise.' ' Sir,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 85 
 
 this may I will tell you. With this hand Of 
 served she of the most Holy Graal the knight Marin s 
 that was in the hostel of King Fisherman that 
 would not ask whereof the Graal served ; for 
 that she held therein the precious vessel where- 
 into the glorious blood fell drop by drop from 
 the point of the lance, so that none other thing 
 is she minded to hold therein until such time as 
 she shall come back to the holy place where it 
 is. Sir,' saith the Knight Coward, ' Now, so 
 please you, may I well go hence, and see, here 
 is my spear that I give you, for nought is there 
 that I have to do therewithal.' Messire 
 Gawain taketh it, for his own was broken 
 short, and departeth from the knight and 
 commendeth him to God. And he goeth his 
 way a great pace, and Messire Gawain also 
 goeth amidst the forest, and full weary is he 
 and forspent with travail. And he rode until 
 the sun was due to set. And he meeteth a 
 knight that was coming athwart the forest and 
 came toward Messire Gawain a great gallop 
 like as he were smitten through the body, and 
 crieth over all the forest : ' What is your name, 
 Sir knight ? ' ' My name is Gawain.' ' Ha, 
 Messire Gawain,' saith the other, ' In your 
 service am I wounded thus ! ' ' How in my 
 service ? ' saith Messire Gawain. ' Sir, I was 
 minded to bury the damsel that you bare into 
 the chapel, and Marin the Jealous ran upon me 
 and wounded me in many places in such manner 
 as you see. And I had already dug a grave 
 with my sword to bury the body when he 
 seized it from me and abandoned it to the wild 
 vol. 1. F
 
 86 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The beasts. Now go I hence yonder to the chapel 
 Proud f a hermit that is in this forest to confess me, 
 aiden f or we jj j cnow j t j iat j ^ave not j on g to jj ve f or 
 
 that the wound lieth me so nigh my heart. But 
 I shall die the more easily now that I have 
 found you and shown you the hurt that hath 
 been done me for your sake.' ' Certes,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' this grieveth me.' 
 
 VII 
 
 Therewithal the knights depart asunder, and 
 Messire Gawain rode on until he found in the 
 forest a castle right fair 'and rich, and met an 
 ancient knight that was issued forth of the castle 
 for disport, and held a bird on his fist. He 
 saluteth Messire Gawain and he him again, and 
 he asked him what castle is this that he seeth 
 show so fair ? And he telleth him it is the 
 castle of the Proud Maiden that never deigned 
 ask a knight his name. ' And we, that are her 
 men, durst not do it on her behalf. But right 
 well will you be lodged in the castle, for right 
 courteous is she otherwise and the fairest that 
 ever any may know. Nor never hath she had 
 any lord, nor deigned to love no knight save 
 she heard tell that he was the best knight in the 
 world. And I will go to her with you of 
 courtesy.' 'Gramercy, Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain. They enter into the castle both twain 
 together, and alight at the mounting-stage before 
 the hall. The knight taketh Messire Gawain 
 by the hand and leadeth him up, and maketh 
 disarm him, and bringeth him a surcoat of scarlet 
 purfled of vair and maketh him do it on. Then
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 87 
 
 leadeth he the lady of the castle to Messire Three 
 Gawain, and he riseth up to meet her. ' Lady,' knights' 
 saith he, * Welcome may you be ! ' ' And you, omt)S 
 Sir, be welcome ! ' saith she, ' Will you see 
 my chapel ? ' ' Damsel,' saith he, ' At your 
 pleasure.' And she leadeth him and taketh 
 Messire Gawain by the hand, and he looketh at 
 the chapel and it well seemeth him that never 
 before had he come into none so fair nor so rich, 
 and he seeth four tombs within, the fairest that 
 he had seen ever. And on the right hand side 
 of the chapel were three narrow openings in the 
 wall that were wrought all about with gold and 
 precious stones, and beyond the three openings 
 he seeth great circlets of lighted candles that 
 were before three coffers of hallows that were 
 there, and the smell thereof was sweeter than 
 balm. ' Sir knight,' saith the damsel, ' See you 
 these tombs?' 'Yea, damsel,' saith Messire 
 Gawain. ' These three are made for the three 
 best knights in the world and the fourth for me. 
 The one hath for name Messire Gawain and 
 the second Lancelot of the Lake. Each of 
 them do I love for love's sake, by my faith! 
 And the third hath for name Perceval. Him 
 love I better than the other two. And within 
 these three openings are the hallows set for love 
 of them. And behold what I would do to them 
 and their three heads were therein ; and so I 
 might not do it to the three together, yet would 
 I do it to two, or even to one only.' She 
 setteth her hand toward the openings and 
 draweth forth a pin that was fastened into the 
 wall, and a cutting blade of steel droppeth down,
 
 88 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain's of steel sharper than any razor, and closeth up 
 tomb the three openings. * Even thus will I cut off 
 their heads when they shall set them into those 
 three openings thinking to adore the hallows 
 that are beyond. Afterward will I make take 
 the bodies and set them in the three coffins, and 
 do them be honoured and enshrouded right 
 richly, for joy of them in their life may I never 
 have. And when the end of my life shall be 
 come as God will, even so will I make set me 
 in the fourth coffin, and so shall I have com- 
 pany of the three good knights.' Messire 
 Gawain heard the word, whereof he marvelled 
 right sore, and would right fain that the night 
 were overpassed. They issue forth of the 
 chapel. The damsel maketh Messire Gawain 
 be greatly honoured that night, and there was 
 great company of knights within that served 
 him and helped guard the castle. They show 
 Messire Gawain much worship, but they knew 
 not that it was he, nor did none ask him, for such 
 was the custom of the castle. But well she knew 
 that he oftentimes passed to and fro amidst the 
 forest, and four of the knights that watched the 
 forest and the passers-by had she commanded 
 that and if any of these three knights should 
 pass they should bring him to her without gain- 
 say, and she would increase the land of each for 
 so doing. 
 
 VIII 
 
 Messire Gawain was in the castle that night 
 until the morrow, and went to hear mass in the 
 chapel or ever he removed thence. Afterward,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 89 
 
 when he had heard mass and was armed, he Gawain 
 
 took leave of the damsel and issued forth of the niairneth 
 
 castle as he that had no desire to abide there a knl S &t 
 
 longer. And he entereth into the forest and 
 
 rideth a long league Welsh and findeth two 
 
 knights sitting by a narrow pass in the forest. 
 
 And when they see him coming they leap up on 
 
 their horses all armed and come against Messire 
 
 Gawain, shields on sides and spears in fists. 
 
 Bide, Sir knight!' say they, *And tell us 
 
 your name without leasing ! ' ' Lords/ saith 
 
 he, ' Right willingly ! never hath my name 
 
 been with-holden when it hath been asked 
 
 for. I am called Gawain, King Arthur's 
 
 nephew.' * Nay, then, Sir, welcome may you 
 
 be ! One other demand have we to make of 
 
 you. Will you come with us to the lady in 
 
 the world that most desireth you, and will make 
 
 much joy of you at Castle Orguelleux where 
 
 she is ? ' ' Lord,' saith Messire Gawain, ' No 
 
 leisure have I at this time, for I have emprised 
 
 my way else- whither.' ' Sir,' say they, ' Needs 
 
 must you come thither without fail, for in such 
 
 wise hath she commanded us that we shall take 
 
 you thither by force an you come not of your 
 
 own good will.' ' I have told you plainly that 
 
 thither will I not go,' saith Messire Gawain. 
 
 With that, they leap forward and take him by 
 
 the bridle, thinking to lead him away by force. 
 
 And Messire Gawain hath shame thereof, and 
 
 draweth his sword and smiteth one of them in 
 
 such wrath that he cutteth off his arm. And 
 
 the other letteth the bridle go and turneth him 
 
 full speed ; and his fellow with him that was
 
 90 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain maimed. And away go they toward Castle 
 escapeth Orguelleux and the Proud Maiden of the castle 
 and show her the mischief that hath befallen 
 them. ' Who hath mis-handled you thus ? ' 
 saith she. ' Certes, lady, Messire Gawain.' 
 'Where found you him?' 'Lady,' say they, 
 * In the forest, where he came toward us a full 
 gallop, and was minded to pass by the narrows 
 of the way, when we bade him abide and come 
 to you. But come he would not. We offered 
 him force, and he smote my fellow's arm off.' 
 She biddeth a horn be sounded incontinent, and 
 the knights of the castle arm, and she com- 
 mandeth them follow Messire Gawain, and saith 
 that she will increase the land and the charge of 
 him that shall bring him to her. They were a 
 good fifteen knights armed. Just as they were 
 about to issue out of the castle, behold you. 
 forthwith two keepers of the forest where they 
 come, both twain of them smitten through the 
 body. The damsel and the knights ask who 
 hath done this to them, and they say it was 
 Messire Gawain that did it, for that they would 
 have brought him to the castle. ' Is he far 
 away ? ' saith the damsel. ' Yea,' say they, 
 ' Four great leagues Welsh.' ' Wherefore the 
 greater folly would it be to follow him,' saith 
 one of the sixteen knights, ' For nought should 
 we increase thereby save only our own shame 
 and hurt, and my Lady hath lost him through 
 her own default, for well know we that he it 
 was that lay within, for that he beareth a shield 
 sinople with a golden eagle.' ' Yea,' saith the 
 wounded knight, 'Without fail.' ' Is this then
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 91 
 
 he ? ' saith the damsel. * I know him well A brachet 
 now that I have lost him by my pride and by questeth 
 my outrage; nor never more will knight lie in 
 my hostel sith that he will be estranged for that 
 I ask not his name. But it is too late ! Herein 
 have I failed of this one for ever and ever save 
 God bring him back to me, and through this one 
 shall I lose the other two ! ' 
 
 IX 
 
 Herewithal cometh to a stay the pursuit of 
 Messire Gawain, that goeth his way and prayeth 
 God that He send him true counsel of that he 
 hath emprised, and that He allow him to come 
 into some place where he may hear true witting 
 of the hostel of King Fisherman. And while 
 he was thus thinking, he heareth a brachet 
 questing, and he cometh toward him a great 
 pace. When he is come anigh Messire Gawain 
 he setteth his nose to the ground and findeth a 
 track of blood through a grassy way in the 
 forest, and when Messire Gawain was minded 
 to leave the way where the track of blood was, 
 the brachet came over against him and quested. 
 Messire Gawain is minded not to abandon the 
 track, wherefore he followeth the brachet a 
 great pace until he cometh to a marish in the 
 midst of the forest, and seeth there in the 
 marish a house, ancient and decayed. He 
 passeth with the brachet over the bridge, that 
 was right feeble, and there was a great water 
 under it, and cometh to the hall, that was wasted 
 and old. And the brachet leaveth of his 
 questing. Messire Gawain seeth in the midst
 
 92 THE HOLY GRAAL 
 
 A knight of the house a knight that was stricken right 
 slain by through the breast unto the heart and there lay 
 
 Lancelot dead, a damsel was issuing forth of the 
 chamber and bare the winding-sheet wherein 
 to enshroud him. 'Damsel,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, * Good adventure may you have ! ' 
 The damsel that was weeping right tenderly, 
 saith to him : ' Sir, I will answer you not.' 
 She cometh toward the dead knight, thinking 
 that his wounds should have begun to bleed 
 afresh, but they did not. ' Sir,' saith she to 
 Messire Gawain, * Welcome may you be ! ' 
 ' Damsel,' saith he, ' God grant you greater joy 
 than you have ! ' And the damsel saith to the 
 brachet : ' It was not this one I sent you back 
 to fetch, but him that slew this knight.' * Know 
 you then, damsel, who hath slain him ? ' saith 
 Messire Gawain. ' Yea,' saith she, ' well ! 
 Lancelot of the Lake slew him in this forest, 
 on whom God grant me vengeance, and on all 
 them of King Arthur's court, for sore mischiei 
 and great hurt have they wrought us ! But, 
 please God, right well shall this knight yet 
 be avenged, for a right fair son hath he 
 whose sister am I, and so hath he many 
 good friends withal.' ' Damsel, to God I 
 commend you ! ' saith Messire Gawain. With 
 that, he issueth forth of the Waste Manor and 
 betaketh him back to the way he had abandoned, 
 and prayeth God grant he may find Lancelot 
 of the Lake.
 
 BRANCH V 
 
 INCIPIT 
 
 HERE beginneth again another branch of Gawain 
 the Graal in the name of the Father, ndet . h a 
 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. hermit 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Messire Gawain goeth his way and evening 
 draweth on ; and on his right hand was there 
 a narrow pathway that seemed him to be 
 haunted of folk. Thitherward goeth he, for 
 that he seeth the sun waxeth low, and findeth 
 in the thick of the forest a great chapel, and 
 without was a right fair manor. Before the 
 chapel was an orchard enclosed of a wooden 
 fence that was scarce so high as a tall man. 
 A hermit that seemed him a right worship- 
 ful man was leaning against the fence, and 
 looked into the orchard and made great cheer 
 from time to time. He seeth Messire Gawain, 
 and cometh to meet him, and Messire Gawain 
 alighteth. 'Sir,' saith the hermit, ' Wel- 
 come may you be.' ' God grant you the 
 joy of Paradise,' saith Messire Gawain. The 
 hermit maketh his horse be stabled of a squire, 
 and then taketh him by the hand and maketh 
 him sit beside him to look on the orchard. 
 
 93
 
 94 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A boy ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' Now may you see 
 rideth that whereof I was making cheer.' Messire 
 a lion Q awam looketh therewithal and seeth two 
 damsels and a squire and a child that were 
 guarding a lion. ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' Here 
 see you my joy, which is this child. Saw you 
 ever so fair a child of his age ? ' Never,' 
 saith Messire Gawain. They go into the 
 orchard to sit, for the evening was fair and 
 calm. He maketh disarm him, and thereupon 
 the damsel bringeth him a surcoat of right rich 
 silk furred of ermine. And Messire Gawain 
 looketh at the child that rode upon the lion 
 right fainly. ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' None 
 durst guard him or be master over him save this 
 child only, and yet the lad is not more than 
 six years of age. Sir, he is of right noble 
 lineage, albeit he is the son of the most cruel 
 man and most felon that is. Marin the Jealous 
 is his father, that slew his wife on account of 
 Messire Gawain. Never sithence that his 
 mother was dead would not the lad be with his 
 father, for well knoweth he that he slew her of 
 wrong. And I am his uncle, so I make him 
 be tended here of these damsels and these two 
 squires, but no one thing is there that he so 
 much desireth to see as Messire Gawain. For 
 after his father's death ought he of right to be 
 Messire Gawain's man. Sir, if any tidings you 
 know of him, tell us them.' ' By my faith, 
 Sir,' saith he, ' Tidings true can I give you. 
 Lo, there is his shield and his spear, and 
 himself shall you have this night for guest.' 
 ' Fair sir, are you he ? ' saith the hermit. * So
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 95 
 
 men call me,' saith Messire Gawain, 'And the Meliotof 
 lady saw I slain in the forest, whereof was I Logres 
 sore an-angered.' 
 
 11 
 
 ' Fair nephew,' saith the hermit, * See here 
 your desire. Come to him and make him 
 cheer.' The lad alighteth of the lion and 
 smiteth him with a whip and leadeth him to 
 the den and maketh the door so that he may 
 not issue forth, and cometh to Messire Gawain, 
 and Messire Gawain receiveth him between his 
 arms. ' Sir,' saith the child, ' Welcome may 
 you be ! ' 'God give you growth of honour ! ' 
 saith Messire Gawain. He kisseth him and 
 maketh cheer with him right sweetly. ' Sir,' 
 saith the hermit, ' He will be of right your 
 man, wherefore ought you to counsel him and 
 help him, for through you came his mother by 
 her death, and right sore need will he have of 
 your succour.' The child kneeleth before him 
 and holdeth up his joined hands. ' Look, Sir,' 
 saith the hermit, ' Is he not right pitiful ? He 
 offereth you his homage.' And Messire Gawain 
 setteth his hands within his own : ' Certes,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' Both your honour and 
 your homage receive I gladly, and my succour 
 and my counsel shall you have so often as you 
 shall have need thereof. But fain would I 
 know your name ? ' ' Sir, I am called Meliot 
 of Logres.' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' He 
 saith true, for his mother was daughter of a 
 rich earl of the kingdom of Logres.'
 
 96 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A squire 
 of Perce- ni 
 
 val s Messire Gawain was well harboured the night 
 and lay in a right fair house and right rich. In 
 the morning, when Messire Gawain had heard 
 mass, the hermit asked him, 'Whitherward go 
 you ? ' and he said, ' Toward the land of King 
 Fisherman, and God allow me.' 'Messire 
 Gawain,' saith the hermit, ' Now God grant 
 you speed your business better than did the 
 other knighfe that was there before you, through 
 whom are all the lands fallen into sorrow, and 
 the good King Fisherman languisheth thereof.' 
 ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' God grant me 
 herein to do His pleasure.' Thereupon he 
 taketh his leave and goeth his way, and the 
 hermit commendeth him to God. And Mes- 
 sire Gawain rideth on his journeys until he hath 
 left far behind the forest of the hermitage, and 
 findeth the fairest land in the world and the 
 fairest meadowlands that ever had he seen, and 
 it lasted a good couple of great leagues Welsh. 
 And he seeth a high forest before him, and 
 meeteth a squire that came from that quarter, 
 and seeth that he is sore downcast and right 
 simple. ' Fair friend,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 * Whence come you ? ' ' Sir,' saith he, ' I come 
 from yonder forest down below.' ' Whose 
 man are you ? ' saith Messire Gawain. ' I 
 belong to the worshipful man that owneth the 
 forest.' ' You seem not over joyful,' saith 
 Messire Gawain. ' Sir, I have right to be 
 otherwise,' saith the squire, ' For he that loseth 
 his good lord ought not to be joyful.' 'And
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 97 
 
 who is your lord ? ' ' The best in the world.' Joseus 
 
 < Is he dead ? * saith Messire Gawain. < Nay, mourneth 
 
 of a truth, for that would be right sore grief to 
 
 the world, but in joy hath he not been this long 
 
 time past.' ' And what name hath he ? ' 
 
 ' They call him Parlui there where he is.' 
 
 ' And where then, is he, may I know ? ' 'In 
 
 no wise, Sir, of me ; but so much may I well 
 
 tell you that he is in this forest, but I ought not 
 
 to learn you of the place more at large, nor 
 
 ought I to do any one thing that may be against 
 
 my master's will.' Messire Gawain seeth that 
 
 the squire is of passing comeliness and seeth 
 
 him forthwith bow his head toward the ground 
 
 and the tears fall from his eyes. Thereupon 
 
 he asketh what aileth him. ' Sir,' saith he, 
 
 ' Never may I have joy until such time as I be 
 
 entered into a hermitage to save my soul. For 
 
 the greatest sin that any man may do have I 
 
 wrought ; for I have slain my mother that was 
 
 a Queen, for this only that she told me I should 
 
 not be King after my father's death, for that 
 
 she would make me monk or clerk, and that 
 
 my other brother, who is younger-born than I, 
 
 should have the kingdom. When my father 
 
 knew that I had slain my mother, he withdrew 
 
 himself into this forest, and made a hermitage 
 
 and renounced his kingdom. I have no will to 
 
 hold the land for the great disloyalty that I 
 
 have wrought, and therefore am I resolved that 
 
 it is meeter I should set my body in banishment 
 
 than my father.' ' And what is your name ? ' 
 
 saith Messire Gawain. ' Sir, my name is Joseus, 
 
 and I am of the lineage of Joseph of Abarimacie.
 
 98 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A hermit King Pelles is my father, that is in this forest, 
 
 tendeth an d King Fisherman my uncle, and the King of 
 
 Perceval c ast i e Mortal, and the Widow Lady of Came- 
 
 lot my aunt, and the Good Knight Par-lui-fet is 
 
 of this lineage as near akin as I.' 
 
 IV 
 
 With that, the squire departeth and taketh 
 leave of Messire Gawain, and he commendeth 
 him to God and hath great pity of him, and 
 entereth into the forest and goeth great pace, 
 and findeth the stream of a spring that ran with 
 a great rushing, and nigh thereunto was a way 
 that was much haunted. He abandoneth his 
 high-way, and goeth all along the stream from 
 the spring that lasteth a long league plenary, 
 until that he espieth a right fair house and right 
 fair chapel well enclosed within a hedge of 
 wood. He looketh from without the entrance 
 under a little tree and seeth there sitting one of 
 the seemliest men that he had ever seen of his 
 age. And he was clad as a hermit, his head 
 white and no hair on his face, and he held his 
 hand to his chin, and made a squire hold a 
 destrier right fair and strong and tall, and a 
 shield with a sun thereon ; and he was looking 
 at a habergeon and chausses of iron that he had 
 made bring before him. And when he seeth 
 Messire Gawain he dresseth him over against 
 him and saith : Fair sir,' saith he, ' Ride 
 gently and make no noise, for no need have we 
 of worse than that we have.' And Messire 
 Gawain draweth rein, and the worshipful man 
 saith to him : ' Sir, for God's sake take it not
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 99 
 
 of discourtesy ; for right fainly would I have Perceval 
 
 besought you to harbour had I not good cause sore s ^ c ^ 
 
 to excuse me, but a knight lieth within yonder 
 
 sick, that is held for the best knight in the 
 
 world. Wherefore fain would I he should 
 
 have no knight come within this close, for and 
 
 if he should rise, as sick as he is, none might 
 
 prevent him nor hold him back, but presently he 
 
 should arm him and mount on his horse and 
 
 joust at you or any other ; and so he were here, 
 
 well might we be the worse thereof. And 
 
 therefore do I keep him so close and quiet 
 
 within yonder, for that I would not have him 
 
 see you nor none other, for and he were so soon 
 
 to die, sore loss would it be to the world.' 
 
 * Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, * What name hath 
 
 he ? ' * Sir,' saith he, ' He hath made him of 
 
 himself, and therefore do I call him Par-lui-fet, 
 
 of dearness and love.' * Sir,' saith Messire 
 
 Gawain, * May it not be in any wise that I 
 
 may see him ? ' 'Sir,' saith the hermit, ' I 
 
 have told you plainly that nowise may it not be. 
 
 No strange man shall not see him within yonder 
 
 until such time as he be whole and of good 
 
 cheer.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Will 
 
 you in nowise do nought for me whatsoever I 
 
 may say ? ' ' Certes, sir, no one thing is there 
 
 in the world that I would tell him, save he 
 
 spake first to me.' Hereof is Messire Gawain 
 
 right sorrowful that he may not speak to the 
 
 knight. ' Sir,' saith he to the hermit, ' Of what 
 
 age is the knight, and of what lineage ? ' ' Of 
 
 the lineage of Joseph of Abarimacie the Good 
 
 Soldier.'
 
 ioo THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain 
 rideth on v 
 
 Thereupon behold you a damsel that cometh 
 to the door of the chapel and calleth very low 
 to the hermit, and the hermit riseth up and 
 taketh leave of Messire Gawain, and shutteth 
 the door of the chapel ; and the squire leadeth 
 away the destrier and beareth the arms within 
 door and shutteth the postern door of the house. 
 And Messire abideth without and knoweth not 
 of a truth whether it be the son of the Widow 
 Lady, for many good men there be of one 
 lineage. He departeth all abashed and entereth 
 again into the forest. The history telleth not 
 all the journeys that he made. Rather, I tell 
 you in brief words that he wandered so far by 
 lands and kingdoms that he found a right fair 
 land and a rich, and a castle seated in the midst 
 thereof. Thitherward goeth he and draweth 
 nigh the castle and seeth it compassed about of 
 high walls, and he seeth the entrance of the 
 castle far without. He looketh and seeth a lion 
 chained that lay in the midst of the entrance to 
 the gate, and the chain was fixed in the wall. 
 And on either side of the gate he seeth two 
 Serjeants of beaten copper that were fixed to 
 the wall, and by engine shot forth quarrels from 
 their cross-bows with great force and great 
 wrath. Messire Gawain durst not come anigh 
 the gate for that he seeth the lion and these 
 folk. He looketh above on the top of the wall 
 and seeth a sort of folk that seemed him to be 
 of holy life, and saw there priests clad in albs 
 and knights bald and ancient that were clad in
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 101 
 
 ancient seeming garments. And in each crenel The 
 of the wall was a cross and a chapel. Above Castle 
 the wall, hard by an issue from a great hall that ? naues f 
 was in the castle, was another chapel, and above 
 the chapel was a tall cross, and on either side of 
 this cross another that was somewhat lower, and 
 on the top of each cross was a golden eagle. 
 The priests and the knights were upon the walls 
 and knelt toward this chapel, and looked up to 
 heaven and made great joy, and well it seemed 
 him that they beheld God in Heaven with His 
 Mother. Messire Gawain looketh at them 
 from afar, for he durst not come anigh the castle 
 for these that shoot their arrows so strongly that 
 none armour might defend him. Way seeth he 
 none to right nor left save he go back again. 
 He knoweth not what to do. He looketh 
 before him and seeth a priest issue forth of the 
 gateway. ' Fair sir,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 ' Welcome may you be ! ' ' Good adventure to 
 you also,' saith the good man, ' What is your 
 pleasure ? ' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, * So 
 please you, I would fain ask you to tell me 
 what castle is this ? ' 'It is,' saith he, ' the 
 entrance to the land of the rich King Fisher- 
 man, and within yonder are they beginning the 
 service of the Most Holy Graal.' ' Allow me 
 then,' saith Messire Gawain, ' that I may pass 
 on further, for toward the land of King Fisher- 
 man have I emprised my way.' ' Sir,' saith 
 the priest, ' I tell you of a truth that you may 
 not enter the castle nor come nigher unto the 
 Holy Graal, save you bring the sword where- 
 with S. John was beheaded.' 'What?' saith 
 VOL. i. G
 
 102 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain Messire Gawain, * Shall I be evilly entreated 
 swappeth an( i I bring it not ? ' 'So much may you well 
 horses b e ]i eve me herein,' saith the priest, And I tell 
 you moreover that he who hath it is the fellest 
 misbelieving King that lives. But so you bring 
 the sword, this entrance will be free to you, and 
 great joy will be made of you in all places 
 wherein King Fisherman hath power.' ' Then 
 must I needs go back again,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' Whereof I have right to be sore 
 sorrowful.' ' So ought you not to be,' saith 
 the priest, ' For, so you bring the sword and 
 conquer it for us, then will it be well known 
 that you are worthy to behold the Holy Graal. 
 But take heed you remember him who would 
 not ask whereof it served.' Thereupon Messire 
 Gawain departeth so sorrowful and full of 
 thought that he remembereth not to ask in what 
 land he may find the sword nor the name of the 
 King that hath it. But he will know tidings 
 thereof when God pleaseth. 
 
 VI 
 
 The history telleth us and witnesseth that he 
 rode so far that he came to the side of a little 
 hill, and the day was right fair and clear. He 
 looketh in front of him before a chapel and 
 seeth a tall burgess sitting on a great destrier 
 that was right rich and fair. The burgess 
 espieth Messire Gawain and cometh over against 
 him, and saluteth him right courteously and 
 Messire Gawain him. ' Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' God give you joy.' * Sir,' saith the 
 goodman, ' Right sorrowful am I of this that you
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 103 
 
 have a horse so lean and spare of flesh. Better and 
 
 would it become so worshipful man as you seem pledgeth 
 
 to be that he were better horsed.' * Sir,' saith his word 
 
 Messire Gawain, I may not now amend it, 
 
 whereof am I sorry ; another shall I have 
 
 when it shall please God.' ' Fair sir,' saith 
 
 the burgess, ' Whither are you bound to go ? ' 
 
 * I go seek the sword wherewith the head of 
 
 S. John Baptist was cut off.' 'Ha, sir,' saith 
 
 the burgess, ' You are running too sore a peril. 
 
 A King hath it that believeth not in God, and 
 
 is sore fell and cruel. He is named Gurgalain, 
 
 and many knights have passed hereby that went 
 
 thither for the sword, but never thence have 
 
 they returned. But, and you are willing to 
 
 pledge me your word that so God grant you 
 
 to conquer the sword, you will return hither and 
 
 show it me on your return, I will give you this 
 
 destrier, which is right rich, for your own.' 
 
 'Will you?' saith Messire Gawain, 'Then are 
 
 you right courteous, for you know me not.' 
 
 ' Certes, sir,' saith he, ' So worshipful man seem 
 
 you to be, that you will hold well to this that 
 
 you have covenanted with me.' 'And to this 
 
 do I pledge you my word,' saith Messire 
 
 Gawain, ' that, so God allow me to conquer it, 
 
 I will show it to you on my return.' 
 
 VII 
 
 Thereupon, the burgess alighteth and mount- 
 eth upon Messire Gawain's horse, and Messire 
 Gawain upon his, and taketh leave of the burgess 
 and goeth his way and entereth into a right 
 great forest beyond the city, and rideth until
 
 104 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A fair sundown and findeth neither castle nor city. 
 tent And he findeth a meadow in the midst of the 
 forest, right broad, and it ran on beyond, like as 
 there were the stream of a spring in the midst. 
 He looketh toward the foot of the meadow 
 close by the forest, and seeth a right large tent, 
 whereof the cords were of silk and the pegs of 
 ivory fixed in the ground, and the tops of the 
 poles of gold and upon each was a golden eagle. 
 The tent was white round about, and the hang- 
 ing above was of the richest silk, the same as 
 red samite. Thitherward goeth Messire Gawain 
 and alighteth before the door of the tent, and 
 smiteth off the bridle of his horse, and letteth 
 him feed on the grass, and leaneth his spear and 
 his shield without the tent, and looketh narrowly 
 within and seeth a right rich couch of silk and 
 gold, and below was a cloth unfolded as it were 
 a feather-bed, and above a coverlid of ermine 
 and vair without any gold, and at the head of 
 the couch two pillows so rich that fairer none 
 ever saw, and such sweet smell gave they forth 
 that it seemed the tent was sprinkled of balm. 
 And round about the couch were rich silken 
 cloths spread on the ground. And at the head 
 of the couch on the one side and the other were 
 two seats of ivory, and upon them were two 
 cushions stuffed with straw, right rich, and at 
 the foot of the couch, above the bed, two 
 candlesticks of gold wherein were two tall 
 waxen tapers. A table was set in the midst of 
 the tent, that was all of ivory banded of gold, 
 with rich precious stones, and upon the table 
 was the napkin spread and the basin of
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 105 
 
 silver and the knife with an ivory handle and Another 
 the rich set of golden vessels. Messire Gawain dwarf 
 seeth the rich couch and setteth him down 
 thereon all armed in the midst, and marvelleth 
 him wherefore the tent is so richly apparelled 
 and yet more that therein he seeth not a soul. 
 Howbeit, he was minded to disarm himself. 
 
 VIII 
 
 Thereupon, behold you, a dwarf that entereth 
 the tent and saluteth Messire Gawain. Then 
 he kneeleth before him and would fain disarm 
 him. Then Messire Gawain remembereth him 
 of the dwarf through whom the lady was slain. 
 * Fair sweet friend, withdraw yourself further 
 from me, for as at this time I have no mind to 
 disarm.' ' Sir,' saith the dwarf, * Without mis- 
 giving may you do so, for until to-morrow have 
 ycu no occasion to be on your guard, and never 
 were you more richly lodged than to-night you 
 shall be, nor more honourably.' With that 
 Messire Gawain beginneth to disarm him, and 
 the dwarf helpeth him. And when he was 
 disarmed, he setteth his arms nigh the couch 
 and his spear and sword and shield lying within 
 the tent, and the dwarf taketh a basin of silver 
 and a white napkin, and maketh Messire 
 Gawain wash his hands and his face. After- 
 ward, he unfasteneth a right fair coffer, and 
 draweth forth a robe of cloth of gold furred of 
 ermine and maketh Messire Gawain be clad 
 therewithal. ' Sir,' saith the dwarf, ' Be not 
 troubled as touching your destrier, for you will 
 have him again when you rise in the morning.
 
 106 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The I will lead him close hereby to be better at 
 damsels easej anc j then will I return to you.' And 
 . e . Messire Gawain giveth him leave. There- 
 upon, behold you, two squires that bear in the 
 wine and set the meats upon the table and make 
 Messire Gawain sit to eat, and they have great 
 torches lighted on a tall cresset of gold and 
 depart swiftly. Whilst Messire Gawain was 
 eating, behold you, thereupon, two damsels that 
 come into the tent and salute him right courte- 
 ously. And he maketh answer, the fairest he 
 may. ' Sir,' say the damsels, * God grant you 
 force and power to-morrow to destroy the evil 
 custom of this tent.' 'Is there then any evil 
 custom herein, damsel ? ' saith he. ' Yea, sir, 
 a right foul custom, whereof much it grieveth 
 me, but well meseemeth that you are the knight 
 to amend it by the help of God.' 
 
 IX 
 
 Therewith he riseth from the table, and one 
 of the squires was apparelled to take away the 
 cloths. And the two damsels take him by the 
 hand and lead him without the tent, and they 
 set them down in the midst of the meadow. 
 * Sir,' saith the elder damsel, ' What is your 
 name ? ' ' Damsel,' saith he, ' Gawain is my 
 name.' ' Thereof do we love you the better, 
 for well we know that the evil custom of the 
 tent shall be done away on condition that you 
 choose to-night the one of us two that most 
 shall please you.' ' Damsel, gramercy,' saith 
 he. Thereupon he riseth up, for he was weary, 
 and draweth him toward the couch, and the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 107 
 
 damsels help him and wait upon his going to Gawain 
 bed. And when he was lien down, they seated W1 U not 
 themselves before him and lighted the taper and ear 
 leant over the couch and proffered him much 
 service. Messire Gawain answered them naught 
 save * Gramercy,' for he was minded to sleep 
 and take his rest. ' By God,' saith the one 
 to the other, ' And this were Messire Gawain, 
 King Arthur's nephew, he would speak to us 
 after another sort, and more of disport should 
 we find in him than in this one. But this is a 
 counterfeit Gawain, and the honour we have 
 done him hath been ill bestowed. Who careth ? 
 To-morrow shall he pay his reckoning.' 
 
 Thereupon, lo you, the dwarf where he 
 cometh. ' Fair friend,' say they, * Keep good 
 watch over this knight that he flee not away, 
 for he goeth a-cadging from hostel to hostel 
 and maketh him be called Messire Gawain, 
 but Messire Gawain meseemeth is he not. 
 For, and it were he, and we had been minded 
 to watch with him two nights, he would have 
 wished it to be three or four.' ' Damsel,' saith 
 the dwarf, ' He may not flee away save he go 
 afoot, for his horse is in my keeping.' And 
 Messire Gawain heareth well enough that 
 which the damsels say, but he answereth them 
 never a word. Thereupon they depart, and 
 say : God give him an ill night, for an evil 
 knight and a vanquished and recreant, and 
 command the dwarf that he move not on any 
 occasion. Messire Gawain slept right little the
 
 108 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 An evil night, and so soon as he saw the day, arose and 
 custom f 0U nd his arms ready and his horse that had 
 been led all ready saddled before the tent. He 
 armed himself as swiftly as he might, and the 
 dwarf helpeth him and saith to him : ' Sir, you 
 have not done service to our damsels as they 
 would fain you should, wherefore they make sore 
 complaint of you.' ' That grieveth me,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, 'if that I have deserved it/ 
 ' It is great pity,' saith the dwarf, 'when knight 
 so comely as be you is so churlish as they say.' 
 ' They may say their pleasure,' saith he, ' for 
 it is their right. I know not to whom to 
 render thanks for the good lodging that I have 
 had save to God, and if I shall see the lord of 
 the tent or the lady I shall con them much 
 thanks thereof.' 
 
 XI 
 
 Thereupon, lo you, where two knights come 
 in front of the tent on their horses, all armed, 
 and see Messire Gawain that was mounted and 
 had his shield on his neck and his spear in his 
 fist, as he that thinketh to go without doing 
 aught further. And the knights come before 
 him : ' Sir,' say they, ' Pay for your lodging ! 
 Last night did we put ourselves to misease on 
 your account and left you the tent and all that 
 is therein at your pleasure, and now you are 
 fain to go in this fashion.' ' What pleaseth it 
 you that I should do?' saith Messire Gawain. 
 ' It is meet I should requite you of my victual 
 and the honour of the tent.' Thereupon, lo 
 you, where the two damsels come that were of
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 109 
 
 right great beauty. ' Sir Knight,' say they, Gawain 
 
 * Now shall we see whether you be King slayeth 
 Arthur's nephew ! ' By my faith,' saith the ^^ hts 
 dwarf, ' Methinketh this is not he that shall 
 
 do away the evil custom whereby we lose the 
 coming hither of knights ! Albeit if he may 
 do it, I will forego mine ill will toward him.' 
 Messire Gawain thus heard himself mocked by 
 day as well as by night and had great shame 
 thereof. He seeth that he may not depart 
 without a fight. One of the knights drew to 
 backward and was alighted ; the other was 
 upon his horse all armed, his shield on his neck 
 and grasping his spear in his fist. And he 
 cometh toward Messire Gawain full career and 
 Messire Gawain toward him, and smiteth him 
 so wrathfully that he pierceth his shield and 
 pinneth his shield to his arm and his arm to his 
 rib and thrusteth his spear into his body, and 
 hurtleth against him so sore that he beareth him 
 to the ground, him and his horse together at 
 the first blow. 'By my head! Look at 
 Messire Gawain the counterfeit ! Better doth 
 he to-day than he did last night ! ' He draweth 
 back his spear, and pulleth forth his sword and 
 runneth upon him, when the knight crieth 
 him mercy and saith that he holdeth himself 
 vanquished. Messire Gawain bethinketh him 
 what he shall do and whether the damsels are 
 looking at him. * Sir knight,' saith the elder, 
 
 * Need you not fear the other knight until such 
 time as this one be slain, nor will the evil 
 custom be done away so long as this one is on 
 live. For he is the lord of the other and
 
 no THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A sturdy because of the shameful custom hath no knight 
 strife come hither this right long space.' ' Hearken 
 now,' saith the knight, 'the great disloyalty of 
 her ! Nought in the world is there she loved 
 so well in seeming as did she me, and now 
 hath she adjudged me my death ! ' ' Again 
 I tell you plainly,' saith she, ' that never will 
 it be done away unless he slay you.' There- 
 upon Messire Gawain lifteth the skirt of his 
 habergeon and thrusteth his sword into his 
 body. Thereupon, lo you, the other knight, 
 right angry and sorrowful and full of wrath 
 for his fellow that he seeth dead, and 
 cometh in great rage to Messire Gawain 
 and Messire Gawain to him, and so stoutly 
 they mell together that they pierce the shields 
 and pierce the habergeons and break the flesh 
 of the ribs with the points of their spears, and 
 the bodies of the knights and their horses 
 hurtle together so stiffly that saddle-bows are 
 to-frushed and stirrups loosened and girths to- 
 brast and fewtres splintered and spears snapped 
 short, and the knights drop to the ground with 
 such a shock that the blood flieth forth at mouth 
 and nose. In the fall that the knight made, 
 Messire Gawain brake his collar-bone in the 
 hurtle. Thereupon the dwarf crieth out : 
 ' Damsel, your counterfeit Gawain doth it 
 well ! ' * Our Gawain shall he be,' say they, 
 ' so none take him from us ! ' Messire Gawain 
 draweth from over the knight and cometh 
 toward his horse, and right fain would he have 
 let the knight live had it not been for the 
 damsels. For the knight crieth him mercy
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL m 
 
 and Messire Gawain had right great pity of Light 
 him. Howbeit the damsels cry to him ; ' And * ove 
 you slay him not, the evil custom will not be , . 
 overthrown.' ' Sir,' saith the younger damsel, 
 'And you would slay him, smite him in the 
 sole of his foot with your sword, otherwise will 
 he not die yet.' ' Damsel,' saith the knight, 
 ' Your love of me is turned to shame ! Never 
 more ought knight to set affiance nor love on 
 damsel. But God keep the other that they be 
 not such as you ! ' Messire Gawain marvelleth 
 at this that the damsel saith to him, and draweth 
 him back, and hath great pity of the knight, and 
 cometh to the other side whither the horses 
 were gone, and taketh the saddle of the knight 
 that was dead and setteth it on his own horse 
 and draweth him away. And the wounded 
 knight was remounted, for the dwarf had helped 
 him, and fleeth toward the forest a great gallop. 
 And the damsels cry out, ' Messire Gawain, 
 your pity will be our death this day! For the 
 Knight without Pity is gone for succour, and if 
 he escape, we shall be dead and you also ! ' 
 
 XII 
 
 Thereupon Messire Gawain leapeth on his 
 horse and taketh a spear that was leaning against 
 the tent and followeth the knight in such sort 
 that he smiteth him to the ground. Afterward 
 he saith to him : * No further may you go ! ' 
 ' That grieveth me,' saith the knight, ' For before 
 night should I have been avenged of you and 
 of the damsels.' And Messire Gawain draw- 
 eth his sword and thrusteth it into the sole of
 
 ii2 THE HOLY GRAAL 
 
 Achilles' his foot a full palm's breadth, and the knight 
 * cin stretcheth himself forth and dieth. And Messire 
 Gawain returneth back, and the damsels make 
 great joy of him and tell him that never other- 
 wise could the evil custom have been done 
 away. For, and he had gone his way, all 
 would have been to begin over again, for he is 
 of such kind seeing that he was of the kindred 
 of Achilles, and that all his ancestors might 
 never otherwise die. And Messire Gawain 
 alighteth, and the damsels would have searched 
 the wound in his side, and he telleth them that 
 he taketh no heed thereof. ' Sir,' say they, 
 'Again do we proffer you our service, for well we 
 know that you are a good knight. Take for your 
 lady-love which of us you will.' ' Gramercy, 
 damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Your love do 
 I refuse not and to God do I commend you.' 
 * How ? ' say the damsels, ' Will you go your 
 way thus ? Certes, meeter were it to-day for 
 you to sojourn in this tent and be at ease.' ' It 
 may not be,' saith he, ' for leisure have I none 
 to abide here.' ' Let him go ! ' saith the 
 younger, ' for the falsest knight is he of the 
 world.' 'By my head,' saith the elder, 'it 
 grieveth me that he goeth, for his stay would 
 have pleased me well.' Therewithal Messire 
 Gawain departeth and is remounted on his 
 horse. Then he entereth into the forest.
 
 BRANCH VI 
 
 INCIPIT 
 
 ANOTHER branch that Josephus telleth us The 
 recounteth and witnesseth of the Holy King of 
 Graal, and here beginneth for us in the name of WaJes 
 the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Messire Gawain rode until he came to a 
 forest, and seeth a land right fair and rich in a 
 great enclosure of wall, and round the land and 
 country-side within, the wall stretched right 
 far away. Thitherward he cometh and seeth 
 but one entrance thereinto, and he seeth the 
 fairest land that ever he beheld and the best 
 garnished and the fairest orchards. The country 
 was not more than four leagues Welsh in length, 
 and in the midst thereof was a tower on a high 
 rock. And on the top was a crane that kept 
 watch over it and cried when any strange man 
 came into the country. Messire Gawain rode 
 amidst the land and the crane cried out so loud 
 that the King of Wales heard it, that was 
 lord of the land. Thereupon, behold you, two 
 knights that come after Messire Gawain and say
 
 ii 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain to him : ' Hold, Sir Knight, and come speak 
 is tricked w ith the king of this country, for no strange 
 knight passeth through his land but he seeth 
 him.' ' Lords,' saith Messire Gawain, * I 
 knew not of the custom. Willingly will I go.' 
 They led him thither to the hall where the 
 King was, and Messire Gawain alighteth and 
 setteth his shield and his spear leaning against a 
 mounting stage and goeth up into the hall. The 
 King maketh great joy of him and asketh him 
 whither he would go ? ' Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' Into a country where I was never.' 
 ' Well I know,' saith the king, ' where it is, for 
 that you are passing through my land. You 
 are going to the country of King Gurgalain to 
 conquer the sword wherewith S. John was 
 beheaded.' 
 
 II 
 
 * Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' You say true. 
 God grant me that I may have it ! ' ' That 
 may not be so hastily,' saith the King, ' For you 
 shall not go forth of my land before a year.' 
 ' Ha, Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' For God's 
 sake, mercy ! ' * None other mercy is here,' 
 saith the King. Straightway he maketh Messire 
 Gawain be disarmed and afterward maketh bring 
 a robe wherewith to apparel him, and showeth 
 him much honour. But ill is he at ease, where- 
 fore he saith to him : ' Sir, wherefore are you fain 
 to hold me here within so long ? ' ' For this, that 
 I know well you will have the sword and will 
 not return by me.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 ' I pledge you my word that, so God give me to
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 115 
 
 conquer it, I will return by you.' 'And I will A 
 
 allow you to depart from me at your will. For wondrous 
 
 nought is there that I so much desire to see.' He ountain 
 
 lay the night therewithin, and on the morrow 
 
 departed thence and issued forth of the land 
 
 right glad and joyful. And he goeth toward 
 
 the land of King Gurgalain. And he entereth 
 
 into a noisome forest at the lower part and 
 
 findeth at the right hour of noon a fountain that 
 
 was enclosed of marble, and it was overshadowed 
 
 of the forest like as it were with leaves down 
 
 below, and it had rich pillars of marble all round 
 
 about with fillets of gold and set with precious 
 
 stones. Against the master-pillar hung a vessel 
 
 of gold by a silver chain, and in the midst of the 
 
 fountain was an image as deftly wrought as if it 
 
 had been alive. When Messire appeared at 
 
 the fountain, the image set itself in the water 
 
 and was hidden therewith. Messire Gawain 
 
 goeth down, and would fain have taken hold on 
 
 the vessel of gold when a voice crieth out to 
 
 him : ' You are not the Good Knight unto 
 
 whom is served thereof and who thereby is made 
 
 whole.' Messire Gawain draweth him back 
 
 and seeth a clerk come to the fountain that was 
 
 young of age and clad in white garments, and he 
 
 had a stole on his arm and held a little square 
 
 vessel of gold, and cometh to the little vessel 
 
 that was hanging on the marble pillar and looketh 
 
 therein, and then rinseth out the other little 
 
 golden vessel that he held, and then setteth the 
 
 one that he held in the place of the other.
 
 n6 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A miracle 
 
 in 
 
 Therewith, behold, three damsels that come 
 of right great beauty, and they had white 
 garments and their heads were covered with 
 white cloths, and they carried, one, bread in a 
 little golden vessel, and the other wine in a 
 little ivory vessel, and the third flesh in one of 
 silver. And they come to the vessel of gold 
 that hung against the pillar and set therein that 
 which they have brought, and afterward they 
 make the sign of the cross over the pillar and 
 come back again. But on their going back, it 
 seemed to Messire Gawain that only one was 
 there. Messire Gawain much marvelled him 
 of this miracle. He goeth after the clerk that 
 carried the other vessel of gold, and saith to 
 him : 'Fair Sir, speak to me.' ' What is your 
 pleasure ? ' saith the clerk. ' Whither carry 
 you this golden vessel and that which is therein ? ' 
 ' To the hermits,' saith he, ' that are in this 
 forest, and to the Good Knight that lieth sick 
 in the house of his uncle King Hermit.' * Is 
 it far from hence ? ' saith Messire Gawain. 
 * Yea, Sir,' saith the clerk, ' to yourself. But 
 I shall be there sooner than will you.' ' By 
 God,' saith Messire Gawain, ' I would fain I 
 were there now, so that I might see him and 
 speak to him.' 'That believe I well,' saith the 
 clerk, ' But now is the place not here.' Messire 
 Gawain taketh leave and goeth his way and 
 rideth until he findeth a hermitage and seeth 
 the hermit therewithout. He was old and bald 
 and of good life. * Sir,' saith he to Messire
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 117 
 
 Gawain, * Whither go you ? ' * To the land of King 
 King Gurgalain, Sir ; is this the way ? ' ' Yea,' Gurgalain 
 saith the hermit, ' But many knights have passed 
 hereby that hither have never returned.' ' Is 
 it far ? ' saith he. ' He and his land are hard 
 by, but far away is the castle wherein is the 
 sword.' Messire Gawain lay the night there- 
 within. On the morrow when he had heard 
 mass, he departed and rode until he cometh to 
 the land of King Gurgalain, and heareth the 
 folk of the land making dole right sore. And 
 he meeteth a knight that cometh a great pace to 
 a castle. 
 
 IV 
 
 * Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, * Wherefore 
 make the folk of this castle such dole, and they 
 of all this land and all this country? For I 
 hear them weep and beat their palms together 
 on every side.' ' Sir,' saith he, * I will tell 
 you. King Gurgalain had one only son of 
 whom he hath been bereft by a Giant that hath 
 done him many mischiefs and wasted much of 
 his land. Now hath the King let everywhere 
 be cried that to him that shall bring back his 
 son and slay the Giant he will give the fairest 
 sword of the world, the which sword he hath, 
 and of all his treasure so much as he may be 
 fain to take. As at this time, he findeth no 
 knight so hardy that he durst go ; and much 
 more blameth he his own law than the law of 
 the Christians, and he saith that if any Christian 
 should come into his land, he would receive 
 him.' Right joyous is Messire Gawain of
 
 n8 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A these tidings, and departeth from the castle and 
 priceless r ideth on until he cometh to the castle of King 
 Gurgalain. The tidings come to the King that 
 there is a Christian come into his castle. The 
 King maketh great joy thereof, and maketh him 
 come before him and asketh him of his name 
 and of what land he is. ' Sir,' saith he, ' My 
 name is Gawain and I am of the land of King 
 Arthur.' ' You are,' saith he, ' of the land of 
 the Good Knight. But of mine own land may 
 I find none that durst give counsel in a matter I 
 have on hand. But if you be of such valour 
 that you be willing to undertake to counsel me 
 herein, right well will I reward you. A Giant 
 hath carried off my son whom I loved greatly, 
 and so you be willing to set your body in 
 jeopardy for my son, I will give you the 
 richest sword that was ever forged, whereby 
 the head of S. John was cut off. Every day 
 at right noon is it bloody, for that at that hour 
 the good man had his head cut off.' The 
 King made fetch him the sword, and in the 
 first place showeth him the scabbard that was 
 loaded of precious stones and the mountings 
 were of silk with buttons of gold, and the hilt 
 in likewise, and the pommel of a most holy 
 sacred stone that Enax, a high emperor of 
 Rome, made be set thereon. Then the King 
 draweth it forth of the scabbard, and the sword 
 came forth thereof all bloody, for it was the 
 hour of noon. And he made hold it before 
 Messire Gawain until the hour was past, and 
 thereafter the sword becometh as clear as an 
 emerald and as green. And Messire looketh
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 119 
 
 at it and coveteth it much more than ever he A cruel 
 did before, and he seeth that it is as long as Giant 
 another sword, albeit, when it is sheathed in the 
 scabbard, neither scabbard nor sword seemeth 
 of two spans length. 
 
 ' Sir Knight,' saith the King, < This sword 
 will I give you, and another thing will I do 
 whereof you shall have joy.' ' Sir,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, 'And I will do your need, if 
 God please and His sweet Mother.' There- 
 upon he teacheth him the way whereby the 
 Giant went, and the place where he had his 
 repair, and Messire Gawain goeth his way 
 thitherward and commendeth himself to God. 
 The country folk pray for him according to 
 their believe that he may back repair with life 
 and health, for that he goeth in great peril. He 
 hath ridden until that he cometh to a great high 
 mountain that lay round about a land that the 
 Giant had all laid waste, and the enclosure of 
 the mountain went round about for a good three 
 leagues Welsh, and therewithin was the Giant, 
 so great and cruel and horrible that he feared 
 no man in the world, and for a long time had 
 he not been sought out by any knight, for none 
 durst won in that quarter. And the pass of the 
 mountain whereby he went to his hold was so 
 strait that no horse might get through ; where- 
 fore behoveth Messire Gawain leave his horse 
 and his shield and spear and to pass beyond the 
 mountain by sheer force, for the way was like a 
 cut between sharp rocks. He is come to level
 
 120 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain ground and looketh before him and seeth a hold 
 slayeth that the Giant had on the top of a rock, and 
 . , espieth the Giant and the lad where they were 
 sitting on the level ground under a tree. Messire 
 Gawain was armed and had his sword girt on, 
 and goeth his way thitherward. And the 
 Giant seeth him coming and leapeth up and 
 taketh in hand a great axe that was at his side, 
 and cometh toward Messire Gawain all girded 
 for the fight and thinketh to smite him a two- 
 handed stroke right amidst the head. But 
 Messire Gawain swerveth aside and bestirreth 
 him with his sword and dealeth him a blow 
 such that he cut off his arm, axe and all. And 
 the Giant returneth backward when he feeleth 
 himself wounded, and taketh the King's son by 
 the neck with his other hand and grippeth him 
 so straitly that he strangleth and slayeth him. 
 Then he cometh back to Messire Gawain and 
 falleth upon him and grippeth him sore strait by 
 the flanks, and lifteth him three foot high off the 
 ground and thinketh to carry him to his hold 
 that was within the rock. And as he goeth 
 thither he falleth, Messire Gawain and all, and 
 he lieth undermost. Howbeit he thinketh to 
 rise, but cannot, for Messire Gawain sendeth 
 him his sword right through his heart and be- 
 yond. Afterward, he cut off the head and 
 cometh there where the King's child lay dead, 
 whereof is he right sorrowful. And he beareth 
 him on his neck, and taketh the Giant's head 
 in his hand and returneth there where he had 
 left his horse and shield and spear, and mounteth 
 and cometh back and bringeth the King's son
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 121 
 
 before the King and the head of the Giant Gurgalain 
 hanging. cooketh 
 
 6 6 strange 
 
 VI meat 
 
 The King and all they of the castle come to 
 meet him with right great joy, but when they see 
 the young man dead, their great joy is turned into 
 right great dole thereby. And Messire Gawain 
 alighteth before the castle and presenteth to the 
 King his son and the head of the Giant. ' Certes,' 
 saith he, ' might I have presented him to you 
 on live, much more joyful should I have been 
 thereof.' ' This believe I well,' saith the King, 
 ' Howbeit, of so much as you have done am I 
 well pleased, and your guerdon shall you have.' 
 And he looketh at his son and lamenteth him 
 right sweetly, and all they of the castle after 
 him. Thereafter he maketh light a great show 
 of torches in the midst of the city, and causeth 
 a great fire to be made, and his son be set thereon 
 in a brazen vessel all full of water, and maketh 
 him be cooked and sodden over this fire, and 
 maketh the Giant's head be hanged at the 
 gate. 
 
 VII 
 
 When his son was well cooked, he maketh 
 him be cut up as small as he may, and biddeth 
 send for all the high men of his land and giveth 
 thereof to each so long as there was any left. 
 After that, he maketh bring the sword and 
 giveth it to Messire Gawain, and Messire 
 Gawain thanketh him much thereof. ' More 
 yet will I do for you,' saith the King. He 
 biddeth send for all the men of his land to come
 
 122 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The to his hall and castle. * Sir/ saith he, ' I am 
 King of f a ; n to baptize me.' 'God be praised thereof,' 
 ^! es saith Messire Gawain. The King biddeth 
 send for a hermit of the forest, and maketh him- 
 self be baptized, and he had the name of Archis 
 in right baptism ; and of all them that were not 
 , willing to believe in God, he commanded 
 
 Messire Gawain that he should cut off their 
 heads. 
 
 VIII 
 
 In such wise was this King baptized that 
 was the lord of Albanie, by the miracle of God 
 and the knighthood of Messire Gawain, that 
 departeth from the castle with right great joy 
 and rideth until he is come into the land of the 
 King of Wales and bethought him he would go 
 fulfil his pledge. He alighted before the hall, 
 and the King made right great cheer when he 
 saw him come. And Messire Gawain hath 
 told him : ' I come to redeem my pledge. Be- 
 hold, here is the sword.' And the King taketh 
 it in his hand and looketh thereon right fainly, 
 and afterward maketh great joy thereof and 
 setteth it in his treasury and saith : ' Now 
 have I done my desire.' * Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' Then have you betrayed me.' ' Bj 
 my head,' saith the King, ' That have I not, 
 for I am of the lineage of him that beheaded 
 S. John, wherefore have I a better right to it 
 than you.' ' Sir,' say the knights to the King, 
 ' Right loyal and courteous knight is Messire 
 Gawain, wherefore yield him that which he hath 
 conquered, for sore blame will you have of evil-
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 123 
 
 treating him.' * I will yield it,' saith the King, The 
 ' on such condition that the first damsel that crafty 
 maketh request of him, what thing soever she burgess 
 may require and whatsoever it be shall not be 
 denied of him.' And Messire Gawain agreeth 
 thereto, and of this agreement thereafter did he 
 suffer much shame and anguish and was blamed 
 of many knights. And the King yielded him 
 the sword. He lay the night therewithin, and 
 on the morrow so soon as he might, he departed 
 and rode until he came without the city where 
 the burgess gave him the horse in exchange for 
 his own. And he remembered him of his 
 covenant, and abideth a long space and leaneth 
 him on the hilt of his sword until the burgess 
 cometh. Therewithal made they great joy the 
 one of the other, and Messire showeth him the 
 sword, and the burgess taketh it and smiteth his 
 horse with his spurs and goeth a great gallop 
 toward the city. And Messire Gawain goeth 
 after a great pace and crieth out that he doth 
 great treachery. ' Come not after me into the 
 city,' saith the burgess, ' for the folk have a 
 commune.' Howbeit, he followeth after into 
 the city for that he might not overtake him 
 before, and therein he meeteth a great procession 
 of priests and clerks that bore crosses and 
 censers. And Messire Gawain alighteth on 
 account of the procession, and seeth the burgess 
 that hath gone into the church and the pro- 
 cession after. ' Lords,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 * Make yield me the sword whereof this burgess 
 that hath entered your church hath plundered 
 me.' ' Sir,' say the priests, ' Well know we
 
 i2 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The that it is the sword wherewith S. John was 
 Castle beheaded, wherefore the burgess hath brought it 
 
 BU t0 us t0 set W ^ our na ^ ows m yonder, and 
 saith that it was given him.' ' Ha, lords ! ' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' Not so ! I have but 
 shown it to him to fulfil my pledge. And he 
 hath carried it off by treachery.' Afterward 
 he telleth them as it had befallen him, and the 
 priests make the burgess give it up, and with 
 great joy Messire Gawain departeth and re- 
 mounteth his horse and issueth forth of the 
 city. He hath scarce gone far before he 
 meeteth a knight that came all armed, as fast 
 as his horse could carry him, spear in rest. 
 
 * Sir,' saith he to Messire Gawain, ' I have 
 come to help you. We were told that you had 
 been evil-entreated in the city, and I am of the 
 castle that succoureth all strange knights that 
 pass hereby whensoever they have need thereof.' 
 
 * Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Blessed be the 
 castle ! I plain me not of the trespass for that 
 right hath been done me. And how is the 
 castle named ? ' * Sir, they call it the Castle of 
 the Ball. Will you return back thither with 
 me, since you are delivered, and lodge there 
 the night with Messire, that is a right worship- 
 ful man and of good conditions ? ' Therewith 
 they go together to the castle, that was right 
 fair and well-seeming. They enter in, and 
 when they were within, the Lord, that sate on a 
 mounting-stage of marble, had two right fair 
 daughters, and he made them play before him 
 with a ball of gold, and looked at them right 
 fainly. He seeth Messire Gawain alight and
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 125 
 
 cometh to meet him and maketh him great cheer. The 
 Afterward, he biddeth his two daughters lead dwarf's 
 him into the hall. brother 
 
 IX 
 
 When he was disarmed, the one brought him 
 a right rich robe, and after meat the two maidens 
 sit beside him and make him right great cheer. 
 Thereupon behold you, a dwarf that issueth 
 forth of a chamber, and he holdeth a scourge. 
 And he cometh to the damsels and smiteth them 
 over their faces and their heads. ' Rise up,' 
 saith he, ' ye fools, ill-taught ! Ye make cheer 
 to him whom you ought to hate ! For this is 
 Messire Gawain, King Arthur's nephew, by 
 whom was your uncle slain ! ' Thereupon they 
 rise, all ashamed, and go into the chamber, and 
 Messire Gawain remaineth there sore abashed. 
 But their father comforteth him and saith : 
 ' Sir, be not troubled for aught that he saith, 
 for the dwarf is our master ; he chastiseth and 
 teacheth my daughters, and he is wroth for that 
 you have slain his brother, whom you slew the 
 day that Marin slew his wife on your account, 
 whereof we are right sorrowful in this castle.' 
 ' So also am I,' saith Messire Gawain, ' But no 
 blame of her death have I nor she, as God 
 knoweth of very truth.' 
 
 Messire Gawain lay the night at the castle, 
 and departed on the morrow, and rode on his 
 journeys until he cometh to the castle at the 
 entrance to the land of the rich King Fisher-
 
 126 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain man, where he seeth that the lion is not at 
 returneth the entrance nor were the Serjeants of copper 
 shooting. And he seeth in great procession 
 the priests and them of the castle coming to 
 meet him, and he alighteth, and a squire was 
 apparelled ready, that took his armour and his 
 horse, and he showeth the sword to them that 
 were come to meet him. It was the hour of 
 noon. He draweth the sword, and seeth it all 
 bloody, and they bow down and worship it, and 
 sing Te Deum laudamus. With such joy was 
 Messire Gawain received at the castle, and he set 
 the sword back in his scabbard, and kept it right 
 anigh him, and made it not known in all the 
 places where he lodged that it was such. The 
 priests and knights of the castle make right 
 great joy, and pray him right instantly that so 
 God should lead him to the castle of King 
 Fisherman, and the Graal should appear before 
 him, he would not be so forgetful as the other 
 knights. And he made answer that he would 
 do that which God should teach him. 
 
 'Messire Gawain,' saith the master of the 
 priests, that was right ancient : * Great need 
 have you to take rest, for meseemeth you have 
 had much travail.' ' Sir, many things have I 
 seen whereof I am sore abashed, nor know I 
 what castle this may be.' * Sir,' saith the 
 priest, ' This castle is the Castle of Inquest, for 
 nought you shall ask whereof it shall not tell 
 you the meaning, by the witness of Joseph, the 
 good clerk and good hermit through whom we
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 127 
 
 have it, and he knoweth it by annunciation of Riddles 
 the Holy Ghost.' < By my faith,' saith Messire darkly 
 Gawain, * I am much abashed of the three reveale(1 
 damsels that were at the court of King Arthur. 
 Two of them carried, the one the head of a 
 king and the other of a queen, and they had in 
 a car an hundred and fifty heads of knights 
 whereof some were sealed in gold, other in 
 silver, and the rest in lead.' True,' saith the 
 priest, 'For as by the queen was the king betrayed 
 and killed, and the knights whereof the heads 
 were in the car, so saith she truth as Joseph 
 witnesseth to us, for he saith of remembrance 
 that by envy was Adam betrayed, and all the 
 people that were after him and the people that 
 are yet to come shall have dole thereof for 
 ever more. And for that Adam was the first 
 man is he called King, for he was our earthly 
 father, and his wife Queen. And the heads 
 of the knights sealed in gold signify the new 
 law, and the heads sealed in silver the old, and 
 the heads sealed in lead the false law of the 
 Sarrazins. Of these three manner of folk is 
 the world stablished.' ' Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' I marvel of the castle of the Black 
 Hermit, there where the heads were all taken 
 from her, and the Damsel told me that the 
 Good Knight should cast them all forth when 
 he should come. And the other folk that are 
 therewithin are longing for him.' ' Well know 
 you,' saith the priest, ' that on account of the 
 apple that Eve gave Adam to eat, all went to 
 hell alike, the good as well as the evil, and to 
 cast His people forth from hell did God become
 
 128 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 More man, and cast these souls forth from hell of His 
 nddles bounty and of His puissance. And to this doth 
 Joseph make us allusion by the castle of the 
 Black Hermit, which signifieth hell, and the 
 Good Knight that shall thence cast forth them 
 that are within. And I tell you that the Black 
 Hermit is Lucifer, that is Lord of hell in 
 like manner as he fain would have been Lord 
 of Paradise. Sir,' saith the priest, ' By this 
 significance is he fain to draw the good hermits 
 on behalf of the new law wherein the most part 
 are not well learned, wherefore he would fain 
 make allusion by ensample.' ' By God,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' I marvel much of the Dam- 
 sel that was all bald, and said that never should 
 she have her hair again until such time as the 
 Good Knight should have achieved the Holy 
 Graal.' ' Sir,' saith the good man, ' Each day 
 full bald behoveth her to be, ever since bald 
 she became when the good King fell into 
 languishment on account of the knight whom 
 he harboured that made not the demand. The 
 bald damsel signifieth Joseu Josephus, that was 
 bald before the crucifixion of Our Lord, nor 
 never had his hair again until such time as He 
 had redeemed His people by His blood and by 
 His death. The car that she leadeth after her 
 signifieth the wheel of fortune, for like as the 
 car goeth on the wheels, doth she lay the burden 
 of the world on the two damsels that follow 
 her ; and this you may see well, for the fairest 
 followeth afoot and the other was on a sorry 
 hackney, and they were poorly clad, whereas 
 the third had costlier attire. The shield
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 129 
 
 whereon was the red cross, that she left at and 
 the court of King Arthur, signifieth the most darker 
 holy shield of the rood that never none durst 
 lift save God alone.' Messire Gawain heareth 
 these significances and much pleaseth him thereof, 
 and thinketh him that none durst set his hand 
 to nor lift the shield that hung in the King's 
 hall, as he had heard tell in many places ; 
 wherefore day by day were they waiting for the 
 Good Knight that should come for the shield. 
 
 XII 
 
 Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' By this that 
 you tell me you do me to wit that whereof I 
 was abashed, but I have been right sorrowful of 
 a lady that a knight slew on my account though 
 no blame had she therein, nor had I.' ' Sir,' 
 saith the priest, ' Right great significance was 
 there in her death, for Josephus witnesseth us 
 that the old law was destroyed by the stroke of 
 a sword without recover, and to destroy the old 
 law did Our Lord suffer Himself to be smitten 
 in the side of a spear. By this stroke was the 
 old law destroyed, and by His crucifixion. 
 The lady signifieth the old law. Would you 
 ask more of me ? ' saith the priest. ' Sir,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' I met a knight in the 
 forest that rode behind before and carried his 
 arms upside down. And he said that he was 
 the Knight Coward, and his habergeon carried 
 he on his neck, and so soon as he saw me he 
 set his arms to rights and rode like any other 
 knight.' ' The law was turned to the worse,' 
 saith the priest, ' before Our Lord's crucifixion,
 
 130 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Yet more and so soon as He was crucified, was again 
 riddles restored to right.' Even yet have I not asked 
 you of all,' saith Messire Gawain, ' For a knight 
 came and jousted with me party of black and 
 white, and challenged me of the death of the 
 lady on behalf of her husband, and told me and 
 I should vanquish him that he and his men 
 would be my men. I did vanquish him and 
 he did me homage.' ' It is right,' saith the 
 priest, ' On account of the old law that was 
 destroyed were all they that remained therein 
 made subject, and shall be for ever more. Wish 
 you to enquire of aught further ? ' saith the 
 priest. * I marvel me right sore,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, 'of a child that rode a lion in a 
 hermitage, and none durst come nigh the lion 
 save the child only, and he was not of more 
 than six years, and the lion was right fell. The 
 child was the son of the lady that was slain on 
 my account.' ' Right well have you spoken,' 
 saith the priest, ' in reminding me thereof. 
 The child signifieth the Saviour of the world 
 that was born under the old law and was cir- 
 cumcised, and the lion whereon he rode signifieth 
 the world and the people that are therein, and 
 beasts and birds that none may govern save by 
 virtue of Him alone.' ' God ! ' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' How great joy have I at heart of 
 that you tell me ! Sir, I found a fountain in 
 a forest, the fairest that was ever seen, and an 
 image had it within that hid itself when it saw 
 me, and a clerk brought a golden vessel and 
 took another golden vessel that hung at the 
 column that was there, and set his own in place
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 131 
 
 thereof. Afterward, came three damsels and The 
 filled the vessel with that they had brought ^, ec J[ e ' 
 thither, and straightway meseemed that but one p raa i 
 was there.' ' Sir,' saith the priest, ' I will tell 
 you no more thereof than you have heard, and 
 therewithal ought you to hold yourself well 
 apaid, for behoveth not discover the secrets of 
 the Saviour, and them also to whom they are 
 committed behoveth keep them covertly.' 
 
 XIII 
 
 ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' I would fain 
 ask you of a King. When I had brought him 
 his son back dead, he made him be cooked and 
 thereafter made him be eaten of all the folk of 
 his land.' ' Sir,' saith the priest, * Already had 
 he leant his heart upon Jesus Christ, and would 
 fain make sacrifice of his flesh and blood to Our 
 Lord, and for this did he make all those of his 
 land eat thereof, and would fain that their 
 thoughts should be even such as his own. And 
 therefore was all evil belief uprooted from his 
 land, so that none remained therein.' ' Blessed 
 be the hour,' saith Messire Gawain, 'that I 
 came herewithin ! ' ' Mine be it ! ' saith the 
 priest. Messire Gawain lay therewithin the 
 night, and right well lodged was he. The 
 morrow, when he had heard mass, he departed 
 and went forth of the castle when he had taken 
 leave. And he findeth the fairest land of the 
 world and the fairest meadow-grounds that were 
 ever seen, and the fairest rivers and forests 
 garnished of wild deer and hermitages. And 
 he rideth until he cometh one day as evening
 
 132 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The was about to draw on, to the house of a hermit, 
 Castle and the house was so low that his horse might 
 ; * not enter therein. And his chapel was scarce 
 taller, and the good man had never issued 
 therefrom of forty years past. The Hermit 
 putteth his head out of the window when he 
 seeth Messire Gawain and saith, ' Sir, welcome 
 may you be,' saith he. ' Sir, God give you 
 joy, Will you give me lodging to-night ? ' saith 
 Messire Gawain. ' Sir, herewithin none har- 
 boureth save the Lord God alone, for earthly 
 man hath never entered herewithin but me this 
 forty year, but see, here in front is the castle 
 wherein the good knights are lodged.' 'What 
 is the castle?' ' Sir, the good King Fisher- 
 man's, that is surrounded with great waters and 
 plenteous in all things good, so the lord were in 
 joy. But behoveth them harbour none there 
 save good knights only.' ' God grant,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' that I may come therein ! ' 
 
 i 
 
 XIV 
 
 When he knoweth that he is nigh the castle, 
 he alighteth and confesseth him to the hermit, 
 and avoweth all his sins and repenteth him 
 thereof right truly. ' Sir,' saith the hermit, 
 ' Now forget not, so God be willing to allow 
 you, to ask that which the other knight forgat, 
 and be not afeard for aught you may see at the 
 entrance of the castle, but ride on without mis- 
 giving and adore the holy chapel you will see 
 appear in the castle, there where the flame of 
 the Holy Spirit descendeth each day for the 
 most Holy Graal and the point of the lance
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 133 
 
 that is served there.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Three 
 Gawain, * God teach me to do His will ! ' bridges 
 He taketh leave, and goeth his way and rideth 
 until the valley appeareth wherein the castle is 
 seated garnished of all things good, and he seeth 
 appear the most holy chapel. He alighteth, and 
 then setteth him on his knees and boweth him 
 down and adoreth right sweetly. Thereafter 
 he remounteth and rideth until he findeth a 
 sepulchre right rich, and it had a cover over, 
 and it lay very nigh the castle, and it seemed to 
 be within a little burial ground that was enclosed 
 all round about, nor were any other tombs 
 therein. A voice crieth to him as he passeth 
 the burial-ground : ' Touch not the sepulchre, 
 for you are not the Good Knight through whom 
 shall it be known who lieth therein.' Messire 
 Gawain passeth beyond when he had heard the 
 voice and draweth nigh the entrance of the 
 castle, and seeth that three bridges are there, 
 right great and right horrible to pass. And 
 three great waters run below, and him seemeth 
 that the first bridge is a bowshot in length and 
 in breadth not more than a foot. Strait seemeth 
 the bridge and the water deep and swift and 
 wide. He knoweth not what he may do, for 
 it seemeth him that none may pass it, neither 
 afoot nor on horse. 
 
 XV 
 
 Thereupon, lo you, a knight that issueth forth 
 of the castle and cometh as far as the head of 
 the bridge, that was called the Bridge of the 
 Eel, and shouteth aloud : ' Sir knight, pass 
 
 VOL. 1. 1
 
 134 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The Eel quickly before it shall be already night, for they 
 Bridge f the castle are awaiting us.' ' Ha,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' Fair sir, but teach me how 
 I may pass hereby.' ' Certes, Sir Knight, no 
 passage know I to this entrance other than this, 
 and if you desire to come to the castle, pass on 
 without misgiving.' Messire Gawain hath shame 
 for that he hath stayed so long, and forthinketh 
 him of this that the Hermit told him, that of 
 no mortal thing need he be troubled at the 
 entrance of the castle, and therewithal that he 
 is truly confessed of his sins, wherefore behoveth 
 him be the less adread of death. He crosseth 
 and blesseth himself and commendeth himself to 
 God as he that thinketh to die, and so smiteth 
 his horse with his spurs and findeth the bridge 
 wide and large as soon as he goeth forward, for 
 by this passing were proven most of the knights 
 that were fain to enter therein. Much mar- 
 velled he that he found the bridge so wide that 
 had seemed him so narrow. And when he had 
 passed beyond, the bridge, that was a draw- 
 bridge, lifted itself by engine behind him, for 
 the water below ran too swiftly for other bridge 
 to be made. The knight draweth himself back 
 beyond the great bridge and Messire Gawain 
 cometh nigh to pass it, and this seemed him as 
 long as the other. And he seeth the water 
 below, that was not less swift nor less deep, and, 
 so far as he could judge, the bridge was of ice, 
 feeble and thin, and of a great height above the 
 water, and he looked at it with much marvelling, 
 yet natheless not for that would he any the 
 more hold back from passing on toward the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 135 
 
 entrance. He goeth forward and commendeth The 
 himself to God, and cometh in the midst thereof gateway 
 and seeth that the bridge was the fairest and 
 richest and strongest he had ever beheld, and 
 the abutments thereof were all full of images. 
 When he was beyond the bridge, it lifted itself 
 up behind him as the other had done, and he 
 looketh before him and seeth not the knight, 
 and is come to the third bridge and nought was 
 he adread for anything he might see. And it 
 was not less rich than the other, and had 
 columns of marble all round about, and upon 
 each a knop so rich that it seemed to be of 
 gold. After that, he beholdeth the gate over 
 against him, and seeth Our Lord there figured 
 even as He was set upon the rood, and His 
 Mother of the one side and S. John of the 
 other, whereof the images were all of gold, 
 with rich precious stones that flashed like fire. 
 And on the right hand he seeth an angel, 
 passing fair, that pointed with his finger to the 
 chapel where was the Holy Graal, and on his 
 breast had he a precious stone, and letters 
 written above his head that told how the lord 
 of the castle was the like pure and clean of all 
 evil-seeming as was this stone. 
 
 XVI 
 
 Thereafter at the entrance of the gate he 
 seeth a lion right great and horrible, and he 
 was upright upon his feet. So soon as he 
 seeth Messire Gawain, he croucheth to the 
 ground, and Messire Gawain passeth the en-
 
 136 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The trance without gainsay and cometh to the castle, 
 chess- and alighteth afoot, and setteth his shield and 
 board j^ 8 p ear against the wall of the hall, and 
 mounteth up a flight of marble steps and cometh 
 into a hall right fair and rich, and here and 
 there in divers places was it painted with golden 
 images. In the midst thereof he findeth a 
 couch right fair and rich and high, and at the 
 foot of this couch was a chess-board right fair 
 and rich, with an orle of gold all full of precious 
 stones, and the pieces were of gold and silver 
 and were not upon the board. Meanwhile, as 
 Messire Gawain was looking at the beauty of 
 the chess-board and the hall, behold you two 
 knights that issue forth of a chamber and come 
 to him. ' Sir,' say the knights, ' Welcome may 
 you be.' ' God give you joy and good ad- 
 venture,' saith Messire Gawain. They make 
 him sit upon the couch and after that make 
 him be disarmed. They bring him, in two 
 basins of gold, water to wash his face and 
 hands. After that, come two damsels that 
 bring him a rich robe of silk and cloth of gold. 
 Then they make him do on the same. Then say 
 the two damsels to him, * Take in good part 
 whatsoever may be done to you therewithin, 
 for this is the hostel of good knights and loyal.' 
 ' Damsels,' saith Messire Gawain, So will I 
 do. Gramercy of your service.' He seeth 
 well that albeit the night were dark, within was 
 so great brightness of light without candles that 
 it was marvel. And it seemed him the sun 
 shone there. Wherefore marvelled he right 
 sore whence so great light should come.
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 137 
 
 King 
 XVII Fisher- 
 
 When Messire Gawain was clad in the rich raan 
 robe, right comely was he to behold, and well 
 seemed he to be a knight of great valour. 
 ' Sir,' say the knights, * May it please you come 
 see the Lord of this castle ? ' ' Right gladly 
 will I see him,' saith he, * For I would fain 
 present him with a rich sword.' They lead 
 him into the chamber where lay King Fisher- 
 man, and it seemed as it were all strown and 
 sprinkled of balm, and it was all strown with 
 green herbs and reeds. And King Fisherman 
 lay on a bed hung on cords whereof the stays 
 were of ivory ; and therein was a mattress of 
 straw whereon he lay, and above, a coverlid of 
 sables whereof the cloth was right rich. And 
 he had a cap of sables on his head covered 
 with a red samite of silk, and a golden cross, 
 and under his head was a pillow all smelling 
 sweet of balm, and at the four corners of the 
 pillow were four stones that gave out a right 
 great brightness of light ; and over against him 
 was a pillar of copper whereon sate an eagle 
 that held a cross of gold wherein was a piece 
 of the true cross whereon God was set, as 
 long as was the cross itself, the which the good 
 man adored. And in four tall candlesticks of 
 gold were four tall wax tapers set as often as 
 was need. Messire Gawain cometh before the 
 King and saluteth him. And the King maketh 
 him right great cheer, and biddeth him be 
 welcome. ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, * I 
 present you with the sword whereof John was
 
 138 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain beheaded.' ' Gramercy,' saith the King : 
 and the < Certes, I knew well that you would bring it, 
 n for neither you nor other might have come in 
 hither without the sword, and if you had not 
 been of great valour you would not have 
 conquered it.' He taketh the sword and 
 setteth it to his mouth and his face and so 
 kisseth it right sweetly and maketh right great 
 joy thereof. And a damsel cometh to sit at the 
 head of the bed, to whom he giveth the sword 
 in keeping. Two others sit at his feet that 
 look at him right sweetly. ' What is your 
 name ? ' saith the King. ' Sir, my name is 
 Gawain.' ' Ha, Messire Gawain,' saith he, 
 ' This brightness of light that shineth there 
 within cometh to us of God for love of you. 
 For every time that a knight cometh hither to 
 harbour within this castle it appeareth as brightly 
 as you see it now. And greater cheer would I 
 make you than I do were I able to help myself, 
 but I am fallen into languishment from the hour 
 that the knight of whom you have heard tell 
 harboured herewithin. On account of one 
 single word he delayed to speak, did this 
 languishment come upon me. Wherefore I 
 pray you for God's sake that you remember to 
 speak it, for right glad should you be and you 
 may restore me my health. And see here is 
 the daughter of my sister that hath been 
 plundered of her land and disherited in such 
 wise that never can she have it again save 
 through her brother only whom she goeth to 
 seek ; and we have been told that he is the 
 Best Knight of the world, but we can learn no
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 139 
 
 true tidings of him.' ' Sir,' saith the damsel to Dindrane 
 her uncle the King, ' Thank Messire Gawain of ^J 1 ^ . 
 the honour he did to my lady-mother when he awam 
 came to her hostel. He stablished our land 
 again in peace, and conquered the keeping of 
 the castle for a year, and set my lady-mother's 
 five knights there with us to keep it. The 
 year hath now passed, wherefore will the war 
 be now renewed against us and God succour us 
 not, and I find not my brother whom we have 
 lost so long.' * Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 1 1 helped you so far as I might, and so would 
 I again and I were there. And fainer am I 
 to see your brother than all the knights of the 
 world. But no true tidings may I hear of him, 
 save so much, that I was at a hermitage where 
 was a King hermit, and he bade me make no 
 noise for that the Best Knight of the world lay 
 sick therewithin, and he told me that his name 
 was Par-lui-fet. I saw his horse being led by 
 a squire before the chapel, and his arms and 
 shield whereon was a sun figured.' * Sir,' saith 
 the damsel, ' My brother's name is not Par-lui- 
 fet, but Perlesvax in right baptism, and it is said 
 of them that have seen him that never comelier 
 knight was known.' ' Certes,' saith the King, 
 * Never saw I comelier than he that came in 
 hither nor better like to be good knight, and I 
 know of a truth that such he is, for otherwise 
 never might he have entered hereinto. But 
 good reward of harbouring him had I not, for I 
 may help neither myself nor other. For God's 
 sake, Messire Gawain, hold me in remembrance 
 this night, for great affiance have I in your
 
 140 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Of the valour.' 'Certes, Sir, please God, nought 
 feast w ;il J (j w ithin yonder, whereof I may be 
 blamed of right.' 
 
 XVIII 
 
 Thereupon Messire Gawain was led into the 
 hall and findeth twelve ancient knights, all bald, 
 albeit they seemed not to be so old as they 
 were, for each was of an hundred year of age 
 or more and yet none of them seemed as though 
 he were forty. They have set Messire Gawain 
 to eat at a right rich table of ivory and seat 
 themselves all round about him. ' Sir,' saith 
 the Master of the Knights, ' Remember you of 
 that the good King hath prayed of you and told 
 you this night as you have heard.' Sir,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' God remember it ! ' With 
 that bring they larded meats of venison and 
 wild-boar's flesh and other in great plenty, 
 and on the table was rich array of vessels of 
 silver and great cups of gold with their covers, 
 and the rich candlesticks where the great 
 candles were burning, albeit their brightness 
 was hidden of the great light that appeared 
 within. 
 
 XIX 
 
 Thereon, lo you, two damsels that issue forth 
 of a chapel, whereof the one holdeth in her 
 hands the most Holy Graal, and the other the 
 Lance whereof the point bleedeth thereinto. 
 And the one goeth beside the other in the 
 midst of the hall where the knights and Messire 
 Gawain sat at meat, and so sweet a smell and so
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 141 
 
 holy came to them therefrom that they forgat to The 
 eat. Messire Gawain looketh at the Graal, Graal 
 and it seemed him that a chalice was therein, a PP earetft 
 albeit none there was as at this time, and he 
 seeth the point of the lance whence the red 
 blood ran thereinto, and it seemeth him he 
 seeth two angels that bear two candlesticks of 
 gold filled with candles. And the damsels pass 
 before Messire Gawain, and go into another 
 chapel. And Messire Gawain is thoughtful, 
 and so great a joy cometh to him that nought 
 remembereth he in his thinking save of God 
 only. The knights are all daunted and sorrow- 
 ful in their hearts, and look at Messire Gawain. 
 Thereupon behold you the damsels that issue 
 forth of the chamber and come again before 
 Messire Gawain, and him seemeth that he seeth 
 three there where before he had seen but two, 
 and seemeth him that in the midst of the Graal 
 he seeth the figure of a child. The Master of 
 me Knights beckoneth to Messire Gawain. 
 Messire Gawain looketh before him and seeth 
 three drops of blood fall upon the table. He 
 was all abashed to look at them and spake no 
 word. 
 
 xx 
 
 Therewith the damsels pass forth and the 
 Knights are all adread and look one at the other. 
 Howbeit Messire Gawain may not withdraw 
 his eyes from the three drops of blood, and 
 when he would fain kiss them they vanish 
 away, whereof he is right sorrowful, for he 
 may not set his hand nor aught that of him is
 
 142 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain to touch thereof. Therewithal behold you the 
 for- two damsels that come again before the table 
 
 gettetn an j seeme th to Messire Gawain that there are 
 three, and he looketh up and it seemeth him to 
 be the Graal all in flesh, and he seeth above, as 
 him thinketh, a King crowned, nailed upon a 
 rood, and the spear was still fast in his side. 
 Messire Gawain seeth it and hath great pity 
 thereof, and of nought doth he remember him 
 save of the pain that this King suffereth. And 
 the Master of the Knights summoneth him again 
 by word of mouth, and telleth him that if he 
 delayeth longer, never more will he recover it. 
 Messire Gawain is silent, as he that heareth 
 not the knight speak, and looketh upward. But 
 the damsels go back into the chapel and carry 
 back the most Holy Graal and the Lance, and 
 the knights make the tablecloths be taken away 
 and rise from meat and go into another hall 
 and leave Messire Gawain all alone. And he 
 looketh all around and seeth the doors all shut 
 and made fast, and looketh to the foot of the 
 hall and seeth two candlesticks with many 
 candles burning round about the chess-board, and 
 he seeth that the pieces are set, whereof the one 
 sort are silver and the other gold. Messire 
 Gawain sitteth at the game, and they of gold 
 played against him and mated him twice. At 
 the third time, when he thought to revenge him- 
 self and saw that he had the worse, he swept the 
 pieces off the board. And a damsel issued forth 
 of a chamber and made a squire take the chess- 
 board and the pieces and so carry them away. 
 And Messire Gawain, that was way-worn of
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 143 
 
 his wanderings to come thither where he now Gawain 
 hath come, slept upon the couch until the departeth 
 morrow when it was day, and he heard a horn 
 sound right shrill. 
 
 XXI 
 
 Thereupon he armeth him and would fain go 
 to take leave of King Fisherman, but he findeth 
 the doors bolted so that he may not get forth. 
 And right fair service seeth he done in a chapel, 
 and right sorrowful is he for that he may not 
 hear the mass. A damsel cometh into the hall 
 and saith to him : ' Sir, now may you hear the 
 service and the joy that is made on account of 
 the sword you presented to the good King, and 
 right glad at heart ought you to have been if 
 you had been within the chapel. But you lost 
 entering therein on account of a right little word. 
 For the place of the chapel is so hallowed of the 
 holy relics that are therein that man nor priest 
 may never enter therein from the Saturday at 
 noon until the Monday after mass.' And he 
 heard the sweetest voices and the fairest services 
 that were ever done in chapel. Messire Gawain 
 answereth her not a word so is he abashed. 
 Howbeit the damsel saith to him : ' Sir, God 
 be guardian of your body, for methinketh that 
 it was not of your own default that you would 
 not speak the word whereof this castle would 
 have been in joy.' With that the damsel 
 departeth and Messire Gawain heareth the horn 
 sound a second time and a voice warning him 
 aloud : * He that is from without, let him go 
 hence ! for the bridges are lowered and the
 
 144 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The gate open, and the lion is in his den. And 
 
 Forest thereafter behoveth the bridge be lifted again 
 
 on account of the King of the Castle Mortal, 
 
 that warreth against this castle, and therefore of 
 
 this thing shall he die.' 
 
 XXII 
 
 Thereupon Messire Gawain issueth forth of 
 the hall and findeth his horse all made ready 
 at the mounting-stage, together with his arms. 
 He goeth forth and findeth the bridges broad 
 and long, and goeth his way a great pace beside 
 a great river that runneth in the midst of the 
 valley. And he seeth in a great forest a mighty 
 rain and tempest, and so strong a thunder- 
 storm ariseth in the forest that it seemeth 
 like all the trees should be uprooted. So 
 great is the rain and the tempest that it com- 
 pelleth him set his shield over his horse's head 
 lest he be drowned of the abundance of rain. 
 In this mis-ease rideth he down beside the 
 river that runneth in the forest until he seeth in 
 a launde across the river a knight and a damsel 
 right gaily appointed riding at pleasure, and the 
 knight carrieth a bird on his fist, and the damsel 
 hath a garland of flowers on her head. Two 
 brachets follow the knight. The sun shineth 
 right fair on the meadow and the air is right 
 clear and fresh. Messire Gawain marvelleth 
 much of this, that it raineth so heavily on his 
 way, whereas, in the meadow where the knight 
 and the damsel are riding, the sun shineth clear 
 and the weather is bright and calm. And he 
 seeth them ride joyously. He can ask them
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 145 
 
 naught for they are too far away. Messire A castle 
 Gawain looketh about and seeth on the other of joy 
 side the river a squire nearer to him than is 
 the knight. * Fair friend,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' How is this that it raineth upon me 
 on this side the river, but on the other raineth 
 it not at all ?' ' Sir,' saith the squire, * This 
 have you deserved, for such is the custom of 
 the forest.' * Will this tempest that is over me 
 last for ever ? ' saith Messire Gawain. * At 
 the first bridge you come to will it be stayed 
 upon you,' saith the squire. 
 
 XXIII 
 
 Therewith the squire departeth, and the 
 tempest rageth incontinent until he is come to 
 the bridge ; and he rideth beyond and cometh 
 to the meadow, and the storm is stayed so that 
 he setteth his shield to rights again upon his 
 neck. And he seeth before him a castle where 
 was a great company of folk that were making 
 great cheer. He rideth until he cometh to the 
 castle and seeth right great throng of folk, 
 knights and dames and damsels. Messire 
 Gawain alighteth, but findeth in the castle 
 none that is willing to take his reins, so busied 
 are they making merry. Messire Gawain 
 presenteth himself on the one side and the 
 other, but all of them avoid him, and he seeth 
 that he maketh but an ill stay therewithin for 
 himself, wherefore he departeth from the castle 
 and meeteth a knight at the gate. 'Sir,' saith 
 he, ' What castle is this ? ' * And see you not,' 
 saith the knight, 'that it is a castle of joy ? '
 
 146 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The ' By my faith,' saith Messire Gawain, * They of 
 Poor th e C astle be not over-courteous, for all this time 
 Knight j^k none come t0 ta fc e m y re ins.' Not for 
 this lose they their courtesy,' saith the knight, 
 ' For this is no more than you have deserved. 
 They take you to be as slothful of deed as you 
 are of word, and they saw that you were come 
 through the Forest Perilous whereby pass all 
 the discomfited, as well appeareth by your arms 
 and your horse.' Therewith the knight de- 
 parteth, and Messire Gawain hath ridden a 
 great space sorrowful and sore abashed, until 
 lie cometh to a land parched and poor and 
 barren of all comfort, and therein findeth he a 
 poor castle, whereinto he cometh and seeth it 
 much wasted, but that within was there a hall 
 that seemed haunted of folk. And Messire 
 Gawain cometh thitherward and alighteth, and 
 a knight cometh down the steps of the hall 
 right poorly clad. ' Sir,' saith the knight to 
 Messire Gawain, ' Welcome may you be ! ' 
 After that, he taketh him by the hand and 
 leadeth him upward to the hall, that was all 
 waste. Therewithal issue two damsels from a 
 chamber, right poorly clad, that were of passing 
 great beauty, and make great cheer to Messire 
 Gawain. So, when he was fain to disarm, 
 behold you thereupon a knight that entereth 
 into the hall, and he was smitten with the 
 broken end of a lance through his body. He 
 seeth Messire Gawain whom he knoweth. 
 ' Now haste ! ' saith he, ' and disarm you not ! 
 Right joyful am I that I have found you ! I 
 come from this forest wherein have I left
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 147 
 
 Lancelot fighting with four knights, whereof Gawain 
 one is dead, and they think that it is you, and helpeth 
 they are of kindred to the knight that you slew Lancelot 
 at the tent where you destroyed the evil custom. 
 I was fain to help Lancelot, when one of the 
 knights smote me as you may see.' Messire 
 Gawain goeth down from the hall and mounteth 
 all armed upon his horse. 
 
 XXIV 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight of the hall, ' I would 
 go help you to my power, but I may not issue 
 forth of the castle until such time as it be re- 
 plenished of the folk that are wont to come 
 therein and until my land be again given up to 
 me through the valour of the Good Knight.' 
 Messire Gawain departeth from the castle as 
 fast as horse may carry him, and entereth the 
 forest and followeth the track of the blood along 
 the way the knight had come, and rideth so far 
 in the forest as that he heareth the noise of 
 swords, and seeth in the midst of the launde 
 Lancelot and the three knights, and the fourth 
 dead on the ground. But one of the knights 
 had drawn him aback, for he might abide the 
 combat no longer, for the knight that brought 
 the tidings to Messire Gawain had sore wounded 
 him. The two knights beset Lancelot full 
 sore, and right weary was he of the buffets that 
 he had given and received. Messire Gawain 
 cometh to one of the knights and smiteth him 
 right through the body and maketh him and his 
 horse roll over all of a heap.
 
 148 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The xxv 
 
 Poor . 
 
 Knight's When Lancelot perceiveth Messire Gawain, 
 hostel much joy maketh he thereof. In the mean- 
 while as the one held the other, the fourth knight 
 fled full speed through the midst of the forest, 
 and he that the knight had wounded fell dead. 
 They take their horses, and Messire Gawain 
 telleth Lancelot he hath the most poverty- 
 stricken host that ever he hath seen, and the 
 fairest damsels known, but that right poorly are 
 they clad. * Shall we therefore take them of 
 our booty ? ' 'I agree,' saith Lancelot, ' But 
 sore grieveth me of the knight that hath thus 
 escaped us.' * Take no heed ! ' saith Messire 
 Gawain, 'We shall do well enough herein.' 
 Thereupon they return back toward the poor 
 knight's hostel and alight before the hall, and 
 the Poor Knight cometh to meet them, and the 
 two damsels, and they deliver to them the 
 three horses of the three knights that were 
 dead. The knight hath great joy thereof, and 
 telleth them that now is he a rich man and that 
 betimes will his sisters be better clad than are 
 they now, as well as himself. 
 
 XXVI 
 
 Thereupon come they into the hall. The 
 knight maketh one of his own squires stable 
 the horses and the two damsels help disarm 
 Lancelot and Messire Gawain. ' Lords,' saith 
 the knight, ' So God help me, nought have I 
 to lend you wherewith to clothe you, for robe 
 have I none save mine own jerkin.' Lancelot
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 149 
 
 hath great pity thereof and Messire Gawain, The 
 and the two damsels take off their kirtles that Poor 
 were made like surcoats of cloth that covered Kjll & llt 
 their poor shirts, and their jackets that were all 
 to-torn and ragged and worn, and present them 
 to the knights to clothe them. They were 
 fain not to refuse, lest the damsels should think 
 they held them not in honour, and did on the 
 two kirtles right poor as they were. The 
 damsels had great joy thereof that so good 
 knights should deign wear garments so poor. 
 ' Lords,' saith the Poor Knight, ' The knight 
 that brought the tidings hither, and was stricken 
 through of a lance-shaft, is dead and lieth on a 
 bier in a chapel within the castle, and he con- 
 fessed himself right well to a hermit and bade 
 salute you both, and was right fain you should 
 see him after that he were dead, and he prayed 
 me instantly that I would ask you to be to- 
 morrow at his burial, for better knights than 
 be ye might not be thereat, so he told me.' 
 ' Certes,' saith Lancelot, 'A good knight was 
 he, and much mischief is it of his death ; and 
 sore grieveth me that I know not his name nor 
 of what country he was.' ' Sir,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' He said that you should yet know it 
 well.' The two good knights lay the night at 
 the castle, and the Poor Knight lodged them as 
 well as he might. When it cometh to morning, 
 they go to the chapel to hear mass and to be at 
 the burial of the body. After that they take 
 leave of the Poor Knight and the two damsels 
 and depart from the castle all armed. ' Messire 
 Gawain,' saith Lancelot, 'They know not at
 
 ISO THE HOLY GRAAL 
 
 Gawain court what hath become of you, and they hold 
 and y 0U f or dead as they suppose.' * By my faith/ 
 
 Lancelot sa j t j 1 Messire Gawain, thitherward will I go, 
 for I have had sore travail, and there will I 
 abide until some will shall come to me to go 
 seek adventure.' He recounteth to Lancelot 
 how the Graal hath appeared to him at the 
 court of King Fisherman : * And even as it was 
 there before me, I forgat to ask how it served 
 and of what.' 'Ha, Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'Have 
 you then been there ? ' ' Yea,' saith he, ' And 
 thereof am I right sorry and glad : glad for the 
 great holiness I have seen, sorry for that I asked 
 not that whereof King Fisherman prayed me 
 right sweetly.' 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'Right 
 sorely ill have you wrought, nor is there nought 
 whereof I have so great desire as I have to go 
 to his castle.' ' By my faith,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' Much shamed was I there, but this 
 doth somewhat recomfort me, that the Best 
 Knight was there before me that gat blame 
 thereof in like manner as I.' Lancelot de- 
 
 {>arteth from Messire Gawain, and they take 
 eave either of other. They issue forth of a 
 forest, and each taketh his own way without 
 saying a word.
 
 BRANCH VII 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 HERE the story is silent of Messire Gawain Of 
 and beginneth to speak of Lancelot, that Lancelot 
 entereth into a forest and rideth with right 
 great ado and meeteth a knight in the midst of 
 the forest that was coming full speed and was 
 armed of all arms. ' Sir,' saith he to Lancelot, 
 ' Whence come you ? ' * Sir,' saith L ancelot, ' I 
 come from the neighbourhood of King Arthur's 
 court.' ' Ha, Sir, can you tell me tidings of 
 a knight that beareth a green shield such as I 
 bear ? If so, he is my brother.' ' What name 
 hath he?' saith Lancelot. 'Sir,' saith he, 
 ' His name is Gladoens, and he is a good knight 
 and a hardy, and he hath a white horse right 
 strong and swift.' ' Be there other knights in 
 your country that bear such arms as your shield 
 and his besides you and he ? ' ' Certes, Sir, 
 none.' ' And wherefore do you ask ? ' saith 
 Lancelot. * For this, that a certain man hath 
 reft him of one of his castles for that he was not 
 there. Howbeit, I know well that he will have 
 it again through his good knighthood.' ' Is he 
 so good knight ?' saith Lancelot. ' Certes, Sir, 
 yea! He is the best of the Isles of the Moors.' 
 ' Sir, of your mercy, lower your coif.' He 
 quickly thereon lowereth his coif, and Lancelot 
 looketh at him in the face. ' Certes, Sir Knight,' 
 saith he, * you very much resemble him.' ' Ha, 
 
 151
 
 152 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The twin Sir,' saith the knight, 'Know you then any 
 knights tidings of him ? ' Certes, Sir,' saith he, ' Yea ! 
 and true tidings may I well say, for he rode at 
 my side five leagues Welsh, nor never saw I 
 one man so like another as are you to him.' 
 ' Good right hath he to resemble me,' saith the 
 knight, ' for we are twins, but he was born first 
 and hath more sense and knighthood than I ; 
 nor in all the Isles of the Moors is there damsel 
 that hath so much worth and beauty as she of 
 whom he is loved of right true love, and more 
 she desireth to see him than aught else that 
 liveth, for she hath not seen him of more than a 
 year, wherefore hath she gone seek her prize, 
 my brother, by all the forests of the world. 
 Sir,' saith the knight, 'Let me go seek my 
 brother, and tell me where I may find him.' 
 ' Certes,' saith Lancelot, ' I will tell you though 
 it grieve me sore.' ' Wherefore ? ' saith the 
 knight, ' Hath he done you any mis-deed ? ' 'In 
 no wise,' saith Lancelot, ' Rather hath he done 
 so much for me that I love you thereof and 
 offer you my service.' ' Sir,' saith the knight, 
 ' I am going my way, but for God's sake tell 
 me where I shall find my brother.' ' Sir,' 
 saith Lancelot, ' I will tell you. This morning 
 did I bid his body farewell and help to bury 
 him.' ' Ha, Sir,' saith the knight, ' Do you tell 
 me true ?' ' Certes,' saith Lancelot, True it is 
 that I tell you.' ' Is he slain then, my brother ? ' 
 saith the knight. 'Yea, and of succouring me,' 
 saith Lancelot. 'Ha, sir,' saith the knight, 
 ' For God's sake tell me nought that is not 
 right.' ' By God, Sir,' saith he, ' Sore grieved
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 153 
 
 am I to tell it you, for never loved I knight so of Rock 
 
 much in so brief a time as loved I him. He Gladoens 
 
 helped to save me from death, and therefore will 
 
 I do for you according to that he did for me.' 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' If he be dead, a great 
 
 grief is it to myself, for I have lost my comfort 
 
 and my life and my land without recovery.' 
 
 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'He helped me to save 
 
 my life, and yours will I help to save henceforth 
 
 for ever and so be that I shall know of your 
 
 jeopardy.' The knight heareth that his brother 
 
 is dead and well believeth Lancelot, and begin- 
 
 neth to make dole thereof the greatest that was 
 
 ever heard. And Lancelot saith to him, ' Sir 
 
 Knight, let be this dole, for none recovery is 
 
 there ; but my body do I offer you and my 
 
 knighthood in any place you please, where I 
 
 may save your honour.' ' Sir,' saith the knight, 
 
 "With good will receive I your help and your 
 
 love, sith that you deign to offer me the same, 
 
 and now have I sorer need of them than ever. 
 
 Sir,' saith the knight, ' Sith that my brother is 
 
 dead, I will return back and bear with my 
 
 wrong, though well would he have amended it 
 
 had he been on live.' ' By my head,' saith 
 
 Lancelot, ' I will go with you, that so may I 
 
 reward you of that he hath done for me. He 
 
 delivered his body to the death for me, and in 
 
 like manner freely would I fain set mine own 
 
 in jeopardy for love of you and of him.' 
 
 11 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' Right good will do 
 I owe you of this that you say to me, so your
 
 154 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Castle of deeds be but the same herein.' <Yea, so help 
 Gladoensrne God,' saith Lancelot, The same shall they 
 be, if God lend me the power.' With that, 
 they go on their way together, and the knight 
 comforteth him much of that which Lancelot 
 hath said to him, but of the death of his brother 
 was he right sorrowful. And they ride until 
 they come to the land of the Moors ; then espy 
 they a castle upon a rock, and below was a 
 broad meadow-land. ' Sir,' saith the Knight 
 of the Green Shield to Lancelot, 'This castle 
 was my brother's and is now mine, and much it 
 misliketh me that it hath fallen to me on this 
 wise. And the knight that reft it of my 
 brother is of so great hardihood that he feareth 
 no knight on live, and you will presently see 
 him issue forth of this castle so soon as he shall 
 perceive you. Lancelot and the knight ride 
 until they draw nigh the castle. And the 
 knight looketh in the way before him, and seeth 
 a squire coming on a hackney, that was carrying 
 before him a wild boar dead. The Knight of 
 the Green Shield asketh him whose man he is, 
 and the squire maketh answer : ' I am man of 
 the Lord of the Rock Gladoens, that cometh 
 there behind, and my lord cometh all armed, he 
 and others, for the brother of Gladoens hath 
 defied him on behalf of his brother, but right 
 little recketh my lord of his defiance.' 
 
 ill 
 
 Lancelot heareth how he that is coming is 
 the enemy of him to whom had he been alive, 
 his love most was due. The Knight of the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 155 
 
 Green Shield pointed him out so soon as he Lancelot 
 saw him. * Sir,' saith he to Lancelot, * Behold slayeth 
 him by whom I am disherited, and yet worse e 
 would he do to me and he knew that my 
 brother were dead.' Lancelot, without saying 
 more, so soon as he had espied the Knight of 
 the Rock, smiteth his horse with his spurs and 
 cometh toward him. The Lord of the Rock, 
 that was proud and hardy, seeth Lancelot coming 
 and smiteth with his spurs the horse whereon 
 he sitteth. They come with so swift an onset 
 either upon other that they break their spears 
 upon their shields, and hurtle together so sore 
 that the Knight of the Rock Gladoens falleth 
 over the croup of his horse. Lancelot draweth 
 his sword and cometh above him, and he crieth 
 him mercy and asketh him wherefore he 
 wisheth to slay him ? Lancelot saith for the 
 sake of Gladoens from whom he hath reft his 
 land and his castle. ' And what is that to you?' 
 saith the knight. ' Behoveth his brother 
 challenge me thereof.' * As much it behoveth 
 me as his brother,' saith Lancelot. 'Where- 
 fore you ? ' * For this,' saith Lancelot, ' That 
 as much as he did for me will I do to you.' 
 He cutteth off his head and giveth it incontinent 
 to the Knight of the Green Shield. Now tell 
 me,' saith Lancelot, 'Sith that he is dead, is 
 he purged of that whereof you appeached him?' 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' I hold him rightly 
 quit thereof, for, sith that he is dead, all claim 
 on behalf of his kindred is abated by his death.' 
 ' And I pledge you my faith loyally,' saith 
 Lancelot, ' as I am a knight, that never shall
 
 156 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The you be in peril nor in jeopardy of aught wherein 
 Castle I ma y help you, so I be in place and free, but 
 my help shall you have for evermore, for that 
 your brother staked his life to help me.' 
 
 IV 
 
 Lancelot and the knight Jay the night at the 
 Rock Gladoens, and the Knight of the Green 
 Shield had his land at his pleasure, and all were 
 obedient to him. And the upright and loyal 
 were right glad, albeit when they heard the 
 tidings of Gladoens' death they were right 
 sorrowful thereof. Lancelot departed from 
 the castle on the morrow, and the knight 
 remained therein, sorrowful for his brother that 
 he had lost, and glad for the land that he had 
 gotten again. Lancelot goeth back right 
 amidst the forest and rideth the day long, and 
 meeteth a knight that was coming, groaning 
 sore. And he was stooping over the fore 
 saddle-bow for the pain that he had. He 
 meeteth Lancelot and saith to him : * Sir, for 
 God's sake, turn back, for you will find there 
 the most cruel pass in the world there where I 
 have been wounded through the body. Where- 
 fore I beseech you not go thither.' ' What 
 pass is it then ? ' saith Lancelot. ' Sir,' saith 
 he, ' It is the pass of the Castle of Beards, and it 
 hath the name of this, that every knight that 
 passeth thereby must either leave his beard 
 there or challenge the same, and in such sort 
 have I challenged my beard that meseemeth I 
 shall die thereof.' ' By my head,' saith Lance- 
 lot, ' I hold not this of cowardize, sith that
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 157 
 
 you were hardy to set your life in jeopardy to of Beards 
 
 challenge your beard, but now would you argue 
 
 me of cowardize when you would have me turn 
 
 back. Rather would I be smitten through the 
 
 body with honour, so and I had not my death 
 
 thereof, than lose with shame a single hair of 
 
 my beard.' ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' May God 
 
 preserve you, for the castle is far more cruel 
 
 than you think, and God guide the knight that 
 
 may destroy the evil custom of the castle, for 
 
 right shameful is the custom to strange knights 
 
 that pass thereby.' 
 
 Lancelot departeth from the knight and 
 cometh toward the castle. Just as he had 
 passed over a great bridge, he looketh about 
 and seeth two knights come all armed to the 
 entrance of the castle, and they made hold 
 their horses before them, and their shields and 
 spears are before them leaning against the wall. 
 Lancelot looketh at the gateway of the castle 
 and seeth the great door all covered with beards 
 fastened thereon, and heads of knights in great 
 plenty hung thereby. So, as he was about to 
 enter the gate, two knights issue therefrom 
 over against him. * Sir,' saith the one, ' Abide 
 and pay your toll ! ' ' Do knights, then, pay 
 toll here?' saith Lancelot. 'Yea!' say the 
 knights, ' All they that have beards, and they 
 that have none are quit. Sir, now pay us 
 yours, for a right great beard it is, and thereof 
 have we sore need.' ' For what ? ' saith 
 Lancelot. * I will tell you,' saith the knight.
 
 158 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot ' There be hermits in this forest that make 
 
 saveth hair-shirts thereof.' ' By my head/ saith 
 
 . ? Lancelot, * Never shall they have hair-shirt 
 
 of mine, so I may help it.' ' That shall they,' 
 
 say the knights, ' Of yours as of the other, or 
 
 dearly shall you pay therefor ! ' 
 
 VI 
 
 Right wroth waxeth Sir Lancelot, and cometh 
 to the knight, and smiteth him with his spear 
 amidst the breast with such a thrust that it 
 passeth half an ell beyond, and overthroweth 
 him and his horse together. The other knight 
 seeth his fellow wounded to the death, and 
 cometh towards him with a great sweep and 
 breaketh his spear upon his shield. Howbeit, 
 Lancelot beareth him to the ground right 
 over his horse-croup and maketh him fall so 
 heavily that he breaketh one of his legs. The 
 tidings are come to the Lady of the Castle that 
 a knight hath come to the pass that hath slain 
 one of her knights and wounded the other. 
 The Lady is come thither and bringeth two of 
 her damsels with her. She seeth Lancelot that 
 is fain to slay the knight that lieth wounded on 
 the ground. ' Sir,' saith the Lady to Lancelot, 
 ' Withdraw yourself back and slay him not, 
 but alight and speak to me in safety.' * Lady,' 
 saith one of the maidens, ' I know him well. 
 This is Lancelot of the Lake, the most 
 courteous knight that is in the court of King 
 Arthur.' He alighteth and cometh before 
 the Lady. 'Lady,' saith he, 'what is your 
 pleasure ? ' ' I desire,' saith she, ' that you come
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 159 
 
 to my hostel to harbour, and that you make me A foul 
 amends of the shame you have done me.' service 
 
 VII 
 
 'Lady,' saith Lancelot, 'Shame have I 
 never done you nor shall do, but the knights 
 took in hand too shameful a business when they 
 were minded to take the beards of stranger 
 knights by force.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' I will 
 forego my ill-will on condition that you harbour 
 herewithin to-night.' 'Lady,' saith Lancelot, 
 ' I desire not your ill-will, wherefore will I 
 gladly do your pleasure.' He setteth him 
 within the castle and maketh his horse be led 
 in after him, and the Lady hath the dead 
 knight brought into the chapel and buried. 
 The other she biddeth be disarmed and clothed 
 and commandeth that his wounds be searched. 
 Then maketh she Lancelot be disarmed and 
 clad right richly in a good robe, and telleth 
 him that she knoweth well who he is. ' Lady,' 
 saith Lancelot, ' It is well for me.' There- 
 upon they sit to eat, and the first course is 
 brought in by knights in chains that had their 
 noses cut off; the second by knights in chains 
 that had their eyes put out ; wherefore they 
 were led in by squires. The third course was 
 brought in by knights that had but one hand and 
 were in chains. After that, came other knights 
 that had each but one foot and brought in the 
 fourth course. At the fifth course came knights 
 right fair and tall, and each brought a naked 
 sword in his hand and presented their heads to 
 the Lady.
 
 160 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The 
 
 Lady vin 
 
 wooet Lancelot beheld the martyrdom of these 
 knights, and sore misliking had he of the 
 services of such folk. They are risen from 
 meat and the lady goeth to her chamber and 
 sitteth on a couch. ' Lancelot,' saith the Lady, 
 'you have seen the justice and the lordship of 
 my castle. All these knights have been con- 
 quered at the passing of my door.' ' Lady,' 
 saith Lancelot, 'foul mischance hath befallen 
 them.' ' The like mischance would have be- 
 fallen you had you not been knight so good. 
 And greatly have I desired to see you this long 
 time past. And I will make you lord of this 
 castle and myself.' ' Lady,' saith he, ' the lord- 
 ship of this castle hold I of yourself without 
 mesne, and to you have I neither wish nor 
 right to refuse it. Rather am I willing to be 
 at your service.' ' Then,' saith she, ' you will 
 abide with me in this castle, for more do I 
 love you than any other knight that liveth.' 
 'Lady,' saith Lancelot, ' Gramercy, but in no 
 castle may I abide more than one night until I 
 have been thither whither behoveth me to go.' 
 ' Whither are you bound ? ' saith she. ' Lady,' 
 saith he, ' to the Castle of Souls.' ' Well know 
 I the castle,' saith she. ' The King hath the 
 name Fisherman, and lieth in languishment on 
 account of two knights that have been at his 
 castle and made not good demand. Would you 
 fain go thither ? ' saith the Lady. ' Yea,' saith 
 Lancelot. 'Then pledge me your faith that 
 you will return by me to speak to me, so the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 161 
 
 Graal shall appear to you, and you ask whereof The 
 it serveth.' ' Yea, truly,' saith Lancelot, ' were Graye- 
 you beyond sea ! ' ' Sir,' saith one of the p^Li ous 
 damsels, ' So much may you well promise, for 
 the Graal appeareth not to no knight so wanton 
 as be ye. For you love the Queen Guenievre, 
 the wife of your lord, King Arthur, nor so long 
 as this love lieth at your heart may you never 
 behold the Graal.' 
 
 IX 
 
 Lancelot heard the damsel and blushed of 
 despite. 'Ha, Lancelot,' saith the Lady, ' Love 
 you other than me?' 'Lady,' saith he, 'the 
 damsel may say her pleasure.' Lancelot lay 
 the night at the castle, and right wroth was he 
 of the damsel that calleth the love of him and 
 the Queen disloyal. And the morrow when he 
 had heard mass, he took leave of the Lady of 
 the Castle, and she besought him over and over 
 to keep his covenant, and he said that so would 
 he do without fail. Therewithal he issueth forth 
 of the castle and entereth into a tall and ancient 
 forest, and rideth the day long until he cometh 
 to the outskirt of the forest, and seeth a tall cross 
 at the entrance of a burying-ground enclosed all 
 round about with a hedge of thorns. And the 
 way lay through the burying-ground. Lancelot 
 entered therein and the night was come. He 
 seeth the grave-yard full of tombs and sepulchres. 
 He looketh behind and seeth a chapel wherein 
 were candles burning. Thitherward goeth he, 
 and passeth beyond without saying aught more 
 by the side of a dwarf that was digging a grave
 
 162 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot in the ground. 'Lancelot,' saith the dwarf, 
 "* , ' y ou are right not to salute me, for you are the 
 c a ^ e man of all the world that most I hate ; and God 
 grant me vengeance of your body. So will He 
 what time you are stricken down here within ! ' 
 Lancelot heard the dwarf, but deigned not to 
 answer him of nought. He is come to the 
 chapel, and alighteth and maketh fast the bridle 
 of his horse to a tree, and leaneth his shield and 
 spear without. After that he entereth into the 
 chapel, and findeth a damsel laying out a knight 
 in his winding-sheet. As soon as Lancelot was 
 entered therewithin the wounds of the knight 
 were swollen up and began to bleed afresh. 
 ' Ha, Sir Knight, now see I plainly that you 
 slew him that I am wrapping in his winding- 
 sheet ! ' 
 
 Thereupon, behold you, two knights that are 
 carrying other two knights dead. They alight 
 and then set them in the chapel. And the 
 dwarf crieth out to them : * Now shall it be 
 seen how you avenge your friends of the enemy 
 that fell upon you ! ' The knight that had fled 
 from the forest when Messire G a wain came 
 thither where the three lay dead, was come 
 therewithin and knew Lancelot, whereupon saith 
 he : ' Our mortal enemy are you, for by you 
 were these three knights slain.' ' Well had 
 they deserved it,' saith Lancelot, 'and in this 
 chapel am I in no peril of you, wherefore as 
 at this time will I depart not hence, for I know 
 not the ways of the forest.' He was in the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 163 
 
 chapel until the day broke, when he issued forth The 
 thereof, and sore it weighed upon him that his ? r , , 
 horse was still fasting. He taketh his arms brother S 
 and is mounted. The dwarf crieth out aloud : 
 ' What aileth you ? ' saith he to the two knights, 
 * Will you let your mortal enemy go thus ? ' 
 With that the two knights mount their horses 
 and go to the two issues of the grave-yard, 
 thinking that Lancelot is fain to flee therefrom ; 
 but no desire hath he thereof, wherefore he 
 cometh to the knight that was guarding the 
 entrance whereby he had to issue out, and 
 smiteth him so stiffly that he thrusteth the point 
 of his spear right through his body. The other 
 knight that was guarding the other entrance, 
 that had fled out of the forest before, had no 
 mind to avenge his fellow, and fled incontinent 
 so fast as he might. And Lancelot taketh the 
 horse of the knight he had slain and driveth 
 him before him, for he thinketh that some knight 
 may haply have need thereof. He rideth on 
 until he cometh to a hermitage in the forest 
 where he alighteth and hath his horses stabled, 
 and the Hermit giveth them of the best he 
 hath. And Lancelot heard mass, and after- 
 ward ate a little and fell asleep. Thereafter, 
 behold you, a knight that cometh to the Hermit 
 and seeth Lancelot that was about to mount. 
 ' Sir,' saith he, ' Whither go you ? ' ' Sir 
 Knight,' saith Lancelot, ' thither shall I go 
 where God may please ; but you, whitherward 
 are you bound to go ? ' * Sir, I go to see one 
 of my brethren and my two sisters, for I have 
 been told that he hath fallen on such mishap as
 
 164 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The that he is called the Poor Knight, whereof am 
 Waste I S ore sorrowful.' ' Certes,' saith Lancelot, 
 
 City i p oor h e j s> the more the pity ! Howbeit, 
 will you do him a message from me?' 'Sir,' 
 saith the knight, ' Right willingly ! ' ' Will you 
 present him with this horse on my behalf, and 
 tell him how Lancelot that harboured with him 
 hath sent it ? ' ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' Right 
 great thanks, and blessed may you be, for he 
 that doth a kindness to a worshipful man loseth 
 it not.' ' Salute the two damsels for me,' 
 saith Lancelot. ' Sir, right willingly ! ' The 
 knight delivereth the horse to his squire, and 
 taketh leave of Lancelot. 
 
 XI 
 
 Thereupon, Lancelot departeth from the 
 hermitage and rideth on until he cometh forth 
 of the forest, and findeth a waste land, a country 
 broad and long wherein wonned neither beast 
 nor bird, for the land was so poor and parched 
 that no victual was to be found therein. 
 Lancelot looketh before him and seeth a city 
 appear far away. Thither rideth he full speed 
 and seeth that the city is so great that it 
 seemeth him to encompass a whole country. 
 He seeth the walls that are falling all around, 
 and the gates ruined with age. He entereth 
 within and findeth the city all void of folk, and 
 seeth the great palaces fallen down and waste, 
 and the great grave-yards full of sepulchres, 
 and the tall churches all lying waste, and the 
 markets and exchanges all empty. He rideth 
 amidst the streets and findeth a great palace that
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 165 
 
 seemeth him to be better and more ancient than A 
 all the others. He bideth awhile before it {P"?* 1 ^ 
 and heareth within how knights and ladies are J eat j. 
 making great dole. And they say to a knight : 
 'Ha, God, sore grief and pity is this of you, 
 that you must needs die in such manner, and 
 that your death may not be respited ! Sore 
 hatred ought we to bear toward him that hath 
 adjudged you such a death.' The knights and 
 ladies swoon over him as he departeth. Lancelot 
 hath heard all this and much marvelleth he 
 thereof, but nought thereof may he see. 
 
 xn 
 
 Thereupon, lo you, the knight that cometh 
 down into the midst of the hall, clad in a short 
 red jerkin ; and he was girt with a rich 
 girdle of gold, and had a rich clasp at his neck 
 wherein were many rich stones, and on his 
 head had he a great cap of gold, and he held a 
 great axe. The knight was of great comeliness 
 and young of age. Lancelot seeth him coming, 
 and looketh upon him right fainly when he 
 seeth him appear. And the knight saith to 
 him, 'Sir, alight!' ' Certes,' saith Lancelot, 
 ' Willingly.' He alighteth and maketh his 
 horse fast to a ring of silver that was on the 
 mounting-stage, and putteth his shield from his 
 neck and his spear from his hand. ' Sir,' saith 
 he to the knight, ' What is your pleasure ? ' 
 ' Sir, needs must you cut me off my head with 
 this axe, for of this weapon hath my death 
 been adjudged, but and you will not, I will cut 
 off your own therewith.' ' Hold, Sir,' saith 
 
 vol. 1. h
 
 166 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot Lancelot, 'What is this you tell me ? ' 'Sir,' 
 pledgeth sa ; t h the knight, ' You must needs do even as 
 his head j g s ^ t j iat y OU are come i nt0 tn ; s city.' 
 
 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'Right foolish were he 
 that in such a jeopardy should not do the best 
 for himself, but blamed shall I be thereof and 
 I shall slay you when you have done me no 
 wrong.' ' Certes,' saith the Knight, ' In no 
 otherwise may you go hence.' ' Fair Sir,' 
 saith Lancelot, 'So gentle are you and so well 
 nurtured, how cometh it that you take your 
 death so graciously ? You know well that I 
 shall kill you before you shall kill me, sith that 
 so it is.' ' This know I well for true,' saith 
 the Knight, * But you will promise me before I 
 die, that you will return into this city within a 
 year from this, and that you will set your head 
 in the same jeopardy without challenge, as I 
 have set mine.' ' By my head,' saith Lancelot, 
 ' Needeth no argument that 1 shall choose respite 
 of death to dying here on the spot. But I 
 marvel me of this that you are so fairly ap- 
 parelled to receive your death.' 
 
 XIII 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the Knight, ' He that would go 
 before the Saviour of the World ought of right 
 to apparel him as fairly as he may. I am by 
 confession purged of all wickedness and of all 
 the misdeeds that ever I have committed, and 
 do repent me truly thereof, wherefore at this 
 moment am I fain to die.' Therewithal he 
 holdeth forth the axe, and Lancelot taketh it 
 and seeth that it is right keen and well whetted.
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 167 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the Knight, ' Hold up your hand Lancelot 
 
 toward the minster that you see yonder.' ' Sir,' slayeth 
 
 saith Lancelot, 'Willingly.' 'Thus, then, will JjJjJ: fat 
 
 you swear to me upon the holy relics that are 
 
 within this minster, that on this day year at the 
 
 hour that you shall have slain me, or before, 
 
 you yourself will come back here and place 
 
 your head in the very same peril as I shall 
 
 have placed mine, without default ? ' ' Thus,' 
 
 saith Lancelot, 'do I swear and give you 
 
 thereto my pledge.' With that, the Knight 
 
 kneeleth and stretcheth his neck as much as he 
 
 may, and Lancelot taketh the axe in his hands, 
 
 and then saith to him, ' Sir Knight, for God's 
 
 sake, have mercy on yourself! ' 'Let cut off 
 
 my head ! ' saith the Knight, ' For otherwise 
 
 may I not have mercy upon you ! ' 'In God's 
 
 name,' saith Lancelot, 'fain would I deny you.' 
 
 With that, he swingeth the axe and cutteth off 
 
 the head with such a sweep that he maketh it 
 
 fly seven foot high from the body. The 
 
 Knight fell to the ground when his head was 
 
 cut off, and Lancelot flung down the axe, and 
 
 thinketh that he will make but an ill stay there 
 
 for himself. He cometh to his horse, and taketh 
 
 his arms and mounteth and looketh behind him, 
 
 but seeth neither the body of the Knight nor the 
 
 head, neither knoweth he what hath become of 
 
 them all, save only that he heard much dole and 
 
 a great cry far off in the city of knights and 
 
 ladies, saying that he shall be avenged, please 
 
 God, at the term set, or before. Lancelot hath 
 
 heard and understood all that the knights say 
 
 and the ladies, and issueth forth of the city.
 
 BRANCH VIII 
 
 INCIPIT 
 
 Perceval's /^\F the most Holy Graal here beginneth 
 
 recovery V_>/ another branch in such wise as the 
 
 authority witnesseth and Joseph that made 
 
 recoverance thereof, in the name of the Father, 
 
 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 This high history and profitable witnesseth 
 us that the son of the Widow Lady sojourned 
 still with his uncle King Pelles in the hermitage, 
 and, through distress of the evil that he had 
 had since he came forth of the house of King 
 Fisherman, was he confessed to his uncle and 
 told him of what lineage he was, and that his 
 name was Perceval. But the good Hermit the 
 good King had given him the name of Parluifet, 
 for that he was made of himself. King Hermit 
 was one day gone into the forest, and the good 
 knight Parluifet felt himself sounder of health 
 and lustier than he wont to be. He heard the 
 birds sing in the forest, and his heart began to 
 swell of knighthood, and he minded him of the 
 adventures he wont to find in the forest and of 
 the damsels and knights that he wont to meet, 
 and never was he so fain of arms as was he 
 at that time, for that he had been sojourning 
 168
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 169 
 
 so long within doors. He felt courage in his Perceval 
 
 heart and lustiness in his limbs and fainness in would 
 
 his thought. Right soon armeth he himself and /. ai ? f 
 
 setteth the saddle on his horse and mounteth 
 
 forthwith. He prayeth God give him adventure 
 
 that he may meet good knight, setteth himself 
 
 forth of his uncle's hermitage and entereth into 
 
 the forest that was broad and shady. He 
 
 rideth until he cometh into a launde that was 
 
 right spacious, and seeth a leafy tree that was 
 
 at the head of the launde. He alighteth in 
 
 the shadow, and thinketh to himself that two 
 
 knights might joust on this bit of ground fair 
 
 and well, for the place was right broad. And, 
 
 even as he was thinking on this wise, he heard 
 
 a horse neigh full loud in the forest three times, 
 
 and right glad was he thereof and said : ' Ha, 
 
 God, of your sweetness grant that there be a 
 
 knight with that horse, so may I prove whether 
 
 there be any force or valour or knighthood in 
 
 me. For I know not now what strength I 
 
 may have, nor even whether my heart be sound 
 
 and my limbs whole. For on a knight that 
 
 hath neither hardihood nor valour in himself, 
 
 may not another knight that hath more force in 
 
 him reasonably prove his mettle, for many a 
 
 time have I heard say that one is better than 
 
 other. And for this pray I to the Saviour 
 
 and this be a knight that cometh there, that he 
 
 may have strength and hardihood and mettle 
 
 to defend his body against mine own, for great 
 
 desire have I to run upon him. Grant now 
 
 that he slay me not, nor I him ! '
 
 170 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval 
 runneth n 
 
 . U P. 01 ? Therewithal, he looketh before him, and 
 seeth the knight issue from the forest and enter 
 into the launde. The knight was armed and 
 had at his neck a white shield with a cross of 
 gold. He carried his lance low, and sate upon 
 a great destrier and rode at a swift pace. As 
 soon as Perceval seeth him, he steadieth him in 
 his stirrups and setteth spear in rest and smiteth 
 his horse with his spurs, right joyous, and goeth 
 toward the knight a great gallop. Then he 
 crieth : ' Sir Knight, cover you of your shield 
 to guard you as I do of mine to defend my 
 body, for you do I defy on this side slaying, 
 and our Lord God grant that I find you so 
 good knight as shall try what hardihood of 
 heart I may have, for I am not such as I have 
 been aforetime, and better may one learn of a 
 good knight than of a bad.' With that he 
 smiteth the knight upon his shield with such a 
 sweep that he maketh him lose one of his 
 stirrups and pierceth his shield above the boss, 
 and passeth beyond full speed. And the knight 
 marvelleth much, and maketh demand, saying, 
 ' Fair Sir, what misdeed have I done you ? ' 
 Perceval is silent, and hath no great joy of this 
 that he hath not overthrown the knight, but not 
 so easy was he to overthrow, for he was one of 
 the knights of the world that could most of 
 defence of arms. He goeth toward Perceval 
 as fast as his horse may carry him and Perceval 
 toward him. They mell together upon their 
 shields right stiffly, so that they pierce and batter
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 171 
 
 them with the points of their spears. And Both are 
 Perceval thrusteth his spear into the flesh two wounded 
 finger-breadths, and the knight doth not amiss, for 
 he passeth his spear right through his arm so that 
 the shafts of the lances were splintered. They 
 hurtle together either against other at the passing 
 so mightily, that the flinders of iron from the 
 mail of their habergeons stick into their fore- 
 heads and faces, and the blood leapeth forth by 
 mouth and nose so that their habergeons were 
 all bloody. They drew their swords with a 
 right great sweep. The knight of the white 
 shield holdeth Perceval's rein and saith : ' Gladly 
 would I know who you are and wherefore you 
 hate me, for you have wounded me right sore, 
 and sturdy knight have I found you and of 
 great strength.' Perceval saith not a word to 
 him and runneth again upon him sword drawn, 
 and the knight upon him, and right great buffets 
 either giveth other on the helm, so that their 
 eyes all sparkle of stars and the forest resoundeth 
 of the clashing of their swords. Right tough 
 was the battle and right horrible, for good 
 knights were both twain. But the blood that 
 ran down from their wounds at last slackened 
 their sinews, albeit the passing great wrath that 
 the one had against the other, and the passing 
 great heat of their will, had so enchafed them 
 they scarce remembered the wounds that they 
 had, and still dealt each other great buffets with- 
 out sparing. 
 
 Ill 
 King Hermit cometh from labouring in 
 the forest and findeth not his nephew in the
 
 172 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 King hermitage, whereof is he right sorrowful, and 
 Hermit h e mounteth on a white mule that he had 
 therewithin. She was starred in the midst of 
 her forehead with a red cross. Josephus the 
 good clerk witnesseth us that this same mule 
 had belonged to Joseph of Abarimacie at 
 
 , the time he was Pilate's soldier, and that he 
 
 bequeathed her to King Pelles. King Hermit 
 departeth from the hermitage and prayeth God 
 grant him to find his nephew. He goeth 
 through the forest and rideth until he draweth 
 nigh the launde where the two knights were. 
 He heareth the strokes of the swords, and 
 cometh towards them full speed and setteth him 
 between the twain to forbid them. * Ha, sir,' 
 saith he to the Knight of the White Shield, 
 ' Right great ill do you to combat against this 
 knight that hath lain sick this long time in this 
 forest, and right sorely have you wounded him.' 
 ' Sir,' saith the knight, * As much hath he done 
 by me, and never would I have run upon him 
 now had he not challenged me, and he is not 
 minded to tell me who he is nor whence ariseth 
 his hatred of me.' * Fair Sir,' saith the 
 Hermit, ' And you, who are you ? ' * Sir,' 
 saith the knight, ' I will tell you. I am the 
 son of King Ban of Benoic' ' Ha, fair 
 nephew,' saith King Hermit to Perceval, ' See 
 here your cousin, for King Ban of Benoic was 
 your father's cousin-german. Make him right 
 great cheer ! ' He maketh them take off their 
 helmets and lower their ventails, and then kiss 
 one another, afterward he leadeth them to his 
 hermitage. They alight together. He calleth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 173 
 
 his own squire that waited upon him, and made A wise 
 them be disarmed right tenderly. There was leech 
 a damsel within that was cousin-german to 
 King Pelles and had tended Perceval within in 
 his sickness. She washeth their wounds right 
 sweetly and cleanseth them of the blood. And 
 they see that Lancelot is sorer wounded than 
 Perceval. ' Damsel,' saith the Hermit, ' How 
 seemeth you ? ' ' Sir,' saith she, * Needs must 
 this knight sojourn here, for his wound is in a 
 right perilous place.' ' Hath he danger of 
 death ? ' * Sir,' saith she, ' In no wise of this 
 wound, but behoveth him take good heed 
 thereto.' * God be praised ! ' saith he, ' And 
 of my nephew how seemeth you ? ' ' Sir, the 
 wound that he hath will be soon healed. He 
 will have none ill thereof.' 
 
 IV 
 
 The damsel, that was right cunning of leech- 
 craft, tended the wounds of the knights, and 
 made them whole as best she might, and King 
 Hermit himself gave counsel therein. But and 
 Perceval had borne his shield that was there 
 within, of sinople with a white hart, Lancelot 
 would have known him well, nor would there 
 have been any quarrel between them, for he had 
 heard tell of this shield at the court of King 
 Arthur. The authority of this story recordeth 
 that the two knights are in hermitage, and that 
 Perceval is well-nigh whole; but Lancelot 
 hath sore pain of his wound and is still far 
 from his healing.
 
 BRANCH IX 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Clamados ^JOW the story is silent about the two 
 of the J. ^1 knights for a little time, and speaketh of 
 
 Shadows t ^ e squire that Messire Gawain meeteth in the 
 midst of the forest, that told him he went seek 
 the son of the Widow Lady that had slain his 
 father. And the squire saith that he will go to 
 avenge him, wherefore cometh he to the court 
 of King Arthur, for that he had heard tell how 
 all good knights repaired thither. And he 
 seeth the shield hang on the column in the midst 
 of the hall that the Damsel of the Car had 
 brought thither. The squire knoweth it well, 
 and kneeleth before the King and saluteth him, 
 and the King returneth his salute and asketh 
 who he is. ' Sir,' saith he, ' I am the son of 
 the Knight of the Red Shield of the Forest 
 of Shadows, that was slain of the Knight that 
 ought to bear the shield that hangeth on this 
 column, wherefore would I right gladly hear 
 tidings of him.' 'As gladly would I,' saith 
 the King, ' so that no evil came to him thereof, 
 for he is the knight of the world that I most 
 desire.' ' Sir,' saith the Squire, ' Well be- 
 hoveth me to hate him for that he slew my 
 father. He that ought to bear this shield was 
 squire when he slew him, wherefore am I the 
 more sorrowful for that I thought to be avenged 
 
 174
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 175 
 
 upon him squire. But this I may not do, knighted 
 wherefore I pray you for Gcd's sake that you by 
 will make me knight, for the like favour are ** r " iur 
 you accustomed to grant to others.' What is 
 your name, fair friend ? ' saith the King. Sir,' 
 saith he, ' I am called Clamados of the Shadows.' 
 Messire Gawain that had repaired to court, was 
 in the hall, and said to the King : ' If this 
 squire be enemy of the Good Knight that 
 ought to bear this shield, behoveth you not set 
 forward his mortal enemy but rather set him 
 back, for he is the Best Knight of the world 
 and the most chaste that liveth in the world 
 and of the most holy lineage, and therefore have 
 you sojourned right long time in this castle to 
 await his coming. I say not this for the hinder- 
 ing of the squire's advancement, but that you 
 may do nought whereof the Good Knight may 
 have cause of complaint against you.' ' Messire 
 Gawain,' saith Queen Guenievre, ' well know 
 I that you love my Lord's honour, but sore 
 blame will he have if he make not this one 
 knight, for so much hath he never refused to 
 do for any ; nor yet will the Good Knight 
 have any misliking thereof, for greater shame 
 should he have, and greater despite of the 
 hatred of a squire than of a knight ; for never 
 yet was good knight that was not prudent and 
 well-advised and slow to take offence. Where- 
 fore I tell you that he will assuredly listen to 
 reason, and I commend my Lord the rather 
 that he make him knight, for much blame 
 would he have of gainsaying him.' Lady,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, So you are content, I
 
 176 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The am happy.' The King made him knight right 
 damsels richly, and when he was clad in the robes, they 
 -. e of the court declare and witness that never this 
 long time past had they seen at the court knight 
 of greater comeliness. He sojourned therein 
 long time, and was much honoured of the King 
 and all the barons. He was every day on the 
 watch for the Good Knight that should come 
 for the shield, but the hour and the place were 
 not as yet. 
 
 II 
 
 When he saw that he did not come, he took 
 leave of the King and the Queen and all them 
 of the court, and departed, thinking him that he 
 would go prove his knighthood in some place 
 until he should have heard tidings of his mortal 
 enemy. He rideth amidst the great forests 
 bearing a red shield like as did his father, and 
 he was all armed as for defending of his body. 
 And a long space of time he rideth, until one 
 day he cometh to the head of a forest, and he 
 espied his way that ran between two mountains 
 and saw that he had to pass along the midst of 
 the valley that lay at a great depth. He 
 looketh before him and seeth a tree far away 
 from him, and underneath were three damsels 
 alighted, and one prayed God right heartily 
 aloud that He would send them betimes a 
 knight that durst convoy them through this 
 6trait pass. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Clamados heareth the damsel and cometh 
 thitherward. When they espied him, great joy
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 177 
 
 have they thereof and rise up to meet him. Clamados 
 
 * Sir,' say they, ' Welcome may you be ! ' con " 
 
 ' Damsels,' saith he, ' Good adventure may you ^1^ 
 
 have ! And whom await you here ? ' saith he. 
 
 ' We await,' saith the Mistress of the damsels, 
 
 'some knight that shall clear this pass, for no 
 
 knight durst pass hereby.' 'What is the pass, 
 
 then, damsel ? ' saith he. ' It is the one of a 
 
 lion, and a lion, moreover, so fell and horrible 
 
 that never was none seen more cruel. And 
 
 there is a knight with the lion between the two 
 
 mountains that is right good knight and hardy 
 
 and comely. Howbeit none durst pass without 
 
 great company of folk. But the knight that 
 
 hath repair with the lion is seldom there, for so 
 
 he were there we need fear no danger, for much 
 
 courtesy is there in him and valour.' And the 
 
 knight looketh and seeth in the shadow of the 
 
 forest three fair stags harnessed to a car. ' Ha,' 
 
 saith he, ' You are the Damsel of the Car, 
 
 wherefore may you well tell me tidings of the 
 
 knight of whom I am in quest.' ' Who is he ? ' 
 
 saith the Damsel. ' It is he that should bear a 
 
 shield banded argent and azure with a red cross.' 
 
 1 Of him am I likewise in quest,' saith the 
 
 Damsel ; ' please God, we shall hear tidings of 
 
 him betimes.' 'Damsel,' saith the knight, 
 
 ' that would I. And for that you are in quest 
 
 of him as am I likewise, I will convoy you 
 
 beyond this pass.' The Damsel maketh her 
 
 Car go on before, and the damsels go before the 
 
 knight ; and so enter they into the field of the 
 
 lion, and right fair land found they therewithin. 
 
 Clamados looketh and seeth the hall within an
 
 178 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Clamados enclosure and seeth the lion that lay at the 
 killeth entrance of the gateway. As soon as he 
 the lion eS pi e th Clamados and the damsels, he cometh 
 toward them full speed, mouth open and ears 
 pricked up. * Sir,' saith the Damsel, and 
 you defend not your horse on foot, he is dead 
 at the first onset.' 
 
 IV 
 
 Clamados is alighted to his feet, by her 
 counsel, and holdeth his spear in his fist, and 
 the lion rampeth toward him all in a fury. 
 Clamados receiveth him on the point of his 
 spear, and smiteth him therewith so stoutly that 
 it passeth a fathom beyond his neck. He 
 draweth back his spear without breaking it, 
 and thinketh to smite him again. But the 
 lion cheateth him, and raising himself on his 
 two hinder feet, setteth his fore feet on his 
 shoulders, then huggeth him toward him like as 
 one man doth another. But the grip was sore 
 grievous, for he rendeth his habergeon in twain 
 and so teareth away as much flesh as he can 
 claw hold on. 
 
 When Clamados felt himself wounded, he 
 redoubled his hardihood, and grippeth the lion 
 so straitly to him that he wringeth a huge roar 
 out of him, and then flingeth him to the ground 
 beneath him. Then he draweth his sword and 
 thrusteth it to the heart right through the breast. 
 The lion roareth so loud that all the mountains 
 resound thereof. Clamados cutteth off his head
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 179 
 
 and goeth to hang it at the door of the hall, of Meliot 
 
 Then he cometh back to his horse and mounteth f Logres 
 
 the best he may. And the Damsel saith to 
 
 him, ' Sir, you are sore wounded.' ' Damsel,' 
 
 said he, * Please God, I shall take no hurt 
 
 thereof.' Thereupon, behold you a squire that 
 
 issueth forth of the hall and cometh after him 
 
 full speed. 'Hold, Sir Knight,' saith he ; ' Foul 
 
 wrong have you wrought, for you have slain the 
 
 lion of the most courteous knight that may be 
 
 known, and the fairest and most valiant of this 
 
 kingdom, and in his despite have you hung the 
 
 head at his door ! Right passing great outrage 
 
 have you done hereby ! ' * Fair sweet friend,' 
 
 saith Clamados, ' it may well be that the lord 
 
 is right courteous, but the lion was rascal and 
 
 would have slain me and them that were passing 
 
 by. And your lord loved him so much he 
 
 should have chained him up, for better liketh 
 
 me that I slew him than that he should slay 
 
 me.' ' Sir,' saith the squire, ' There is no road 
 
 this way, for it is a forbidden land whereof 
 
 certain would fain reave my lord, and it was 
 
 against the coming of his enemies that the lion 
 
 was allowed forth unchained.' 'And what 
 
 name hath your lord, fair friend ? ' saith 
 
 Clamados. ' Sir, he is called Meliot of Logres, 
 
 and he is gone in quest of Messire Gawain, of 
 
 whom he holdeth the land, for right dear is he 
 
 to him.' ' Messire Gawain,' saith Clamados, 
 
 ' left I at the court of King Arthur, but behoveth 
 
 him depart thence or ever I return thither.' 
 
 ' By my head,' saith the squire, ' Fain would I 
 
 you might meet them both twain, if only my
 
 i8o THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The lord knew that you had slain him his lion.' 
 
 Tents Fair friend/ saith Clamados, ' And he be as 
 
 courteous as you say, no misliking will he have 
 
 of me thereof, for I slew him in defending mine 
 
 own body, and God forbid I should meet any 
 
 that would do me evil therefor.' 
 * 
 
 VI 
 
 Thereupon the knight and the damsels depart 
 and pass the narrow strait in the lion's field, 
 and ride on until they draw nigh a right rich 
 castle seated in a meadowland surrounded of 
 great waters and high forests, and the castle 
 was always void of folk. And they were fain 
 to turn thitherward, but they met a squire that 
 told them that in the castle was not a soul, 
 albeit and they would ride forward they would 
 find great plenty of folk. So far forward have 
 they ridden that they are come to the head of a 
 forest and see great foison of tents stretched 
 right in the midst of a launde, and they were 
 compassed round of a great white sheet that 
 seemed from afar to be a long white wall with 
 crenels, and it was a good league Welsh in 
 length. They came to the entrance of the 
 tents and heard great joy within, and when they 
 had entered they saw dames and damsels, whereof 
 was great plenty, and of right passing great 
 beauty were they. Clamados alightcth, that 
 was right sore wounded. The Damsel of the 
 Car was received with right great joy. Two 
 of the damsels come to Clamados, of whom 
 make they right great joy. Afterward they 
 lead him to a tent and made disarm him. Then 
 
 N.
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 181 
 
 they washed his wounds right sweetly and The 
 tenderly. Then they brought him a right rich Queen 
 robe and made him be apparelled therein, and 2: ^ e 
 led him before the ladies of the tents, that made 
 right great joy of him. 
 
 VII 
 
 ' Lady,' saith the Damsel of the Car, 'This 
 knight hath saved my life, for he hath slain the 
 lion on account of which many folk durst not 
 come to you, wherefore make great joy of him.' 
 * Greater joy may I not make, than I do, nor 
 the damsels that are herein, for we await the 
 coming of the Good Knight that is healed, from 
 day to day. And now is there nought in the 
 world I more desire to see.' ' Lady,' saith 
 Clamados, ' Who is this Good Knight ? ' ' The 
 son of the Widow Lady of the Valleys of 
 Camelot,' saith she. ' Tell me, Lady, do you 
 say that he will come hither presently ? ' 'So 
 methinketh,' saith she. ' Lady, I also shall 
 have great joy thereof, and God grant he come 
 betimes ! ' ' Sir Knight,' saith she, ' What is 
 your name ? ' ' Lady,' saith he, ' I am called 
 Clamados, and I am son of the lord of the 
 Forest of Shadows.' She throweth her arms 
 on his neck and kisseth and embraceth him 
 right sweetly, and saith : ' Marvel not that I 
 make you joy thereof, for you are the son of 
 my sister-in-iaw, nor have I any friend nor 
 blood-kindred so nigh as are you, and fain 
 would I you should be lord of all my land and 
 of me, as is right and reason.' The damsels of 
 the tents make right great joy of him when
 
 182 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval they know the tidings that he is so nigh of kin 
 setteth to t he Lady of the Tents. And he sojourned 
 or therewithin until that he was whole and heal, 
 awaiting the coming of the knight of whom he 
 had heard the tidings. And the damsels marvel 
 them much that he cometh not, for the damsel 
 that had tended him was therewithin and telleth 
 them that he was healed of his arm, but that 
 Lancelot is not yet whole, wherefore he is still 
 within the hermitage. 
 
 VIII 
 
 This high history witnesseth us and recordeth 
 that Joseph, who maketh remembrance thereof, 
 was the first priest that sacrificed the body of 
 Our Lord, and forsomuch ought one to believe 
 the words that come of him. You have heard 
 tell how Perceval was of the lineage of Joseph 
 of Abarimacie, whom God so greatly loved for 
 that he took down His body hanging on the 
 cross, which he would not should lie in the prison 
 there where Pilate had set it. For the highness 
 of the lineage whereof the Good Knight was 
 descended ought one willingly to hear brought to 
 mind and recorded the words that are of him. 
 The story telleth us that he was departed of the 
 hermitage all sound and whole, albeit he hath 
 left Lancelot, for that his wound was not yet 
 healed, but he hath promised him that he will 
 come back to him so soon as he may. He 
 rideth amidst a forest, all armed, and cometh 
 toward evensong to the issue of the forest and 
 seeth a castle before him right fair and well 
 seated, and goeth thitherward for lodging, for
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 183 
 
 the sun was set. He entereth into the castle Chaos 
 and alighteth. The lord cometh to meet him the Red 
 that was a tall knight and a red, and had a felon 
 look, and his face scarred in many places ; and 
 knight was there none therewithin save only 
 himself and his household. 
 
 IX 
 
 When he seeth Perceval alighted, he runneth 
 to bar the door, and Perceval cometh over 
 against him. For all greeting, the knight 
 saluteth him thus : ' Now shall you have,' saith 
 he, ' such guerdon as you have deserved. 
 Never again shall you depart hence, for my 
 mortal enemy are you, and right hardy are you 
 thus to throw yourself upon me, for you slew 
 my brother the Lord of the Shadows, and Chaos 
 the Red am I that war upon your mother, and 
 this castle have I reft of her. In like manner 
 will I wring the life out of you or ever you 
 depart hence ! ' ' Already,' saith Perceval, 
 'have I thrown myself on this your hostel to 
 lodge with you, wherefore to blame would you 
 be to do me evil. But lodge me this night as 
 behoveth one knight do for another, and on the 
 morrow at departing let each do the best he 
 may.' ' By my head ! ' saith Chaos the Red, 
 'Mortal enemy of mine will I never harbour here 
 save I harbour him dead.' He runneth to the 
 hall above, and armeth himself as swiftly as he 
 may, and taketh his sword all naked in his hand 
 and cometh back to the place where Perceval 
 was, right full of anguish of heart for this that 
 he said, that he would war upon his mother and
 
 184 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval had reft her of this castle. He flung his spear 
 slayeth to the ground, and goeth toward him on foot 
 Chaos an( j d ea l e th him a huge buffet above the helmet 
 upon the coif of his habergeon, such that he 
 cleaveth the mail and cutteth off two fingers' - 
 breadth of the flesh in such sort that he made 
 him reel three times round. 
 
 When Chaos the Red felt himself wounded, 
 he was sore grieved thereof, and cometh toward 
 Perceval and striketh him a great buffet above 
 in the midst of his helmet, so that he made the 
 sparks fly and his neck stoop and his eyes 
 sparkle of stars. And the blow slippeth down 
 on to the shield, so that it is cleft right down 
 to the boss. Perceval felt his neck stiff and 
 heavy, and feeleth that the knight is sturdy and 
 of great might. He cometh back towards him, 
 and thinketh to strike him above in the midst of 
 his head, but Chaos swerved aside from him : 
 howbeit Perceval reached him and caught his 
 right arm and cutteth it sheer from his side, 
 sword and all, and sendeth it flying to the 
 ground, and Chaos runneth upon him, thinking 
 to grapple him with his left arm, but his force 
 was waning ; nathless right gladly would he 
 have avenged himself and he might. Howbeit, 
 Perceval setteth on him again that loved him 
 not in his heart, and smiteth him again above 
 on the head, and dealeth him such a buffet as 
 maketh his brains be all to-scattered abroad. 
 His household and servants were at the windows 
 of the hall. When they see that their lord is
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 185 
 
 nigh to the death, they cry to Perceval : ' Sir, The Key 
 
 you have slain the hardiest knight in the kingdom f Wales 
 
 of L ogres, and him that was most redoubted of 
 
 his enemies ; but we can do no otherwise ; we 
 
 know well that this castle is your mother's and 
 
 ought to be yours. We challenge it not ; 
 
 wherefore may you do your will of whatsoever 
 
 there is in the castle ; but allow us to go to our 
 
 lord that there lieth dead, and take away the 
 
 body and set it in some seemly place for the 
 
 sake of his good knighthood, and for that it 
 
 behoveth us so to do.' ' Readily do I grant it 
 
 you,' saith Perceval. They bear the body to a 
 
 chapel, then they disarm him and wind him in 
 
 his shroud. After that, they lead Perceval 
 
 into the hall and disarm him and say to him : 
 
 ' Sir, you may be well assured that there be 
 
 none but us twain herewithin and two damsels, 
 
 and the doors are barred, and behold, here are 
 
 the keys which we deliver up to you.' ' And 
 
 I command you,' saith Perceval, ' that you go 
 
 straightway to my mother, and tell her that she 
 
 shall see me betimes and I may get done, and 
 
 so salute her and tell her I am sound and 
 
 whole. And what is the name of this castle ? ' 
 
 ' Sir, it hath for name the Key of Wales, for it 
 
 is the gateway of the land.' 
 
 XI 
 
 Perceval lay the night in the castle he had 
 reconquered for his mother, and the morrow, 
 when he was armed, he departed. These 
 promised that they would keep the castle loyally 
 and would deliver it up to his mother at her
 
 186 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval will. He rode until he came to the tents where 
 at the the damsels were, and drew rein and listened. 
 Tents -g ut . there was no t so great joy as when the 
 damsel that rode like a knight and led the Car 
 came thither with Clamados. Great dole 
 heard he that was made, and beating of palms. 
 Wherefore he bethought him what folk they 
 might be. Natheless he was not minded to 
 draw back without entering. He alighted in 
 the midst of the tents and set down his shield 
 and his spear, and seeth the damsels wringing 
 their hands and tearing their hair, and much 
 marvelleth he wherefore it may be. A damsel 
 cometh forward that had set forth from the 
 castle where he had slain the knight : ' Sir, to 
 your shame and ill adventure may you have 
 come hither ! ' Perceval looketh at her and 
 marvelleth much of that she saith, and she crieth 
 out : ' Lady, behold here him that hath slain the 
 best knight of your lineage ! And you, Clamados, 
 that are within there, he hath slain your father and 
 your uncle ! Now shall it be seen what you will 
 do ! ' The Damsel of the Car cometh thither- 
 ward and knoweth Perceval by the shield that 
 he bare of sinople with a white hart. * Sir,' 
 saith she, Welcome may you be ! Let who will 
 make dole, I will make joy of your coming ! ' 
 
 XII 
 
 Therewith, the Damsel leadeth him into a 
 tent and maketh him sit on a right rich couch ; 
 afterward she maketh him be disarmed of her 
 two damsels and clad in a right rich robe. 
 Then she leadeth him to the Queen of the Tents
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 187 
 
 that was still making great dole. ' Lady,' The 
 saith the Damsel of the Car, ' Stint your sorrow, Queen 
 for behold, here is the Good Knight on whose * veth 
 account were the tents here pitched, and on 
 whose account no less have you been making this 
 great joy right up to this very day ! ' ' Ha,' 
 saith she, ' Is this then the son of the Widow 
 Lady?' 'Yea, certes,' saith the Damsel. 
 * Ha,' saith the Lady, ' He hath slain me the 
 best knight of all my kin, and the one that 
 protected me from mine enemies.' ' Lady,' 
 saith the Damsel, ' This one will be better able 
 to protect and defend us, for the Best Knight 
 is he of the world and the comeliest.' The 
 Queen taketh him by the hand and maketh him 
 sit beside her. ' Sir,' saith she, ' Howsoever 
 the adventure may have befallen, my heart 
 biddeth me make joy of your coming.' * Lady,' 
 saith he, ' Gramercy ! Chaos would fain have 
 slain me within his castle, and I defended myself 
 to my power.' The Queen looketh at him 
 amidst his face, and is taken with a love of him 
 so passing strong and fervent that she goeth 
 nigh to fall upon him. ' Sir,' saith she, ' And 
 you will grant me your love, I will pardon you 
 of all the death of Chaos the Red.' ' Lady,' 
 saith he, ' Your love am I right fain to deserve, 
 and mine you have.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' How 
 may I perceive that you love me ? ' ' Lady,' 
 saith he, ' I will tell you. There is no knight 
 in the world that shall desire to do you a wrong, 
 but I will help you against him to my power.' 
 ' Such love,' saith she, ' is the common love 
 that knight ought to bear to lady. Would you
 
 188 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Clamados do as much for another ? ' Lady,' saith he, 
 is wrath < It well may be, but more readily shall a man 
 give help in one place than in another.' The 
 Queen would fain that Perceval should pledge 
 himself to her further than he did, and the more 
 she looketh at him the better he pleaseth her, 
 and the more is she taken with him and the 
 more desirous of his love. But Perceval never 
 once thought of loving her or another in such 
 wise. He was glad to look upon her, for that 
 she was of passing great beauty, but never spake 
 he nought to her whereby she might perceive 
 that he loved her of inward love. But in no 
 wise might she refrain her heart, nor withdraw 
 her eyes, nor lose her desire. The damsels 
 looked upon her with wonder that so soon had 
 she forgotten her mourning. 
 
 XIII 
 
 Thereupon, behold you Clamados, that had 
 been told that this was the knight that, as yet 
 only squire, had slain his father and put Chaos 
 his uncle to death. He cometh into the tent 
 and seeth him sitting beside the Queen, that 
 looked at him right sweetly. 'Lady,' saith he, 
 ' Great shame do you to yourself, in that you 
 have seated at your side your own mortal enemy 
 and mine. Never again henceforth ought any 
 to have affiance in your love nor in your help.' 
 ' Clamados,' saith the Queen, ' The knight hath 
 thrown himself upon me suddenly. Wherefore 
 ought I do him no evil, rather behoveth me 
 lodge him and keep his body in safety. Nought, 
 moreover, hath he done whereof he might be
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 189 
 
 adjudged of murder nor of treason.' ' Lady,' Clamados 
 
 saith Clamados, ' He slew my father in the accuseth 
 
 Lonely Forest without defiance, and treacher- " ercevaI 
 
 ously cast a javelin at him and smote him 
 
 through the body, wherefore shall I never be 
 
 at ease until I have avenged him. Therefore 
 
 do I appeal and pray you to do me my right, 
 
 not as being of your kindred, but as stranger. 
 
 For right willing am I that kinship shall avail 
 
 me nought herein.' Perceval looketh at the 
 
 knight and seeth that he is of right goodly 
 
 complexion of body and right comely of face. 
 
 ' Fair Sir,' saith he, ' As of treason I would that 
 
 you hold me quit, for never toward your father 
 
 nor toward other have had I never a mind to do 
 
 treason, and God defend me from such shame, 
 
 and grant me strength to clear myself of any 
 
 blame thereof.' Clamados cometh forward to 
 
 proffer his gage. ' By my head,' saith the 
 
 Queen, ' Not this day shall gage be received 
 
 herein. But to-morrow will come day, and 
 
 counsel therewith, and then shall right be done 
 
 to each.' Clamados is moved of right great 
 
 wrath, but the Queen of the Tents showeth 
 
 Perceval the most honour she may, whereof is 
 
 Clamados right heavy, and saith that never ought 
 
 any to put his trust in woman. But wrongly 
 
 he blameth her therein, for she did it of the 
 
 passing great love she hath for Perceval, inasmuch 
 
 as well she knoweth that he is the Best Knight 
 
 of the world and the comeliest. But it only 
 
 irketh her the more that she may not find in him 
 
 any sign of special liking toward herself neither 
 
 in deed nor word, whereof is she beyond measure
 
 190 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Meliot sorrowful. The knights and damsels lay the 
 J" night in the tents until the morrow, and went to 
 
 Clamados ^ ear mass * n a cna P e ^ tnat was m trie m idst f 
 the tents. 
 
 XIV 
 
 When mass was sung, straightway behold 
 you, a knight that cometh all armed, bearing a 
 white shield at his neck. He alighteth in the 
 midst of the tents and cometh before the Queen 
 all armed, and saith : ' Lady, I plain me of a 
 knight that is there within that hath slain my 
 lion, and if you do me not right herein, I will 
 harass you as much or more than I will him, 
 and will harm you in every wise I may. 
 Wherefore I pray and require you, for the love 
 of Messire Gawain, whose man I am, that you 
 do me right herein.' 'What is the knight's 
 name?' saith the Queen. 'Lady,' saith he, 
 ' He is called Clamados of the Shadows, and 
 methinketh I see him yonder, for I knew him 
 when he was squire.' ' And what is your 
 name?' saith the Queen. 'Lady, I am called 
 Meliot of Logres.' ' Clamados,' saith the 
 Queen, ' Hear you what this knight saith ? ' 
 Yea, Lady,' saith he; 'But again I require 
 that you do me right of the knight that slew 
 my father and my uncle.' ' Lady,' saith 
 Meliot, ' I would fain go. I know not toward 
 whom the knight proffereth his gage, but him 
 do I appeal of felony for my lion that he hath 
 slain.' He taketh in his hand the skirt of his 
 habergeon : ' Lady, behold here the gage I 
 offer you.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 191 
 
 xv Th e 
 
 Queen 
 
 1 Clamados,' saith the Queen, < Hear you then alloweth 
 not that which this knight saith?' ' L ady,' battle 
 saith he, ' I hear him well. Truth it is that I 
 slew his lion, but not until after he had fallen upon 
 me, and made the wounds whereof I have been 
 healed herewithin. But well you know that the 
 knight who came hither last night hath done 
 me greater wrong than have I done this other. 
 Wherefore would I pray you that I may take 
 vengeance of him first.' ' You hear,' saith she, 
 * how this knight that hath come hither all armed 
 is fain to go back forthwith. Quit you, there- 
 fore, of him first, and then will we take 
 thought of the other.' ' Lady, gramercy ! ' saith 
 Meliot, ' and Messire Gawain will take it in 
 right good part, for this knight hath slain my 
 lion that defended me from all my enemies. 
 Nor is it true that the entrance to your tent was 
 deserted on account of my lion ; and in despite 
 of me hath he hung the head at my gate.' 'As 
 of the lion,' saith the Queen, ' you have no 
 quarrel against him and he slew him in defending 
 his body, but as of the despite he did you as you 
 say, when in nought had you done him any 
 wrong, it shall not be that right shall be denied 
 you in my court, and if you desire to deliver 
 battle, no blame shall you have thereof.' 
 
 XVI 
 
 Clamados maketh arm him and mounteth on 
 his horse, and he seemeth right hardy of his 
 arms and valorous. He cometh right in the
 
 192 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Both are midst of the tent, where the ground was fair 
 wounded and level, and found Meliot of Logres all armed 
 upon his horse, and a right comely knight was 
 he and a deliver. And the ladies and damsels 
 were round about the tilting-ground. * Sir,' 
 saith the Queen to Perceval, ' I will that you 
 keep the field for these knights.' Lady,' 
 saith he, 'At your pleasure.' Meliot moveth 
 toward Clamados right swiftly and Clamados 
 toward him, and they melled together on their 
 shields in such sort that they pierced them and 
 , cleft the mail of their habergeons asunder with 
 
 the points of their spears, and the twain are 
 both wounded so that the blood rayeth forth of 
 their bodies. The knights draw asunder to 
 take their career, for their spears were broken 
 short, and they come back the one toward the 
 other with a great rush, and smite each other on 
 the breast with their spears so stiffly that there 
 is none but should have been pierced within the 
 flesh, for the habergeons might protect them 
 not. They hurtle against each other so strongly 
 that knights and horses fall together to the 
 ground all in a heap. The Queen and the 
 damsels have great pity of the two knights, for they 
 see that they are both so passing sore wounded. 
 The two knights rise to their feet and hold 
 their swords naked and run the one on the 
 other right wrathfully, with such force as they 
 had left. ' Sir,' saith the Queen to Perceval, 
 ' Go part these two knights asunder that one 
 slay not the other, for they are sore wounded.' 
 Perceval goeth to part them and cometh to 
 Meliot of Logres. ' Sir,' saith he, ' With-
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 193 
 
 draw yourself back ; you have done enough.' Perceval 
 
 Clamados felt that he was sore wounded in two m ust 
 
 places, and that the wound he had in his breast ablde 
 
 was right great. He draweth himself back. 
 
 The Queen is come thither. ' Fair nephew,' 
 
 saith she, Are you badly wounded ? ' Yea, 
 
 Lady,' saith Clamados. ' Certes,' saith the 
 
 Queen, This grieveth me, but never yet saw I 
 
 knight and he were desirous of fighting, but 
 
 came at some time by mischance. A man may 
 
 not always stand on all his rights.' She made 
 
 him be carried on his shield into a tent, and 
 
 made search his wounds, and saw that of one 
 
 had he no need to fear, but that the other was 
 
 right sore perilous. 
 
 XVII 
 
 * Lady,' saith Clamados, ' Once more do I 
 pray and require you that you allow not the 
 knight that slew my father to issue forth from 
 hence, save he deliver good hostage that he 
 will come back when I shall be healed.' ' So 
 will I do, sith that it is your pleasure.' The 
 Queen cometh to the other knight that was 
 wounded, for that he declareth himself Messire 
 Gawain's man, and maketh search his wounds, 
 and they say that he hath not been hurt so sore 
 as is Clamados. She commandeth them to 
 tend him and wait upon him right well-willingly. 
 * Sir,' saith she to Perceval, ' Behoveth you 
 abide here until such time as my nephew be 
 heal, for you know well that whereof he 
 plaineth against you, nor would I that you 
 should depart hence without clearing you of the
 
 i94 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The blame.' ' Lady, no wish have I to depart with- 
 Damsel out y 0ur ] eave) but rather shall I be ready to 
 becometh , ir r ui u j i 
 
 surety c ^ ear m y se " * blame whensoever and where- 
 soever time and place may be. But herewithin 
 may I make not so long sojourn. Natheless 
 to this will I pledge my word, that I will 
 return thither within a term of fifteen days from 
 the time he shall be whole.' ' Sir,' saith the 
 Damsel of the Car, ' I will remain here in 
 hostage for you.' ' But do you pray him,' saith 
 the Queen, ' that he remain herewithin with us.' 
 
 XVIII 
 
 1 Lady,' saith Perceval, ' I may not, for I 
 left Lancelot wounded right sore in my uncle's 
 hermitage.' ' Sir,' saith the Queen, I would 
 fain that remaining here might have pleased 
 you as well as it would me.' 'Lady,' saith 
 he, ' None ought it to displease to be with you, 
 but every man behoveth keep his word as well 
 as he may, and none ought to lie to so good a 
 knight as he.' ' You promise me, then,' saith 
 the Queen, ' that you will return hither the 
 soonest you may, or at the least, within the 
 term appointed after you shall have learnt that 
 Clamados is healed, to defend you of the treason 
 that he layeth upon you ? ' Lady,' saith he, 
 * And if he die, shall I be quit ? ' ' Yea, truly, 
 Sir, and so be that you have no will to come 
 for love of me. For right well should I love 
 your coming.' 'Lady,' saith he, 'Never shall 
 be the day my services shall fail you, so I be 
 in place, and you in need thereof.' He taketh
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 195 
 
 leave and departeth, armed. The Damsel of Perceval 
 the Car commendeth him to God, and Perceval returneth 
 departeth full speed and rideth so far on his 
 journeys that he cometh to his uncle's hermitage 
 andentereth in, thinking to find Lancelot. But 
 his uncle telleth him that he hath departed all 
 sound and all heal of his wound, as of all other 
 malady, as him thinketh.
 
 BRANCH X 
 
 Lancelot A NOTHER branch of the Graal again 
 and the Xjl beginneth in the name of the Father, 
 Vavasour and of the Son> and of the Holy Ghost# 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 And the story is here silent of Perceval, and 
 saith that Lancelot goeth his way and rideth 
 by a forest until he findeth a castle amidst his 
 way at the head of a launde, and seeth at the 
 gateway of the castle an old knight and two 
 damsels sitting on a bridge. Thitherward 
 goeth he, and the knight and damsels rise up 
 to meet him, and Lancelot alighteth. ' Sir,' 
 saith the Vavasour, ' Welcome may you be.' 
 The damsels make great joy of him and lead 
 him into the castle. ' Sir,' saith the Vavasour, 
 ' Sore need had we of your coming.' He 
 maketh him go up into the hall above and be 
 disarmed of his arms. ' Sir,' saith the Vavasour, 
 * Now may you see great pity of these two 
 damsels that are my daughters. A certain man 
 would reave them of this castle for that no aid 
 nor succour have they save of me alone. And 
 little enough can I do, for I am old and feeble, 
 and my kin also are of no avail, insomuch that 
 hitherto have I been able to find no knight that 
 durst defend me from the knight that is fain to 
 
 190
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 197 
 
 reave this castle from me. And you seem to Lancelot 
 
 be of so great valiance that you will defend me maketh 
 
 well herein to-morrow, for the truce cometh to P ronuse 
 
 an end to-night.' 'How?' saith Lancelot, 
 
 ' I have but scarce come in hither to lodge, 
 
 and you desire me so soon already to engage 
 
 myself in battle ? ' * Sir,' saith the Vavasour, 
 
 * Herein may it well be proven whether there 
 
 be within you as much valour as there seemeth 
 
 from without to be. For, and you make good 
 
 the claim of these two damsels that are my 
 
 daughters to the fiefs that are of right their 
 
 own, you will win thereby the love of God 
 
 as well as praise of the world.' They fall at 
 
 his feet weeping, and pray him of mercy that 
 
 they may not be disherited. And he raiseth 
 
 them forthwith, as one that hath great pity 
 
 thereof. ' Damsels,' saith he, ' I will aid you 
 
 to my power. But I would fain that the term 
 
 be not long.' ' Sir,' say they, ' To-morrow is 
 
 the day, and to-morrow, so we have no knight 
 
 to meet him that challengeth this castle, we 
 
 shall have lost it. And our father is an old 
 
 knight, and hath no longer lustihood nor force 
 
 whereby he might defend it for us, and all 
 
 of our lineage are fallen and decayed. This 
 
 hatred hath fallen on us on account of Messire 
 
 Gawain, whom we harboured.' Lancelot lay 
 
 there the night within the castle and was right 
 
 well lodged and worshipfully entreated. And 
 
 on the morrow he armed himself when he had 
 
 heard mass, and leant at the windows of the 
 
 hall and seeth the gate shut and barred, and 
 
 heareth a horn sound without the gate three
 
 198 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A horn times right loud. ' Sir,' saith the Vavasour, 
 soundeth < The knight is come, and thinketh that within 
 here is no defence.' ' By my head,' saith 
 Lancelot, 'but there is, please God!' The 
 knight bloweth another blast of his horn. 
 ' Hearken, Sir,' saith the Vavasour, * It is nigh 
 noon, and he thinketh him that none will issue 
 hence to meet him.' 
 
 II 
 
 Lancelot cometh down below and findeth 
 his horse saddled and is mounted as soon. 
 The damsels are at his stirrup, and pray him 
 for God's sake remember to defend the honour 
 that is theirs of the castle, for, save only he 
 so doth, they must flee like beggars into other 
 lands. Thereupon the Knight soundeth his 
 horn again. Lancelot, when he heareth the 
 blast, hath no mind to abide longer, and forth- 
 with issueth out of the castle all armed, lance 
 in hand and shield at his neck. He seeth the 
 knight at the head of the bridge, all armed 
 under a tree. Thitherward cometh Lancelot 
 full speed. The knight seeth him coming, and 
 crieth to him. ' Sir Knight,' saith he, * What 
 demand you ? Come you hither to do me 
 evil?' 'Yea,' saith Lancelot, 'for that evil 
 are you fain to do to this castle ; wherefore on 
 behalf of the Vavasour and his daughters do I 
 defy you.' He moveth against the knight and 
 smiteth him on the shield with his spear and 
 the knight him. But Lancelot pierceth his 
 shield for him with his sword, and smiteth him 
 so stiffly that he pinneth his arm to his side,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 199 
 
 and hurtleth against him so passing stoutly that Marin 
 he thrusteth him to the ground, him and his the 
 horse, and runneth over him, sword drawn. J ealous 
 'Ha,' saith the knight to Lancelot, 'Withdraw 
 a little from over me, and slay me not, and tell 
 me your name, of your mercy.' ' What have 
 you to do with my name ? ' saith Lancelot. 
 ' Sir,' saith he, ' Gladly would I know it, for 
 a right good knight seem you to be, and so 
 have I well proven in the first encounter.' 
 1 Sir,' saith he, ' I am called Lancelot of the 
 Lake. And what is your name?' 'Sir,' 
 saith he, ' I am called Marin of the castle of 
 Gomeret. So am I father of Meliot of 
 L ogres. I pray you, by that you most love 
 in the world, that you slay me not.' ' So will 
 I do,' saith Lancelot, 'and you renounce not 
 your feud against this castle.' ' By my faith,' 
 saith the knight, ' Thus do I renounce it, and I 
 pledge myself that thenceforth for ever shall it 
 have no disturbance of me.' ' Your pledge,' 
 saith Lancelot, 'will I not accept save you 
 come in thither.' ' Sir,' saith the knight, 
 * You have sore wounded me in such sort that 
 I cannot mount but with right great pain.' 
 Lancelot helpeth him until he was mounted 
 again on his horse, and leadeth him into the 
 castle with him, and maketh him present his 
 sword to the Vavasour and his daughters, and 
 yield up his shield and his arms, and afterward 
 swear upon hallows that never again will he 
 make war upon them. Lancelot thereupon 
 receiveth his pledge to forego all claim to the 
 castle and Marin turneth him back to Gomeret.
 
 200 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The The Vavasour and his daughters abide in great 
 
 Burning j oy# 
 
 City J 3 
 
 J III 
 
 The story saith that Lancelot went his way 
 by strange lands and by forests to seek adventure, 
 and rode until he found a plain land lying with- 
 out a city that seemed to be of right great 
 lordship. As he was riding by the plain land, 
 he looketh toward the forest and seeth the plain 
 fair and wide and the land right level. He 
 rideth all the plain, and looketh toward the city 
 t and seeth great plenty of folk issuing forth 
 thereof. And with them was there much 
 noise of bag-pipes and flutes and viols and 
 many instruments of music, and they came 
 along the way wherein was Lancelot riding. 
 When the foremost came up to him, they halted 
 and redoubled their joy. ' Sir,' say they, 
 * Welcome may you be ! ' Lords,' saith 
 Lancelot, 'Whom come ye to meet with such 
 joy ? ' * Sir,' say they, ' They that come 
 behind there will tell you clearly that whereof 
 we are in need.' 
 
 IV 
 
 Thereupon behold you the provosts and the 
 lords of the city, and they come over against 
 Lancelot. ' Sir,' say they, ' All this joy is 
 made along of you, and all these instruments 
 of music are moved to joy and sound of glad- 
 ness for your coming.' ' But wherefore for 
 me?' saith Lancelot. 'That shall you know 
 well betimes,' say they. ' This city began to 
 burn and to melt in one of the houses from the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 201 
 
 very same hour that our king was dead, nor A parlous 
 
 might the fire be quenched, nor never will kingship 
 
 be quenched until such time as we have a 
 
 king that shall be lord of the city and 
 
 of the honour thereunto belonging, and on 
 
 New Year's Day behoveth him to be crowned 
 
 in the midst of the fire, and then shall the fire 
 
 be quenched, for otherwise may it never be 
 
 put out nor extinguished. Wherefore have we 
 
 come to meet you to give you the royalty, for 
 
 we have been told that you are a good knight.' 
 
 * Lords,' saith Lancelot, * Of such a kingdom 
 
 have I no need, and God defend me from it.' 
 
 ' Sir,' say they, * You may not be defended 
 
 thereof, for you come into this land at hazard, 
 
 and great grief would it be that so good land as 
 
 you see this is were burnt and melted away by 
 
 the default of one single man, and the lordship 
 
 is right great, and this will be right great 
 
 worship to yourself, that on New Year's Day 
 
 you should be crowned in the fire and thus save 
 
 this city and this great people, and thereof shall 
 
 you have great praise.' 
 
 Much marvelleth Lancelot of this that they 
 say. They come round about him on all sides 
 and lead him into the city. The ladies and 
 damsels are mounted to the windows of the 
 great houses and make great joy, and say the 
 one to another, * Look at the new king here that 
 they are leading in. Now will he quench the 
 fire on New Year's Day.' ' Lord ! ' say the 
 most part, ' What great pity is it of so comely
 
 202 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot a knight that he shall end on such-wise ! ' 'Be 
 refuseth still ! ' say the others. Rather should there be 
 a crown g reat j y ^at s0 f a j r c jty as [ s this should 
 be saved by his death, for prayer will be made 
 throughout all the kingdom for his soul for 
 ever ! ' Therewith they lead him to the palace 
 with right great joy and say that they will 
 crown him. Lancelot found the palace all 
 strown with rushes and hung about with curtains 
 of rich cloths of silk, and the lords of the city 
 all apparelled to do him homage. But he 
 refuseth right stoutly, and saith that their king 
 nor their lord will he never be in no such sort. 
 Thereupon behold you a dwarf that entereth 
 into the city, leading one of the fairest dames 
 that be in any kingdom, and asketh whereof 
 this joy and this murmuring may be. They 
 tell him they are fain to make the knight king, 
 but that he is not minded to allow them, and 
 they tell him the whole manner of the fire. 
 
 VI 
 
 The dwarf and the damsel are alighted, then 
 they mount up to the palace. The dwarf 
 calleth the provosts of the city and the greater 
 lords. ' Lords,' saith he, ' Sith that this knight 
 is not willing to be king, I will be so willingly, 
 and I will govern the city at your pleasure and 
 do whatsoever you have devised to do.' ' In 
 faith, sith that the knight refuseth this honour 
 and you desire to have it, willingly will we 
 grant it you, and he may go his way and his 
 road, for herein do we declare him wholly quit.' 
 Therewithal they set the crown on the dwarf's
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 203 
 
 head, and Lancelot maketh great joy thereof. The 
 He taketh his leave, and they commend him to 7 0un g 
 God, and so remounteth he on his horse and " ernut 
 goeth his way through the midst of the city all 
 armed. The dames and damsels say that he 
 would not be king for that he had no mind to 
 die so soon. When he came forth of the city 
 right well pleased was he. He entereth a 
 great forest and rideth on till daylight began to 
 fail, and seeth before him a hermitage newly 
 stablished, for the house and the chapel were 
 all builded new. He cometh thitherward and 
 alighteth to lodge. The hermit, that was 
 young without beard or other hair on his face, 
 issued from his chapel. ' Sir,' saith he to 
 Lancelot, ' You are he that is welcome.' ' And 
 you, sir, good adventure to you,' saith Lancelot. 
 ' Never have I seen hermit so young as you.' 
 * Sir, of this only do I repent me, that I came 
 not hither ere now.' 
 
 VII 
 
 Therewith he maketh his horse be stabled, 
 and leadeth him into his hermitage, and so 
 maketh disarm him and setteth him at ease as 
 much as he may. ' Sir,' saith the hermit, 
 ' Can you tell me any tidings of a knight that 
 hath lain sick of a long time in the house of a 
 hermit ? ' ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' It is no long 
 time agone sithence I saw him in the house of 
 the good King Hermit, that hath tended me 
 and healed me right sweetly of the wounds that 
 the knight gave me.' 'And is the knight 
 healed, then ? ' saith the hermit. ' Yea, Sir,'
 
 2o 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot saith Lancelot, Whereof is right great joy. 
 
 and And wherefore do you ask me ?' ' Well 
 
 joseus OU gj lt j t0 as j, j tj ggj^ ^g hermit, ' For my 
 
 father is King Pelles, and his mother is my 
 father's own sister.' ' Ha, Sir, then is the 
 King Hermit your father ? ' 'Yea, Sir, certes.' 
 ' Thereof do I love you the better,' saith 
 Lancelot, ' For never found I any man that 
 hath done me so much of love as hath he. 
 And what, Sir, is your name ? ' * Sir,' saith 
 he, * My name is Joseus, and yours, what ? ' 
 ' Sir,' saith he, ' I am called Lancelot of the 
 Lake.' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' Right close 
 are we akin, I and you.' ' By my head,' saith 
 Lancelot, 'Hereof am I right glad at heart.' 
 Lancelot looketh and seeth in the hermit's 
 house shield and spear, javelins and habergeon. 
 ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'What do you with these 
 arms ? ' ' Sir,' saith he, ' This forest is right 
 lonely, and this hermitage is far from any 
 folk, and none are there herewithin save me and 
 my squire. So, when robbers come hither, we 
 defend ourselves therewith.' ' But hermits, 
 methought, never assaulted nor wounded nor 
 slew ? ' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' God forbid 
 I should wound any man or slay ! ' ' And 
 how, then, do you defend yourselves ? ' saith 
 Lancelot. ' Sir, I will tell you thereof. 
 When robbers come to us, we arm ourselves 
 accordingly. If I may catch hold of any in 
 my hands, he cannot escape me. Our squire is 
 so well-grown and hardy that he slayeth him 
 forthwith or handleth him in such sort that he 
 may never help himself after.' ' By my head,'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 205 
 
 saith Lancelot, ' Were you not hermit, you Four 
 would be valiant throughout.' ' By my head,' robber 
 saith the squire, You say true, for methinketh * m S llts 
 there is none so strong nor so hardy as he in 
 all the kingdom of L ogres.' The hermit 
 lodged Lancelot the night the best he could. 
 
 VIII 
 
 When as they were in their first sleep, come 
 four robber-knights of the forest that knew how 
 a knight was lodged therewith in, and had coveted 
 his horse and his arms. The hermit that was 
 in his chapel saw them first, and awoke his 
 squire and made bring his arms all secretly; 
 then he made his squire arm. ' Sir,' saith the 
 squire, ' Shall I waken the knight ? ' 'In no- 
 wise,' saith the hermit, until such time as we 
 shall know wherefore.' He maketh open the 
 door of the chapel and taketh a great coil of 
 rope, and they issue forth, he and his squire, 
 and they perceived the robbers in the stable 
 where Lancelot's horse was. The hermit 
 crieth out : the squire cometh forward and 
 thereupon beareth one to the ground with his 
 spear. The hermit seizeth him and bindeth 
 him to a tree so strait that he may not move. 
 The other three think to defend them and to 
 rescue their fellow. Lancelot leapeth up all 
 startled when he heareth the noise and armeth 
 himself as quickly as he may, albeit not so 
 quickly but that or ever he come, the hermit 
 hath taken the other three and bound them 
 with the fourth. But of them were some 
 that were wounded right sore. * Sir,' saith the
 
 206 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot hermit to Lancelot, It grieveth me that you 
 hangeth ftave Deen awakened.' ' Rather,' saith Lancelot, 
 k ' h* 6 ' nave y ou done me g reat wrong for that you 
 ought to have awakened me sooner.' ' Sir,' 
 saith the hermit, ' We have assaults such as this 
 often enough.' The four robbers cry mercy of 
 Lancelot that he will pray the hermit to have 
 pity upon them. And Lancelot saith God 
 help not him that shall have pity on thieves ! 
 As soon as it was daylight, Lancelot and the 
 squire lead them into the forest, their hands all 
 j tied behind their backs, and have hanged them 
 
 in a waste place far away from the hermitage. 
 Lancelot cometh back again and taketh leave of 
 Joseus the young hermit, and saith it is great 
 loss to the world that he is not knight. * Sir,' 
 saith the squire, ' To me is it great joy, for many 
 a man should surfer thereby.' Lancelot is 
 mounted, and Joseus commendeth him to God, 
 praying him much that he salute his father and 
 cousin on his behalf, and Messire Gawain like- 
 wise that he met in the forest what time he 
 came all weeping to the hermitage. 
 
 IX 
 
 Lancelot hath set him forth again upon his 
 way, and rideth by the high forests and findeth 
 holds and hermitages enough, but the story 
 maketh not remembrance of all the hostels 
 wherein he harboured him. So far hath he 
 ridden that he is come forth of the forest and 
 findeth a right fair meadow-land all loaded with 
 flowers, and a river ran in the midst thereof 
 that was right fair and broad, and there was
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 207 
 
 forest on the one side and the other, and the The 
 meadow lands were wide and far betwixt the Castle 
 river and the forest. Lancelot looketh on the r ? 
 river before him and seeth a man rowing a great 
 boat, and seeth within the boat two knights, 
 white and bald, and a damsel, as it seemed him, 
 that held in her lap the head of a knight that 
 lay upon a mattress of straw and was covered 
 with a coverlid of marten's fur, and another 
 damsel sate at his feet. There was a knight 
 within in the midst of the boat that was fishing 
 with an angle, the rod whereof seemeth of gold, 
 and right great fish he took. A little cock-boat 
 followed the boat, wherein he set the fish he 
 took. Lancelot cometh anigh the bank the 
 swiftest he may, and so saluteth the knights and 
 damsels, and they return his salute right sweetly. 
 'Lords,' saith Lancelot, 'is there no castle 
 nigh at hand nor no harbour ? ' ' Yea, Sir,' 
 say they, ' Beyond that mountain, right fair and 
 rich, and this river runneth thither all round 
 about it.' ' Lords, whose castle is it ? ' ' Sir,' 
 say they, ' It is King Fisherman's, and the good 
 knights lodge there when he is in this country ; 
 but such knights have been harboured there as 
 that the lord of the land hath had good right to 
 plain him thereof.' The knights go rowing 
 along the river, and Lancelot rideth until he 
 cometh to the foot of the mountain and findeth 
 a hermitage beside a spring, and bethinketh him, 
 since it behoveth him to go to so high a hostel 
 and so rich, where the Holy Graal appeareth, 
 he will confess him to the good man. He 
 alighteth and confesseth to the good man, and
 
 208 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lance- rehearseth all his sins, and saith that of all 
 lot's con- thereof doth he repent him save only one, and 
 
 lession t ^ e hermit asketh him what it is whereof he is 
 unwilling to repent. ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' It 
 seemeth to me the fairest sin and the sweetest 
 that ever I committed.' ' Fair Sir,' saith the 
 hermit, ' Sin is sweet to do, but right bitter be 
 the wages thereof; neither is there any sin 
 that is fair nor seemly, albeit there be some 
 sins more dreadfuller than other.' ' Sir,' saith 
 Lancelot, * This sin will I reveal to you of my 
 lips, but of my heart may I never repent me 
 thereof. I love my Lady, which is the Queen, 
 more than aught else that liveth, and albeit one 
 of the best kings on live hath her to wife. The 
 affection seemeth me so good and so high that I 
 cannot let go thereof, for, so rooted is it in my 
 heart that thence may it nevermore depart, and 
 the best knighthood that is in me cometh to 
 me only of her affection.' * Alas ! ' saith the 
 hermit, ' Sinner of mortal sin, what is this that 
 you have spoken ? Never may no knighthood 
 come of such wantonness that shall not cost you 
 right dear ! A traitor are you toward our 
 earthly lord, and a murderer toward Our 
 Saviour. Of the seven deadly sins, you are 
 labouring under the one whereof the delights 
 are the falsest of any, wherefore right dearly 
 shall you aby thereof, save you repent you forth- 
 with.' 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'Never the more 
 do I desire to cast it from me.' ' As much,' 
 saith the hermit, ' is that as to say that you 
 ought long since to have cast it from you and 
 renounced it. For so long as you maintain it,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 209 
 
 so long are you an enemy of the Saviour ! ' The 
 Ha, Sir,' saith Lancelot, * She hath in her hermit 
 such beauty and worth and wisdom and courtesy P >u h Jn 
 and nobleness that never ought she to be for- 
 gotten of any that hath loved her ! ' 
 
 * The more of beauty and worth she hath in 
 her,' saith the hermit, ' so much the more 
 blame hath she of that she doeth, and you 
 likewise. For of that which is of little worth 
 is the loss not so great as of that which is much 
 worth. And this is a Queen, blessed and 
 anointed, that was thus, therefore, in her begin- 
 ning vowed to God ; yet now is she given over 
 to the Devil of her love for you, and you of 
 your love for her. Fair, sweet my friend,' 
 saith the hermit, 'Let go this folly, which is 
 so cruel, that you have taken in hand, and be 
 repentant of these sins ! So every day will I 
 pray to the Saviour for you, that so truly as 
 He pardoned His death to him that smote Him 
 with a lance in His side, so may He pardon 
 you of this sin that you have maintained, and 
 that so you be repentant and truly confessed 
 thereof, I may take the penance due thereunto 
 upon myself! ' ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' I thank 
 you much, but I am not minded to renounce 
 it, nor have I no wish to speak aught wherewith 
 my heart accordeth not. I am willing enough 
 to do penance as great as is enjoined of this sin, 
 but my Lady the Queen will I serve so long as 
 it may be her pleasure, and I may have her 
 good will. So dearly do I love her that I
 
 210 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot wish not even that any will should come to 
 loveth me t0 renounce her love, and God is so sweet 
 w and so full of right merciful mildness, as good 
 men bear witness, that He will have pity upon 
 us, for never no treason have I done toward 
 her, nor she toward me.' ' Ha, fair sweet 
 friend,' saith the hermit, ' Nought may you 
 avail you of whatsoever I may say, wherefore 
 God grant her such will and you also, that you 
 may be able to do the will of Our Saviour. 
 But so much am I fain to tell you, that and 
 if you shall lie in the hostel of King Fisherman, 
 yet never may you behold the Graal for the 
 mortal sin that lieth at your heart.' ' May our 
 Lord God,' saith Lancelot, ' counsel me therein 
 at His pleasure and at His will ! ' 'So may 
 He do ! ' saith the hermit, ' For of a truth you 
 may know thereof am I right fain.' 
 
 XI 
 
 Lancelot taketh leave of the hermit, and 
 is mounted forthwith and departeth from the 
 hermitage. And evening draweth on, and he 
 seeth that it is time to lodge him. And he 
 espieth before him the castle of the rich King 
 Fisherman. He seeth the bridges, broad and 
 long, but they seem not to him the same as they 
 had seemed to Messire Gawain. He beholdeth 
 the rich entrance of the gateway there where 
 Our Lord God was figured as He was set upon 
 the rood, and seeth two lions that guard the 
 entrance of the gate. Lancelot thinketh that 
 sith Messire Gawain had passed through amidst 
 the lions, he would do likewise. He goeth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 21 1 
 
 toward the gateway, and the lions that were King 
 unchained prick up their ears and look at him. Fisher- 
 Howbeit Lancelot goeth his way between them man 
 without heeding them, and neither of them was 
 fain to do him any hurt. He alighteth before 
 the master-palace, and mounteth upward all 
 armed. Two other knights come to meet him 
 and receive him with right great joy, then they 
 make him be seated on a couch in the midst of 
 the hall and be disarmed of two servants. Two 
 damsels bring him a right rich robe and make 
 him be apparelled therewithal. Lancelot be- 
 holdeth the richness of the hall and seeth nought 
 figured there save images of saints, men or 
 women, and he seeth the hall hung about with 
 cloths of silk in many places. The knights 
 lead him before King Fisherman in a chamber 
 where he lay right richly. He findeth the 
 King, that lieth on a bed so rich and so fair 
 apparelled as never was seen a better, and one 
 damsel was at his head and another at his 
 feet. Lancelot saluteth him right nobly, and the 
 King answereth him full fairly as one that is 
 a right worshipful man. And such a bright- 
 ness of light was there in the chamber as that it 
 seemed the sun were beaming on all sides, and 
 albeit the night was dark, no candles, so far as 
 Lancelot might espy, were lighted therewithin. 
 ' Sir,' saith King Fisherman, ' Can you tell me 
 tidings of my sister's son, that was son of Alain 
 li Gros of the Valleys of Camelot, whom they 
 call Perceval ? ' ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' I saw 
 him not long time sithence in the house of King 
 Hermit, his uncle.' ' Sir,' saith the King,
 
 212 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot ' They tell me he is a right good knight ? ' 
 seeth < Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' He is the best knight of 
 q ? the world. I myself have felt the goodness of his 
 knighthood and his valour, for right sorely did he 
 wound me or ever I knew him or he me.' ' And 
 what is your name ? ' saith the King. ' Sir, I 
 am called Lancelot of the Lake, King Ban's 
 son of Benoic' ' Ha,' saith the King, ' You 
 are nigh of our lineage, you ought to be good 
 knight of right, and so are you as I have heard 
 witness, L ancelot,' saith the King. ' Behold there 
 the chapel where the most Holy Graal taketh 
 his rest, that appeared to two knights that have 
 been herewithin. I know not what was the 
 name of the first, but never saw I any so gentle 
 and quiet, nor had better likelihood to be good 
 knight. It was through him that I have fallen 
 into languishment. The second was Messire 
 Gawain.' ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' The first was 
 Perceval your nephew.' ' Ha ! ' saith King 
 Fisherman, ' Take heed that you speak true ! ' 
 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'I ought to know him 
 well ! ' * Ha, God ! ' saith the King, Where- 
 fore then did I know him not ? Through him 
 have I fallen into this languishment, and had I 
 only known then that it was he, should I now 
 be all whole of my limbs and of my body, and 
 right instantly do I pray you, when you shall see 
 him, that he .come to see me or ever I die, and 
 that he be fain to succour and help his mother, 
 whose men have been slain, and whose land hath 
 been reaved in such sort that never may she have 
 it again save by him alone. And his sister hath 
 gone in quest of him throughout all kingdoms.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 213 
 
 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'This will I tell him Lancelot 
 gladly, if ever I may find him in any place, but departeth 
 it is great adventure of finding him, for oft-times 
 will he change his cognizance in divers fashion 
 and conceal his name in many places.' 
 
 XII 
 
 King Fisherman is right joyous of the tidings 
 he hath heard of his nephew, wherefore he maketh 
 Lancelot be honoured greatly. The knights 
 seat them in the hall at a table of ivory at meat, 
 and the King remaineth in his chamber. When 
 they had washen, the table was dight of rich sets 
 of vessels of gold and silver, and they were served 
 of rich meats of venison of hart and wild boar. 
 But the story witnesseth that the Graal appeared 
 not at this feast. It held not aloof for that 
 Lancelot was not one of the three knights of 
 the world of the most renown and mightiest 
 valour, but for his great sin as touching the 
 Queen, whom he loved without repenting him 
 thereof, for of nought did he think so much as 
 of her, nor never might he remove his heart 
 therefrom. When they had eaten they rose 
 from the tables. Two damsels waited on 
 Lancelot at his going to bed, and he lay on 
 a right rich couch, nor were they willing to 
 depart until such time as he was asleep. He 
 rose on the morrow as soon as he saw the day, 
 and went to hear mass. Then he took leave 
 of King Fisherman and the knights and damsels, 
 and issued forth of the castle between the two 
 lions, and prayeth God that He allow him to 
 see the Queen again betimes, for this is his most 
 
 VOL. I. O
 
 2i 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A knight desire. He rideth until he hath left the castle 
 will not f ar behind and entereth the forest, and is in 
 mari 7 r ight great desire to see Perceval, but the tidings 
 of him were right far away. He looketh before 
 him in the forest and seeth come right amidst 
 the launde a knight, and a damsel clad in the 
 richest robe of gold and silk that ever he had 
 seen tofore. 
 
 XIII 
 
 The damsel came weeping by the side of the 
 knight and prayed him oftentimes that he would 
 have mercy upon her. The knight is still and 
 holdeth his peace, and saith never a word. 
 * Ha, Sir,' saith the damsel to Lancelot, 'Be 
 pleased to beseech this knight on my behalf.' 
 'In what manner?' saith Lancelot. 'Sir,' 
 saith she, ' I will tell you. He hath shown 
 me semblance of love for more than a year, and 
 had me in covenant that he would take me 
 to wife, and I apparelled myself in the richest 
 garments that I had to come to him. But my 
 father is of greater power and riches than is 
 he, and therefore was not willing to allow the 
 marriage. Wherefore come I with him in this 
 manner, for I love him better than ever another 
 knight beside. Now will he do nought of that 
 he had me in covenant to do, for he loveth 
 another, better, methinketh, than me. And 
 this hath he done, as I surmise, to do shame 
 to my friends and to me.' Lancelot seeth 
 the damsel of right great beauty and weeping 
 tenderly, whereof hath he passing great pity. 
 ' Hold, Sir ! ' saith Lancelot to the knight,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 215 
 
 ' This shall you not do ! You shall not do such a damsel 
 shame to so fair a damsel as that you shall fail ^ e hath 
 to keep covenant with her. For not a knight P romise{1 
 is there in the kingdom of L ogres nor in that of 
 Wales but ought to be right well pleased to have 
 so fair a damsel to wife, and I pray and require 
 that you do to the damsel that whereof you 
 held her in covenant. This will be a right 
 worshipful deed, and I pray and beseech that 
 you do it, and thereof shall I be much beholden 
 to you.' * Sir,' saith the knight, * I have no 
 will thereunto, nor for no man will I do it, for 
 ill would it beseem me.' * By my head, then,' 
 saith Lancelot, 'the basest knight are you that 
 ever have I seen, nor ought dame nor damsel 
 ever hereafter put trust in you, sith that you are 
 minded to put such disgrace upon this lady.' 
 ' Sir/ saith the knight, ' A worthier lover have 
 I than this, and one that I more value ; where- 
 fore as touching this damsel will I do nought 
 more than I have said.' 'And whither, then, 
 mean you to take her?' saith Lancelot. 'I 
 mean to take her to a hold of mine own that is 
 in this forest, and to give her in charge to a 
 dwarf of mine that looketh after my house, and 
 I will marry her to some knight or some other 
 man.' ' Now never God help me,' saith 
 Lancelot, 'but this is foul churlishness you 
 tell me, and, so you do not her will, it shall 
 betide you ill of me myself, and, had you been 
 armed as I am, you should have felt my first 
 onset already.' ' Ha,' saith the damsel to 
 Lancelot, ' Be not so ready to do him any hurt, 
 for nought love I so well as I love his body,
 
 216 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot whatsoever he do to me. But for God's sake 
 
 com- p ra y him that he do me the honour he hath 
 
 th irntobt P ron " sec * me ' > 'Willingly,' saith Lancelot. 
 
 * Sir Knight, will you do this whereof you had 
 the damsel in covenant ? ' * Sir,' saith the 
 knight, ' I have told you plainly that I will 
 not.' 'By my head,' saith Lancelot, 'you 
 shall do it, or otherwise sentence of death hath 
 passed upon you, and this not so much for the 
 sake of the damsel only, but for the churlishness 
 that hath taken possession of you, that it be not 
 a reproach to other knights. For promise that 
 knight maketh to dame or damsel behoveth 
 him to keep. And you, as you tell me, are 
 knight, and no knight ought to do churlishly to 
 his knowledge, and this churlishness is so far 
 greater than another, that for no prayer that 
 the damsel may make will I surfer that it shall 
 be done, but that if you do not that whereof 
 you held her in covenant, I shall slay you, for 
 that I will not have this churlishness made a 
 reproach to other knights.' He draweth his 
 sword and would have come toward him, when 
 the knight cometh over against him and saith to 
 him : ' Slay me not. Tell me rather what you 
 would have me do ? ' 'I would,' saith he, 
 
 * that you take the damsel to wife without denial.' 
 ' Sir,' saith he, ' It pleaseth me better to take 
 her than to die. Sir, I will do your will.' 
 ' I thank you much therefor,' saith Lancelot. 
 ' Damsel, is this your pleasure also ? ' ' Yea, 
 Sir, but, so please you, take not your departure 
 from us until such time as he shall have done 
 that which you tell him.' ' I will well that so
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 217 
 
 it be,' saith Lancelot, ' for love of you.' They to marry 
 ride together right through the forest, until they * n e 
 came to a chapel at a hermitage, and the hermit amse 
 wedded them and made much joy thereof. 
 When it cometh to after-mass, Lancelot would 
 fain depart, but the damsel prayeth him right 
 sweetly that he should come right to her 
 father's house to witness that the knight had 
 wedded her. 
 
 XIV 
 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' My father's hold is not far 
 away.' 'Lady,' saith Lancelot, 'Willingly 
 will I go sith that you beseech me thereof.' 
 They ride so long right amidst the forest, that 
 presently they come to the castle of the Vava- 
 sour, that was sitting on the bridge of his castle, 
 right sorrowful and troubled because of his 
 daughter. Lancelot is gone on before and 
 alighteth. The Vavasour riseth up to meet 
 him, and Lancelot recounteth to him how his 
 daughter hath been wedded, and that he hath 
 been at the wedding. Thereof the Vavasour 
 maketh right great joy. Therewithal, behold 
 you, the knight and the Vavasour's daughter 
 that are straightway alighted, and the Vavasour 
 thanketh Lancelot much of the honour he hath 
 done his daughter. Therewith he departeth 
 from the castle and rideth amidst the forest the 
 day long, and meeteth a damsel and a dwarf 
 that came a great gallop. ' Sir,' saith the 
 damsel to Lancelot, ' From whence come you ? ' 
 ' Damsel,' saith he, ' I come from the Vava- 
 sour's castle that is in this forest.' ' Did you 
 meet,' saith she, ' a knight and a damsel on
 
 218 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The your way? ' 'Yea/ saith Lancelot, 'He hath 
 other W edded her.' ' Say you true ? ' saith she. 
 damsel j te jj y OU truCj sa - lt ^ Lancelot, But had I not 
 been there, he would not have wedded her.' 
 ' Shame and ill adventure may you have thereof, 
 for you have reft me of the thing in the world 
 that most I loved. And know you well of a 
 truth that joy of him shall she never have, and 
 if the knight had been armed as are you, never 
 would he have done your will, but his own. 
 And this is not the first harm you have done 
 me ; you and Messire Gawain between you 
 have slain my uncle and my two cousins-german 
 in the forest, whom behoved me bury in the 
 chapel where you were, there where my dwarf 
 that you see here was making the graves in the 
 burial-ground.' 'Damsel,' saith Lancelot, 'True 
 it is that I was there, but I departed from the 
 grave-yard, honour safe.' ' True,' saith the 
 dwarf, ' For the knights that were there were 
 craven, and failed.' 'Fair friend,' saith Lancelot, 
 ' Rather would I they should be coward toward 
 me than hardy.' ' Lancelot,' saith the damsel, 
 ' Much outrage have you done, for you slew the 
 Knight of the Waste House, there whither the 
 brachet led Messire Gawain, but had he there 
 been known, he would not have departed so 
 soon, for he was scarce better loved than you, 
 and God grant you may find a knight that may 
 abate the outrages that are in your heart and in 
 his ; for great rejoicing would there be thereof, 
 for many a good knight have you slain, and 
 I myself will bring about trouble for you, so 
 quickly as I may.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 219 
 
 xv Lancelot 
 
 Thereupon the dwarf smiteth the mule with cometh 
 his whip, and she departeth. Lancelot would 
 answer none of her reviling, wherefore he 
 departed forthwith, and rideth so long on his 
 journeys that he is come back to the house of 
 the good King Hermit, that maketh right great 
 joy of him. And he telleth him that he hath 
 been to the house of King Fisherman, his 
 brother that lieth in languishment, and telleth 
 him also how he hath been honoured in his 
 hostel, and of the salutations that he sent him. 
 King Hermit is right joyous thereof, and asketh 
 him of his nephew, and he telleth him he hath 
 seen him not since he departed thence. King 
 Hermit asketh him whether he hath seen the 
 Graal, and he telleth him he hath seen it not at 
 all. * I know well,' saith the King, ' wherefore 
 this was so. And you had had the like desire 
 to see the Graal that you have to see the Queen, 
 the Graal would you have seen.' * Sir,' saith 
 Lancelot, ' The Queen do I desire to see for the 
 sake of her good intent, her wisdom, courtesy and 
 worth, and so ought every knight to do. For in 
 herself hath she all honourable conditions that 
 a lady may have.' * God grant you good issue 
 therein,' saith King Hermit, ' and that you do 
 nought whereof He may visit you with His wrath 
 at the Day of Judgment.' Lancelot lay the night 
 in the hermitage, and on the morrow departed 
 thence and took leave when he had heard mass, 
 and cometh back as straight as he may to Panne- 
 noisance on the sea of Wales, where were the King 
 and Queen with great plenty of knights and barons.
 
 BRANCH XI 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Again of '"T^HIS High History witnesseth whereof 
 Perceval A this account cometh, and saith that 
 Perceval is in the kingdom of Logres, and came 
 great pace toward the land of the Queen of the 
 Tents to release the Damsel of the Car, that he 
 had left in hostage on account of Clamados, that 
 had put upon him the treason whereof behoved 
 him to defend himself. But, or ever he 
 entered into the land of the Queen of the 
 Tents, he met the Damsel of the Car that was 
 coming thence. She made right great joy of 
 him, and told him that Clamados was dead of 
 the wound that Meliot of Logres had dealt 
 him, and that Meliot of Logres was heal. 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' The tents and the awnings are 
 taken down, and the Queen hath withdrawn 
 herself to the castle with her maidens, and by 
 my coming back from thence may you well 
 know that you are altogether quit. Wherefore 
 I tell you that your sister goeth in quest of you, 
 and that never had your mother so sore need of 
 help as now she hath, nor never again shall 
 your sister have joy at heart until such time as 
 she shall have found you. She goeth seeking for 
 you by all the kingdoms and strange countries in 
 sore mis-ease, nor may she find any to tell her 
 220
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 221 
 
 tidings of you.' Therewith Perceval departeth The 
 from the Damsel, without saying more, and ^ a ^ e ^ 
 rideth until he cometh into the kingdom of a a * es 
 Wales to a castle that is seated above the sea 
 upon a high rock, and it was called the Castle 
 of Tallages. He seeth a knight issue from the 
 castle and asketh whose hold it is, and he 
 telleth him that it belonged to the Queen of 
 the Maidens. He entereth into the first baily 
 of the castle, and alighteth at the mounting- 
 stage and setteth down his shield and his spear, 
 and looketh toward the steps whereby one 
 goeth up to the higher hall, and seeth upon 
 them row upon row of knights and damsels. 
 He cometh thitherward, but never a knight 
 nor dame was there that gave him greeting of 
 any kind. So he saluted them at large. He 
 went his way right amidst them toward the 
 door of the great hall, which he findeth shut, 
 and rattled the ring so loud that it made the 
 whole hall resound thereof. A knight cometh 
 to open it and he entereth in. ' Sir Knight, 
 welcome may you be ! ' ' Good adventure 
 may you have ! ' saith Perceval. He lowereth 
 his ventail and taketh off his helm. The 
 knight leadeth him to the Queen's chamber, 
 and she riseth to meet him, and maketh great 
 joy of him, and maketh him sit beside her all 
 armed. 
 
 II 
 
 With that, cometh a damsel and kneeleth 
 before the Queen and saith : ' Lady, behold 
 here the knight that was first at the Graal. I
 
 222 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A penance saw him in the court of the Queen of the 
 ended Tents, there where he was appeached of treason 
 and murder.' * Now haste,' saith the Queen 
 to the knight, ' Let sound the ivory horn upon 
 the castle.' The knights and damsels that 
 were sitting on the steps leapt up, and make 
 right great joy, and the other knights likewise. 
 They say that now they know well that they 
 have done their penance. Thereupon they 
 enter into the hall, and the Lady issueth from 
 her chamber and taketh Perceval by the hand 
 and goeth to meet them. Behold here,' saith 
 she, 'the knight through whom you have had 
 the pain and travail, and by whom you are 
 now released therefrom ! ' ' Ha,' say the 
 knights and dames, ' Welcome may he be ! ' 
 * By my head,' saith the Queen, ' so is he, 
 for he is the knight of the world that I had 
 most desire to see.' She maketh disarm him, 
 and bring the rich robe of cloth of silk to 
 apparel him. ' Sir,' saith the Queen, ' Four 
 knights and three damsels have been under the 
 steps at the entrance of the hall ever since 
 such time as you were at the hostel of King 
 Fisherman, there where you forgot to ask 
 whereof the Graal might serve, nor never 
 since have they had none other house nor 
 hold wherein to eat nor to drink nor to lie, 
 nor never since have they had no heart to make 
 joy, nor would not now and you had not come 
 hither. Wherefore ought you not to marvel 
 that they make joy of your coming. Howbeit, 
 on the other hand, sore need have we in this 
 castle of your coming, for a knight warreth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 223 
 
 upon me that is brother of King Fisherman, The 
 
 and his name is the King of Castle Mortal.' Queen 
 
 'Lady,' saith he, 'He is my uncle, albeit I Maidens 
 
 knew it not of a long time, nor of the good 
 
 King Fisherman either, and the good King 
 
 Hermit is my uncle also. But I tell you of a 
 
 very truth, the King of Castle Mortal is the 
 
 most fell and cruel that liveth, wherefore ought 
 
 none to love him for the felony that is in him, 
 
 for he hath begun to war upon King Fisherman 
 
 my uncle, and challengeth him his castle, and 
 
 would fain have the Lance and the Graal.' 
 
 ' Sir,' saith the Queen,"' In like sort challengeth 
 
 he my castle of me for that I am in aid of 
 
 King Fisherman, and every week cometh he 
 
 to an island that is in this sea, and oft-times 
 
 cometh plundering before this castle and hath 
 
 slain many of my knights and damsels, whereof 
 
 God grant us vengeance upon him.' She taketh 
 
 Perceval by the hand and leadeth him to the 
 
 windows of the hall that were nighest the sea. 
 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' Now may you see the island, 
 
 there, whereunto your uncle cometh in a galley, 
 
 and in this island sojourneth he until he hath 
 
 seen where to aim his blow and laid his plans. 
 
 And here below, see, are my gallies that 
 
 defend us thereof.' 
 
 ill 
 
 Perceval, as the history telleth, was much 
 honoured at the castle of the Queen of the 
 Maidens, that was right passing fair. The 
 Queen loved him of a passing great love, but 
 well she knew that she should never have her
 
 224 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval desire, nor any dame nor damsel that might set 
 fighteth h er j ntent thereon, for chaste was he and in 
 chastity was fain to die. So long was he at 
 the castle as that he heard tell his uncle was 
 arrived at the island whither he wont to come. 
 Perceval maketh arm him forthwith and entereth 
 into a galley below the hall, and maketh him 
 be rowed toward his uncle, that much marvelleth 
 when he seeth him coming, for never aforetime 
 durst no knight issue out alone from this castle 
 to meet him, nor to come there where he was, 
 body to body. But had he known that it was 
 Perceval, he would not have marvelled. There- 
 upon the galley taketh the ground and Percival 
 is issued forth. The Queen and the knights 
 and her maidens are come to the windows of 
 the castle to behold the bearing of the nephew 
 and the uncle. The Queen would have sent 
 over some of her knights with him, but Perceval 
 would not. The King of Castle Mortal was 
 tall and strong and hardy. He seeth his 
 nephew come all armed, but knoweth him not. 
 But Perceval knew him well, and kept his 
 sword drawn and his shield on his arm, and 
 sought out his uncle with right passing wrathful- 
 ness, and dealeth him a heavy buffet above upon 
 his helm that he maketh him stoop withal. 
 Howbeit, the King spareth him not, but 
 6miteth him so passing stoutly that he had 
 his helm all dinted in thereby. But Perceval 
 attacketh him again, thinking to strike him 
 above on the head, but the King swerveth 
 aside and the blow falleth on the shield and 
 cleaveth it right down as far as the boss. The
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 225 
 
 King of Castle Mortal draweth him backward the 
 and hath great shame within himself for that J? n ? * 
 Perceval should thus fettle him, for he searcheth Mortal 
 him with his sword in every part, and dealeth 
 him great buffets in such sort that, and his 
 habergeon had not been so strong and tough, 
 he would have wounded him in many places. 
 
 IV 
 
 The King himself giveth him blows so 
 heavy that the Queen and all they that were 
 at the windows marvelled how Perceval might 
 abide such buffets. The King took witting of 
 the shield that Perceval bare, and looketh on it 
 of a long space. * Knight,' saith he, ' Who 
 gave you this shield, and on behalf of whom do 
 you bear such an one ? ' 'I bear it on behalf 
 of my father,' saith he. ' Did your father, 
 then, bear a red shield with a white hart ? ' 
 'Yea!' saith Percival, ' Many a day.' 'Was 
 your father, then, King Alain of the Valleys 
 of Camelot ? ' ' My father was he without 
 fail. No blame ought I to have of him, for 
 a good knight was he and a loyal.' ' Are you 
 the son of Yglais my sister, that was his wife ? ' 
 ' Yea ! ' saith Perceval. ' Then are you my 
 nephew,' saith the King of Castle Mortal, ' For 
 she was my sister.' ' That misliketh me,' 
 saith Perceval, ' For thereof have I neither 
 worship nor honour, for the most disloyal are 
 you of all my kindred, and I knew well when 
 I came hither that it was you, and, for the 
 great disloyalty that is in you, you war upon the 
 best King that liveth and the most worshipful
 
 226 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The man, and upon the Lady of this castle for that 
 K m S she aideth him in all that she may. But, 
 please God, henceforward she shall have no 
 need to guard her to the best of her power 
 against so evil a man as are you, nor shall her 
 castle never be obedient to you, nor the sacred 
 hallows that the Good King hath in his keeping. 
 For God loveth not you so much as He doth 
 him, and so long as you war upon him, you do 
 I defy and hold you as mine enemy.' The king 
 wotteth well that his nephew holdeth him not 
 over dear, and that he is eager to do him a 
 hurt, and that he holdeth his sword in his fist 
 and that he is well roofed-in of his helmet, and 
 that he is raging like a lion. He misdoubteth 
 him sore of his strength and his great hardi- 
 ment. He hath well proven and essayed that 
 he is the Best Knight of the world. He durst 
 no longer abide his blows, but rather he turneth 
 him full speed toward his galley, and leapeth 
 thereinto forthwith. He pusheth out from the 
 shore incontinent, and Perceval followeth him 
 right to the beach, full heavy that he hath 
 gotten him away. Then he crieth after him : 
 * Evil King, tell me not that I am of your 
 kindred ! Never yet did knight of my mother's 
 lineage flee from another knight, save you alone ! 
 Now have I conquered this island, and never 
 on no day hereafter be you so over-hardy as be 
 seen therein again ! ' The King goeth his 
 way as he that hath no mind to return, and 
 Perceval cometh back again in his galley to the 
 Queen's castle, and all they of the palace come 
 forth to meet him with great joy. The Queen
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 227 
 
 asketh him how it is with him and whether he Perceval 
 is wounded ? ' Lady,' saith he, Not at all, returneth 
 thank God.' She maketh disarm him, and 
 honoureth him at her pleasure, and commandeth 
 that all be obedient to him, and do his com- 
 mandment so long as he shall please to be there. 
 Now feel they safer in the castle for that the 
 king hath so meanly departed thence, and it 
 well seemeth them that never will he dare 
 come back for dread of his nephew more than 
 of any other, whereof make they much joy 
 in common.
 
 BRANCH XII 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Lohot ^JOW is the story silent about Perceval; 
 Arthur's 1^1 and saith that King Arthur is at 
 son Pannenoisance in Wales, with great plenty of 
 knights. Lancelot and Messire Gawain are 
 repaired thither, whereof all the folk make 
 great joy. The King asketh of Messire 
 Gawain and Lancelot whether they have seen 
 Lohot his son in none of these islands nor in 
 none of these forests, and they answer him that 
 they have seen him nowhere. ' I marvel much,' 
 saith the King, ' what hath become of him, for 
 no tidings have I heard of him beyond these, 
 that Kay the Seneschal slew Logrin the giant, 
 whose head he brought me, whereof I made 
 great joy, and right willingly did I make Kay's 
 lands the broader thereof, and well ought I to 
 do him such favour, for he avenged me of him 
 that did my land more hurt than any other, 
 wherefore I love him greatly.' But, and the 
 King had only known how Kay had wrought 
 against him, he would not have so highly 
 honoured his chivalry and his hardiment. 
 The King sate one day at meat and Queen 
 Guenievre at his side. Thereupon, behold 
 you, a damsel that alighteth before the palace, 
 then mounteth the steps of the hall and is
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 229 
 
 come before the King and the Queen. Sir, Of 
 I salute you as the sorest dismayed and most Perce- 
 discounselled damsel that ever you have seen! va t f_ 
 Wherefore am I come to demand a boon of 
 you for the nobleness and valour of your heart.' 
 
 * Damsel,' saith the King, ' God counsel you 
 of His will and pleasure, and I myself am full 
 fain to partake therein.' The damsel looketh 
 at the shield that hangeth in the midst of the 
 hall. ' Sir,' saith she, * I beseech you that you 
 deign grant me the aid of the knight that shall 
 bear this shield from hence. For sorer need 
 have I thereof than ever another of them that 
 are discounselled.' ' Damsel,' saith the King, 
 ' Full well shall I be pleased, so the knight be 
 also fain to do as you say.' 'Sir,' saith she, 
 
 * And he be so good knight as he is reported, 
 never will he refuse your prayer, nor would he 
 mine, if only I were here at such time as he 
 shall come. For, had I been able to find my 
 brother that I have been seeking this long time, 
 then well should I have been succoured long 
 agone ! But I have sought him in many lands, 
 nor never could I learn where he is. There- 
 fore, to my sorrow, behoveth me to ride all 
 lonely by the strange islands and put my body 
 in jeopardy of death, whereof ought these 
 knights to have great pity.' 
 
 II 
 
 ' Damsel,' saith the King, ' For this reason 
 do I refuse you nought of that you wish, and 
 right willingly will I put myself to trouble 
 herein.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' Much thanks to
 
 2 3 o THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The God thereof! ' He maketh her be set at 
 brachet meat, and much honour be done her. When 
 knoweth ^ c \ ot ^ s were drawn, the Queen leadeth her 
 into her chamber with the maidens, and maketh 
 much joy of her. The brachet that was 
 brought thither with the shield was lying on 
 a couch of straw. He would not know the 
 Queen nor her damsels nor the knights that 
 were in the court, but so soon as ever he heard 
 the damsel he cometh to her and maketh 
 greater joy of her than ever was brachet seen 
 to make before. The Queen and her damsels 
 marvelled much thereof, as did the damsel 
 herself to whom the brachet made such joy, for 
 never since that he was brought into the hall 
 had they seen him rejoice of any. The Queen 
 asked her whether she knew him. * Certes, 
 Lady, no, for never, so far as I know, have 
 I seen him before.' The brachet will not 
 leave her, but will be always on her lap, nor 
 can she move anywhither but he followeth her. 
 The damsel is long time in the court in this 
 manner, albeit as she that had sore need of 
 succour she remained in the chapel every day 
 after that the Queen was come forth, and wept 
 right tenderly before the image of the Saviour, 
 and prayed right sweetly that His Mother would 
 counsel her, for that she had been left in sore 
 peril of losing her castle. The Queen asked 
 her one day who her brother was. ' Lady,' 
 saith she, 'one of the best knights of the world, 
 whereof have I heard witness. But he de- 
 parted from my father's and mother's hostel a 
 right young squire. My father is since dead,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 231 
 
 and my Lady mother is left without help and Dindrane 
 
 without counsel, wherefore hath a certain man her story 
 
 reaved her of her land and her castles and slain 
 
 her men. The very castle wherein she hath 
 
 her hold wouid he have seized long agone had 
 
 it not been for Messire Gawain that made it be 
 
 safe-guarded against her enemies for a year. 
 
 The term is now ended, and my Lady mother is 
 
 in dread lest she shall lose her castle, for none 
 
 other hold hath she. Wherefore is it that she 
 
 hath sent me to seek for my brother, for she 
 
 hath been told that he is a good knight, and for 
 
 that I may not find him am I come to this 
 
 court to beseech of King Arthur succour of the 
 
 knight that shall bear away the shield, for I 
 
 have heard tell that he is the Best Knight of 
 
 the world ; and, for the bounty that is in him 
 
 will he therefore have pity on me.' * Damsel,' 
 
 saith the Queen, 'Would that you had found 
 
 him, for great joy would it be to me that your 
 
 mother were succoured, and God grant that 
 
 he that ought to bear the shield come quickly, 
 
 and grant him courage that he be fain to 
 
 succour your mother.' ' So shall he be, please 
 
 God, for never was good knight that was 
 
 without pity.' 
 
 ill 
 
 The Queen hath much pity of the damsel, 
 for she was of right great beauty, and well 
 might it be seen by her cheer and her 
 semblant that no joy had she. She had told 
 the Queen her name and the name of her father 
 and mother, and the Queen told her that many
 
 232 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A a time had she heard tell of Alain li Gros, and 
 wondrous that he was said to be a worshipful man and 
 ship good knight. The King lay one night beside 
 the Queen, and was awoke from his first sleep 
 so that he might not go to sleep again. He 
 rose and did on a great grey cape and issueth 
 forth of the chamber and cometh to the windows 
 of the hall that opened toward the sea, calm and 
 untroubled, so that much pleasure had he of 
 looking thereat and leaning at the windows. 
 When he had been there of a long space, he 
 looked out to sea and saw coming afar off as it 
 were the shining of a candle in the midst of 
 the sea. Much he marvelled what it might be. 
 He looked at it until he espied what seemed 
 him to be a ship wherein was the light, and he 
 was minded not to move until such time as he 
 should know whether a ship it were or some- 
 thing other. The longer he looketh at it, the 
 better perceiveth he that it is a ship, and that it 
 was coming with great rushing toward the castle 
 as fast as it might. The King espieth it nigh 
 at hand, but none seeth he within nor without 
 save one old man, ancient and bald, of right 
 passing seemliness that held the rudder of the 
 ship. The ship was covered of a right rich 
 cloth in the midst and the sail was lowered, for 
 the sea was calm and quiet. The ship was 
 arrived under the palace and was quite still. 
 When the ship had taken ground, the King 
 looketh thereat with much marvelling, and 
 knoweth not who is there within, for not a soul 
 heareth he speak. Him thinketh that he will 
 go see what is within the ship, and he issueth
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 233 
 
 forth of the hall, and cometh thither where the Arthur 
 ship was arrived, but he might not come anigh seeth it 
 for the flowing of the sea. ' Sir,' saith he that 
 held the rudder, ' Allow me a little ! ' He 
 laun'.heth forth of the ship a little boat, and 
 the King entereth thereinto, and so cometh into 
 the great ship, and findeth a knight that lay all 
 armed upon a table of ivory, and had set his 
 shield at his head. At the head of his bed had 
 he two tall twisted links of wax in two candle- 
 sticks of gold, and the like at his feet, and his 
 hands were crossed upon his breast. The King 
 draweth nigh toward him and so looketh at 
 him, and seemed him that never had he seen 
 so comely a knight. 
 
 IV 
 
 * Sir,' saith the master of the ship, ' For God's 
 sake draw you back and let the knight rest, for 
 thereof hath he sore need.' ' Sir,' saith the 
 King, ' Who is the knight ? ' ' Sir, this would 
 he well tell you were he willing, but of me may 
 you know it not.' 'Will he depart forthwith 
 from hence ? ' saith the King. ' Sir,' saith the 
 master, 'Not before he hath been in this hall, 
 but he hath had sore travail and therefore he 
 taketh rest.' When the King heard say that 
 he would come into his palace, thereof had 
 he great joy. He cometh to the Queen's 
 chamber and telleth her how the ship is arrived. 
 The Queen riseth and two of her damsels with 
 her, and apparelleth her of a kirtle of cloth of 
 silk, furred of ermine, and cometh into the 
 midst of the hall. Thereupon behold you, the
 
 a34 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval knight that cometh all armed and the master of 
 landeth the ship before him bearing the twisted link of 
 wax in the candlestick of gold in front of him, and 
 the knight held his sword all naked. ' Sir,' 
 saith the Queen, ' Well may you be welcome ! ' 
 * Lady,' saith he, ' God grant you joy and good 
 adventure.' ' Sir,' saith she, ' Please God we 
 have nought to fear of you?' 'Lady,' saith 
 he, ' No fear ought you to have ! ' The King 
 seeth that he beareth the red shield with the 
 white hart whereof he had heard tell. The 
 brachet that was in the hall heareth the knight. 
 He cometh racing toward him and leapeth 
 about his legs and maketh great joy of him. 
 And the knight playeth with him, then taketh 
 the shield that hung at the column, and hangeth 
 the other there, and cometh back thereafter 
 toward the door of the hall. ' Lady,' saith 
 the King, ' Pray the knight that he go not so 
 hastily.' ' Sir,' saith the knight, ' No leisure 
 have I to abide, but at some time shall you see 
 me again.' The knights also say as much, and 
 the King and Queen are right heavy of his 
 departure, but they durst not press him beyond 
 his will. He is entered into the ship, and the 
 brachet with him. The master draweth the 
 boat within, and so they depart and leave the 
 castle behind. King Arthur abideth at Panne- 
 noisance, and is right sorrowful of the knight, 
 that he hath gone his way so soon. The 
 knights arose throughout the castle when the 
 day waxed light, and learnt the tidings of the 
 knight that had borne the shield thence, and 
 were right grieved for that they had not seen
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 235 
 
 him. The damsel that had asked the boon and 
 cometh to the King. * Sir,' saith she, ' Did you taketh 
 speak of my business to the knight ? ' ' Damsel,' snield 
 saith the King, ' Never a whit ! to my sorrow, 
 for he hath departed sooner than I would ! ' 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' You have done a wrong and a 
 sin, but, please God, so good a King as are you 
 shall not fail of his covenants to damsel so 
 forlorn as am I.' The King was right sorrow- 
 ful for that he had remembered not the damsel. 
 She departeth from the court, and taketh leave 
 of the King and Queen, and saith that she her- 
 self will go seek the knight, and that, so she 
 may find him, she will hold the King quit of 
 his covenant. Messire Gawain and Lancelot 
 are returned to the court, and have heard the 
 tidings of the knight that hath carried away the 
 shield, and are right grieved that they have 
 not seen him, and Messire Gawain more than 
 enough, for that he had lien in his mother's 
 house. Lancelot seeth the shield that he had 
 left on the column, and knoweth it well, and 
 saith, ' Now know I well that Perceval hath 
 been here, for this shield was he wont to bear, 
 and the like also his father bore.' < Ha,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' What ill-chance have I that 
 I may not see the Good Knight ! ' ' Messire 
 Gawain,' saith Lancelot, 'So nigh did I see 
 him that methought he would have killed me, 
 for never before did I essay onset so stout nor 
 so cruel of force of arms, and I myself wounded 
 him, and when he knew me he made right 
 great joy of me. And I was with him at the 
 house of King Hermit a long space until that I
 
 236 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Arthur was healed.' ' Lancelot,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 
 for- < I would that he had wounded me, so I were 
 
 gettetn t t gore harmed thereof, so that I might 
 
 Dindrane , , , , i , 
 
 have been with him so long time as were you. 
 
 'Lords,' saith the King, ' Behoveth you go on 
 quest of him or I will go, for I am bound to 
 beseech his aid on behalf of a damsel that asked 
 me thereof, but she told me that, so she might 
 find him first, I should be quit of her request.' 
 * Sir,' saith the Queen, ' You will do a right 
 great service and you may counsel her herein, 
 for sore discounselled is she. She hath told 
 me that she was daughter of Alain li Gros of 
 the Valleys of Camelot, and that her mother's 
 name is Yglais, and her own Dindrane. * Ha, 
 Lady,' saith Messire Gawain, ' She is sister to 
 the knight that hath borne away the shield, for 
 I lay at her mother's house where I was right 
 well lodged.' * By my head,' saith the Queen, 
 'it may well be, for so soon as she came in hither, 
 the brachet that would have acquaintance with 
 none, made her great joy, and when the knight 
 came to seek the shield, the brachet, that had 
 remained in the hall, played gladly with him 
 and went away with him.' ' By my faith,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' I will go in quest of 
 the knight, for right great desire have I to see 
 him.' 'And I,' saith Lancelot, 'Never so 
 glad have I been to see him aforetime as I 
 should be now.' ' Howsoever it be,' saith 
 the King, ' I pray you so speed my business 
 that the damsel shall not be able to plain her 
 of me.'
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 237 
 
 Lancelot 
 v and 
 
 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'We will tell him and G *wain 
 we may find him, that his sister is gone in quest 
 of him, and that she hath been at your court.' 
 The two knights depart from the court to enter 
 on the quest of the Good Knight, and leave 
 the castle far behind them and ride in the midst 
 of a high forest until they find a cross in the 
 midst of a launde, there where all the roads 
 of the forest join together. ' Lancelot,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, ' Choose which road soever 
 you will, and so let each go by himself, so that 
 we may the sooner hear tidings of the Good 
 Knight, and let us meet together again at this 
 cross at the end of a year and let either tell 
 other how he hath sped, for please God in one 
 place or another we shall hear tidings of him.' 
 Lancelot taketh the way to the right, and 
 Messire Gawain to the left. Therewithal 
 they depart and commend them one another 
 to God.
 
 BRANCH XIII 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Of TTERE the story is silent of Lancelot, and 
 Messire J. saith that Messire Gawain goeth a great 
 awain p ace ,-jjjjjg^ anc j p ra y e th God that He will so 
 counsel him that he may find the knight. He 
 rideth until the day cometh to decline, and he lay 
 in the house of a hermit in the forest, that lodged 
 him well. ' Sir,' saith the hermit to Messire 
 Gawain, 'Whom do you go seek ? ' ' Sir,' saith 
 he, * I am in quest of a knight that I would see 
 right gladly.' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' In this 
 neighbourhood will you find no knight.' ' Where- 
 fore not ? ' saith Messire Gawain, ' Be there no 
 knights in this country ? ' ' There was wont to 
 be plenty,' saith the hermit, ' But now no longer 
 are there any, save one all alone in a castle and 
 one all alone on the sea that have chased away and 
 slain all the others.' ' And who is the one of 
 the sea ? ' saith Messire Gawain. * Sir,' saith the 
 hermit, 'I know not who he is, save only that 
 the sea is hard by here, where the ship runneth 
 oftentimes wherein the knight is, and he repair- 
 eth to an island that is under the castle of the 
 Queen of the Maidens, from whence he chased 
 an uncle of his that warred upon the castle, and 
 the other knights that he hath chased thence 
 and slain were helping his uncle, so that now 
 the castle is made sure. And the knights that
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 239 
 
 might flee from this forest and this kingdom Perceval 
 
 durst not repair thither for the knight, for they haunteth 
 
 dread his hardiment and his great might, sith sea 
 
 that they know well they might not long endure 
 
 against him.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Is 
 
 it so long a space sithence that he hath haunted 
 
 the sea ? ' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' It is scarce 
 
 more than a twelvemonth.' ' And how nigh is 
 
 this to the sea ? ' saith Messire Gawain. ' Sir,' 
 
 saith the hermit, ' It is not more than two 
 
 leagues Welsh. When I have gone forth to 
 
 my toil, many a time have I seen the ship run 
 
 close by me, and the knight, all armed, within, 
 
 and meseemed he was of right great comeliness, 
 
 and had as passing proud a look as any lion. 
 
 But I can well tell you never was knight so 
 
 dreaded in this kingdom as is he. The Queen 
 
 of the Maidens would have lost her castle ere 
 
 now but for him. Nor never sithence that he 
 
 had chased his uncle from the island, hath he 
 
 entered the Queen's castle even once, but from 
 
 that time forth hath rather rowed about the sea 
 
 and searched all the islands and stricken down 
 
 all the proud in such sort that he is dreaded and 
 
 warily avoided throughout all the kingdoms. 
 
 The Queen of the Maidens is right sorrowful 
 
 for that he cometh not to her castle, for so 
 
 dear she holdeth him of very love, that and he 
 
 should come and she might keep him so that he 
 
 should never issue forth again, she would sooner 
 
 lock him up with her there safe within.' 
 
 ' Know you,' saith Messire Gawain, ' what 
 
 shield the knight beareth ? ' ' Sir,' saith the 
 
 hermit, 'I know not how to blazon it, for
 
 2 4 o THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The nought know I of arms. Three score years 
 Queen a nd m ore have I been in this hermitage, yet 
 of the never saw x this kingdom before so dismayed 
 as is it now.' Messire Gawain lay the night 
 therewithin, and departed when he had heard 
 mass. He draweth him as nigh the sea as he 
 may, and rideth all along beside the shore and 
 many a time draweth rein to look forth if he 
 might see the knight's ship. But nowhere 
 might he espy it. He hath ridden until he 
 cometh to the castle of the Queen of the 
 Maidens. When she knew that it was Messire 
 Gawain, she made thereof great joy, and 
 pointed him out the island whither Perceval 
 had repaired, and from whence he had driven 
 his uncle. ' Sir,' saith she to Messire Gawain, 
 ' I plain me much of him, for never hath he 
 been fain to enter herewithin, save the one time 
 that he did battle with his uncle, but ever 
 sithence hath he made repair to this island and 
 rowed about this sea.' 'Lady,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' and whereabout may he be now ? ' 
 * Sir, God help me,' saith she, ' I know not, 
 for I have not seen him now of a long space, 
 and no earthly man may know his intent nor 
 his desire, nor whitherward he may turn.' 
 Messire Gawain is right sorrowful for that he 
 knoweth not where to seek him albeit he hath 
 so late tidings of him. He lay at the castle 
 and was greatly honoured, and on the morrow 
 he heard mass and took leave of the Queen, 
 and rideth all armed beside the seashore, for 
 that the hermit had told him, and the Queen 
 herself, that he goeth oftener by sea than by
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 241 
 
 land. He entereth into a forest that was nigh The 
 the sea, and seeth a knight coming a great Knight 
 gallop as if one were chasing him to slay him. '- owara 
 ' Sir knight,' saith Messire Gawain, * Whither 
 away so fast ? ' ' Sir, I am fleeing from the 
 knight that hath slain all the others.' 'And 
 who is the knight ? ' saith Messire Gawain. 
 ' I know not who he is,' saith the knight, ' But 
 and you go forward you are sure to find him.' 
 Meseemeth,' saith Messire Gawain, ' that I 
 have seen you aforetime.' ' Sir,' saith he, ' So 
 have you ! I am the Knight Coward that you 
 met in the forest there where you conquered 
 the knight of the shield party black and white, 
 and I am man of the Damsel of the Car. 
 Wherefore I pray you for God's sake that you 
 do me no hurt, for the knight that I found 
 down yonder hath a look so fierce that I thought 
 I was dead when I saw it.' ' Need you fear 
 nought of me,' saith Messire Gawain, ' For I 
 love your Damsel well.' ' Sir,' saith the 
 knight, 'I would that all the other knights 
 would say as much in respect of me, for no fear 
 have I save for myself alone.' 
 
 II 
 
 Messire Gawain departeth from the knight, 
 and goeth his way amidst the forest that over- 
 shadowed the land as far as the seashore, and 
 looketh forth from the top of a sand-hill, and 
 seeth a knight armed on a tall destrier, and he 
 had a shield of gold with a green cross. ' Ha, 
 God,' saith Messire Gawain, Grant thai this 
 knight may be able to tell me tidings of him
 
 242 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain I seek ! ' Thitherward goeth he a great gallop, 
 meeteth an( j saluteth him worshipfully and he him again. 
 rerceval gj r ^> 6a [(h Messire Gawain, ' Can you tell me 
 tidings of a knight that beareth a shield banded 
 of argent and azure with a red cross ? ' ' Yea, 
 Sir,' saith the knight, ' That can I well. At 
 the assembly of the knights may you find him 
 within forty days.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 ' Where will the assembly be ? ' * In the Red 
 Launde, where will be many a good knight. 
 There shall you find him without fail.' Thereof 
 hath Messire Gawain right great joy, and so 
 departeth from the knight and the knight from 
 him, and goeth back toward the sea a great 
 gallop. But Messire Gawain saw not the ship 
 whereinto he entered, for that it was anchored 
 underneath the rock. The knight entered 
 thereinto and put out to sea as he had wont 
 to do. Howbeit Messire Gawain goeth his 
 way toward the Red Launde where the 
 assembly was to be, and desireth much the 
 day that it shall be. He rideth until he 
 cometh one eventide nigh to a castle that was 
 of right fair seeming. He met a damsel that 
 was following after a dead knight that two 
 other knights bare upon a horse-bier, and she 
 rode a great pace right amidst the forest. And 
 Messire Gawain cometh to meet her and saluteth 
 her, and she returned the salute as fairly as she 
 might. 'Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Who 
 lieth in this bier ? ' ' Sir, a knight that a 
 certain man hath slain by great outrage.' 'And 
 whither shall you ride this day ? ' ' Sir, I 
 would fain be in the Red Launde, and thither
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 243 
 
 will I take this knight, that was a right worship- The 
 ful man for his age.' * And wherefore will treacher- 
 you take him there ? ' saith Messire Gawain. yL vaS0U r 
 * For that he that shall do best at the assembly 
 of knights shall avenge this knight's death.' 
 
 ill 
 
 The damsel goeth her way thereupon. And 
 Messire Gawain goeth to the castle that he had 
 seen, and found none within save only one 
 solitary knight, old and feeble, and a squire 
 that waited upon him. Howbeit, Messire 
 Gawain alighteth at the castle. The Vavasour 
 lodged him well and willingly, and made his 
 door be well shut fast and Messire Gawain be 
 disarmed, and that night he showed him honour 
 as well as he might. And when it came to 
 the morrow and Messire Gawain was minded 
 to depart thence, the Vavasour saith to him, 
 ' Sir, you may not depart thus, for this door 
 hath not been opened this long while save only 
 yesterday, when I made it be opened before 
 you, to the intent that you should meet on my 
 behalf a certain knight that is fain to slay me, 
 for that the King of Castle Mortal hath had 
 his hold herewithin, he that warreth on the 
 Queen of the Maidens. Wherefore I pray 
 you that you help me to defend it against the 
 knight.' * What shield beareth he ? ' saith 
 Messire Gawain. He beareth a golden shield 
 with a green cross.' ' And what sort of knight 
 is he?' saith Messire Gawain. 'Sir,' saith 
 the Vavasour, ' A good knight and a hardy and 
 a sure.' ' By my faith,' saith Messire Gawain,
 
 244 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain < And you can tell me tidings of another knight 
 again w hereof I am in quest, I will protect you 
 
 Perce^l a g amst tn ' 8 one to tne best " ma y> an d if he 
 will do nought for my prayer, I will safeguard 
 you of my force.' ' What knight, then, do 
 you go seek ? ' saith the Vavasour. ' Sir, a 
 knight that is called Perceval, and he hath 
 carried away from the court of King Arthur 
 a shield banded argent and azure with a red 
 cross on a band of gold. He will be at the 
 assembly in the Red Launde. These tidings 
 had I of the knight you dread so much.' 
 
 IV 
 
 Thereupon, whilst Messire Gawain was thus 
 speaking to the Vavasour, behold you the 
 Knight of the Golden Shield, that draweth 
 rein in the midst of a launde that was between 
 the castle and the forest. The Vavasour seeth 
 him from the windows of the hall, and pointeth 
 him out to Messire Gawain. Messire Gawain 
 goeth and mounteth on his destrier, his shield 
 at his neck and his spear in his fist, all armed, 
 and issueth forth of the door when it had been 
 unfastened, and cometh toward the knight, that 
 awaited him on his horse. He seeth Messire 
 Gawain coming, but moveth not, and Messire 
 Gawain marvelleth much that the knight cometh 
 not toward him, for him thinketh well that the 
 Vavasour had told him true. But he had not, 
 for never had the knight come thither to do 
 the Vavasour any hurt, but on account of the 
 knights that passed by that way that went to 
 seek adventure, for right glad was he to see
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 245 
 
 them albeit he was not minded to make himself The 
 known to any. Messire Gawain looketh before Vava- 
 him and behind him and seeth that the door f our ? 
 was made fast and the bridge drawn up so soon 
 as he was departed thence, whereof he marvelled 
 much and saith to the knight, ' Sir, is your 
 intent nought but good only ? ' 'By my head/ 
 saith he, ' Nought at all, and readily will I tell 
 it you.' Thereupon, behold you a damsel that 
 cometh a great pace, and held a whip where- 
 with she hurrieth her mule onward, and she 
 draweth rein there where the two knights were. 
 * Ha, God ! ' saith she, * Shall I ever find one 
 to wreak me vengeance of the traitor Vavasour 
 that dwelleth in this castle ? ' 'Is he then 
 traitor ? ' saith Messire Gawain. ' Yea, Sir, 
 the most traitor you saw ever ! He lodged my 
 brother the day before yesterday, and bore him 
 on hand at night that a certain knight was 
 warring upon him for that the way whereby the 
 knights pass is here in front of this place, and 
 lied to him so much as that my brother held 
 him in covenant that he would assault a certain 
 knight that he should point out to him, for 
 love of him. This knight came passing hereby, 
 that had no thought to do hurt neither to the 
 Vavasour nor to my brother. The knight was 
 right strong and hardy, and was born at the 
 castle of Escavalon. My brother issued forth 
 of the castle filled with fool-hardiness for the 
 leasing of the Vavasour, and ran upon the knight 
 without a word. The knight could do no less 
 than avenge himself. They hurtled together so 
 sore that their horses fell under them and their
 
 246 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The spears passed either through other's heart. Thus 
 
 damsel we re both twain killed on this very piece of 
 
 f the ground. 
 horse- 
 
 bier y 
 
 ' The Vavasour took the arms and the horses 
 and put them in safe keeping in his castle, and 
 the bodies of the knights he left to the wild 
 beasts, that would have devoured them had I 
 not chanced to come thither with two knights 
 that helped me bury them by yonder cross at 
 the entrance of the forest.' * By my head,' 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' In like manner would 
 he have wrought me mischief had I been minded 
 to trust him ; for he bore me in hand that this 
 knight was warring upon him, and besought me 
 that I should safeguard him against him. But 
 our Lord God so helped me that I intermeddled 
 not therein, for lightly might I have wrought 
 folly.' ' By the name of God,' saith the other, 
 * Meseemeth it clear that the Vavasour would 
 fain that knights should kill each other.' ' Sir,' 
 saith the damsel, * You say true ; it is of his 
 covetise of harness and horses that he entreateth 
 the knights on this-wise.' ' Damsel,' saith 
 Messire Gawain, * Whither go you ? ' ' Sir,' 
 saith she, * After a knight that I have made be 
 carried in a litter for the dead.' I saw him,' 
 saith he, ' pass by here last night, full late last 
 night.' The knight taketh leave of Messire 
 Gawain, and Messire Gawain saith that he 
 holdeth himself a churl in that he hath not 
 asked him of his name. But the knight said, 
 ' Fair Sir, I pray you of love that you ask not
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 247 
 
 my name until such time as I shall ask you of Josuias 
 yours.' the _ 
 
 hermit 
 
 VI 
 
 Messire Gawain would ask nought further of 
 the knight, and the knight entered into the 
 Lonely Forest and Messire Gawain goeth on 
 his way. He meeteth neither knight nor dam- 
 sel to whom he telleth not whom he goeth to 
 seek, and they all say that he will be in the 
 Red Launde. He lodged the night with a 
 hermit. At night, the hermit asked Messire 
 Gawain whence he came ? ' Sir, from the land 
 of the Queen of the Maidens.' ' Have you 
 seen Perceval, the Good Knight that took the 
 shield in King Arthur's court and left another 
 there ? ' ' No, certes,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 * whereof am I right sorrowful. But a knight 
 with a shield of gold and a green cross thereon 
 told me that he would be at the Red Launde.' 
 ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' You say true, for it was 
 he himself to whom you spake. To-night is 
 the third night since he lay within yonder, and 
 see here the brachet he brought from King 
 Arthur's court, which he hath commanded me 
 to convey to his uncle, King Hermit.' 'Alas ! ' 
 saith Messire Gawain, 'What ill chance is mine 
 if this be true ! ' * Sir,' saith the hermit, * I 
 ought not to lie, neither to you nor other. By 
 the brachet may you well know that this is 
 true.' ' Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Of 
 custom beareth he no such shield.' 'I know 
 well,' saith the hermit, ' what shield he ought 
 to bear, and what shield he will bear hereafter.
 
 248 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perce- But this doth he that he may not be known, 
 val's an d this shield took he in the hermitage of 
 c ose . Joseus, the son of King Hermit, there where 
 Lancelot was lodged, where he hanged the four 
 thieves that would have broken into the hermit- 
 age by night. And within there hath remained 
 the shield he brought from King Arthur's court, 
 with Joseus the son of my sister, and they are 
 . as brother and sister between the twain, and 
 you may know of very truth that albeit Joseus 
 be hermit, no knight is there in Great Britain 
 of his heart and hardiment.' 
 
 VII 
 
 ' Certes,' saith Messire Gawain, 'It was sore 
 mischance for me that I should see him yester- 
 day before the castle where the knights pass by, 
 and speak to him and ask him his name, but he 
 besought me that I should not ask him his name 
 until such time as he should ask me mine ; and 
 with that he departed from me and entered into 
 the forest, and I came hitherward. Now am I 
 so sorrowful that I know not what I may do for 
 the best, for King Arthur sendeth me in quest 
 of him, and Lancelot hath also gone to seek 
 him in another part of the kingdom of L ogres. 
 But now hath too great mischance befallen me 
 of this quest, for twice have I seen him and 
 found him and spoken to him, and now have I 
 lost him again.' ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' He 
 is so close and wary a knight, that he is fain 
 never to waste a word, neither will he make 
 false semblant to any nor speak word that he 
 would not should be heard, nor do shame of
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 249 
 
 his body to his knowledge, nor carnal sin, for The Red 
 virgin and chaste is he and doth never outrage Launde 
 to any.' I know well,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 * that all the valours and all the cleannesses that 
 ought to be in a knight are in him, and there- 
 fore am I the more sorrowful that I am not 
 of them that he knoweth, for a man is worth 
 the more that hath acquaintance with a good 
 knight.' 
 
 VIII 
 
 Messire Gawain lay the night in the hermit's 
 house, right sorrowful, and in the morning de- 
 parted when he had heard mass. Josephus the 
 good clerk witnesseth us in this high history 
 that this hermit had to name Josuias, and was a 
 knight of great worship and valour, but he re- 
 nounced all for the love of God, and was fain 
 to set his body in banishment for Him. And 
 all these adventures that you hear in this high 
 record came to pass, Josephus telleth us, for 
 the setting forward the law of the Saviour. 
 All of them could he not record, but only these 
 whereof he best remembered him, and whereof 
 he knew for certain all the adventures by virtue 
 of the Holy Spirit. This high record saith 
 that Messire Gawain hath wandered so far that 
 he is come into the Red Launde whereas the 
 assembly of knights should be held. He lookcth 
 and seeth the tents pitched and the knights 
 coming from all quarters. The most part were 
 already armed within and before their tents. 
 Messire Gawain looketh everywhere, thinking 
 to see the knight he seeketh, but seemeth him
 
 250 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Gawain he seeth him not, for no such shield seeth he as 
 seeketh he beareth. All abashed is he thereof, for he 
 Perceval j^^ seen a jj t ^e tents and looked at all the 
 arms. But the knight is not easy to recognise, 
 for he hath changed his arms, and nigh enough 
 is he to Messire Gawain, albeit you may well 
 understand that he knoweth it not. And the 
 tournament assembleth from all parts, and the 
 divers fellowships come the one against other, 
 and the melly of either upon other as they come 
 together waxeth sore and marvellous. And 
 Messire Gawain searcheth the ranks to find the 
 knight, albeit when he meeteth knight in his 
 way he cannot choose but do whatsoever a 
 knight may do of arms, and yet more would he 
 have done but for his fainness to seek out the 
 knight. The damsel is at the head of the 
 tournament, for that she would fain know the 
 one that shall have the mastery and the prize 
 therein. The knight that Messire Gawain 
 seeketh is not at the head of the fellowships, 
 but in the thickest of the press, and such feats of 
 arms doth he that more may no knight do, and 
 8miteth down the knights about him, that flee 
 from him even as the deer-hound fleeth from 
 the lion. ' By my faith,' saith Messire Gawain, 
 ' sith that they have lied to me about the knight, 
 I will seek him no more this day, but forget my 
 discontent as best I may until evening.' He 
 seeth the knight, but knoweth him not, for he 
 had a white shield and cognisances of the 
 same. And Messire Gawain cometh to him as 
 fast as his horse may carry him, and the knight 
 toward Messire Gawain. So passing stoutly
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 251 
 
 they come together that they pierce their shields and 
 
 below the boss. Their spears were so tough fighteth 
 
 that they break not, and they draw them forth , _ 
 , J . . J , , , unknowr 
 
 and come together again so strongly that the 
 
 spears wherewith they smote each other amidst 
 the breast were bended so that they unriveted 
 the holdfasts of their shields, and they lost their 
 stirrups, and the reins fly from their fists, and 
 they stagger against the back saddlebows, and 
 the horses stumbled so as that they all but fell. 
 They straighten them in saddle and stirrup, and 
 catch hold upon their reins, and then come 
 together again, burning with wrath and fury like 
 lions, and either smiteth on other with their 
 spears that may endure no longer, for the shafts 
 are all to-frushed as far as the fists in such sort 
 that they that look on marvel them much how 
 it came to pass that the points had not pierced 
 their bodies. But God would not that the 
 good knights should slay each other, rather 
 would He that the one should know the true 
 worth of the other. The habergeons safe- 
 guarded not their bodies, but the might of God 
 in whom they believed, for in them had they 
 all the valour that knight should have ; and 
 never did Messire Gawain depart from hostel 
 wherein he had lien, but he first heard mass 
 before he went if so he might, nor never found 
 he dame nor damsel discounselled whereof he 
 had not pity, nor did he ever churlishness to 
 other knight, nor said nor thought it, and he 
 came, as you have heard, of the most holy 
 lineage of Josephus and the good King Fisher- 
 man.
 
 252 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval 
 
 departeth Ix 
 
 secretly rp he ^ QQ( ^ knights were j n t ^ e m j ( j st f t ^ c 
 
 assembly, and right wrathful was the one against 
 the other, and they held their swords naked 
 and their shields on their arms and dealt each 
 other huge buffets right in the midst of the 
 helms. The most part of the knights come to 
 them and tell them that the assembly waiteth 
 for them to come thereunto. They have much 
 pains to part them asunder, and then the melly 
 beginneth again on all sides, and the evening 
 cometh on that parteth them at last. And on 
 this wise the assembly lasted for two days. 
 The damsel that brought the knight on a bier 
 in a coffin, dead, prayed the assembly of all the 
 knights to declare which one of all the knights 
 had done the best, for the knight that she 
 made be carried might not be buried until such 
 time as he were avenged. And they say that 
 the knight of the white shield and the other 
 with the shield sinople and the golden eagle 
 had done better than all the other, but, for 
 that the knight of the white shield had joined 
 in the melly before the other, they therefore 
 would give him the prize ; but they judged that 
 for the time that Messire Gawain had joined 
 therein he had not done worse than the other 
 knight. The damsel seeketh the knight of the 
 white shield among the knights and throughout 
 all the tents, but cannot find him, for already 
 hath he departed. She cometh to Messire 
 Gawain and saith : ' Sir, sith that I find not 
 the knight of the white shield, you are he that
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 253 
 
 behoveth avenge the knight that lieth dead in The 
 
 the litter.' ' Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, damsel 
 
 1 Do me not this shame, for it hath been declared ? e 
 
 norse- 
 that the other knight hath better done herein ^ er 
 
 than I.' 
 
 'Damsel, well you know that no honour 
 should I have thereof, were I to emprise to do 
 that whereof you beseech me, for you have said 
 that behoveth none to avenge him, save only he 
 that hath borne him best at this assembly, and 
 that is he of the white shield, and, so God help 
 me, this have I well felt and proven.' 
 
 XI 
 
 The damsel well understandeth that Messire 
 Gawain speaketh reason. ' Ha, Sir,' saith she, 
 ' He hath already departed hence and gone into 
 the forest, and the most divers-seeming knight 
 is he and the best that liveth, and great pains 
 shall I have or ever I find him again.' ' The 
 best ? ' saith Messire Gawain ; ' How know you 
 that ? ' 'I know it well,' saith she, ' For that 
 in the house of King Fisherman did the Graal 
 appear unto him for the goodness of his knight- 
 hood and the goodness of his heart and for the 
 chastity of his body. But he forgat to ask that 
 one should serve thereof, whence hath sore 
 harm befallen the land. He came to the court 
 of King Arthur, where he took a shield that 
 none ought to bear save he alone. Up to this 
 time have I well known his coming and going, 
 but nought shall I know thereof hereafter for
 
 254 THE HOLY GRAAL 
 
 Gawain that he hath changed the cognisance of his 
 
 sore shield and arms. And now am I entered into 
 
 grieved gore p a j n an( j trava ii t0 ggg^ hj mj f or j shall 
 
 not have found him of a long space, and I 
 came not to this assembly save for him alone.' 
 ' Damsel,' saith Messire Gawain, ' You have 
 told me tidings such as no gladness have I 
 thereof, for I also am seeking him, but I know 
 not how I may ever recognise him, for he 
 willeth not to tell me his name, and too often 
 changeth he his shield, and well I know that 
 so I shall ever come in place where he hath 
 changed his cognisance, and he shall come 
 against me and I against him, I shall only 
 know him by the buffets that he knoweth how 
 to deal, for never in arms have I made ac- 
 quaintance with so cruel a knight. But again 
 would I suffer sorer blows than I have suffered 
 yet, so only I might be where he is.' ' Sir,' 
 saith the damsel, ' What is your name ? ' ' Damsel,' 
 saith he, * I am called Gawain.' With that he 
 commendeth the damsel to God, and goeth his 
 way in one direction and the damsel in another, 
 and saith to herself that Perceval is the most 
 marvellous knight of the world, that so often 
 he discogniseth himself. For when one seeth 
 him one may recognise him not. Messire 
 Gawain rideth amidst the forest, and prayeth 
 the Saviour lead him into such place as that he 
 may find Perceval openly, in such sort that he 
 may have his acquaintance and his love that so 
 greatly he desireth.
 
 BRANCH XIV 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 HEREWITHAL the story is silent of Lancelot 
 Messire Gawain, and saith that Lancelot an d 
 seeketh Perceval in like manner as did Messire J oseus 
 Gawain, and rideth until that he cometh to the 
 hermitage where he hanged the thieves. Joseus 
 made right great joy of him. He asked him 
 whether he knew any tidings of the son of the 
 Widow Lady. 'I have seen him sithence 
 that he came from King Arthur's court but 
 once only, and whither he is gone I know not.' 
 ' Sir,' saith Lancelot, ' I would see him right 
 fain. King Arthur sendeth for him by me.' 
 < Sir,' saith the hermit, ' I know not when I 
 may see him again, for when once he departeth 
 hence he is not easy to find.' Lancelot 
 entereth the chapel with the hermit, and seeth 
 the shield that Perceval brought from King 
 Arthur's court beside the altar. ' Sir,' saith 
 Lancelot, ' I see his shield yonder. Hide him 
 not from me.' 'I will not do so,' saith the 
 hermit. ' This shield, truly, is his, but he took 
 with him another from hence, of gold with a 
 green cross.' 'And know you no tidings of 
 Messire Gawain ? ' 'I have not seen Messire 
 Gawain sithence tofore I entered into this 
 hermitage. But you have fallen into sore 
 
 255
 
 256 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The hatred on account of the four robbers that 
 Golden were knights whom you hanged. For their 
 Circlet kinsmen are searching for you in this forest and 
 in other, and are thieves like as were the others, 
 and they have their hold in this forest, wherein 
 they bestow their robberies and plunder. Where- 
 fore I pray you greatly be on your guard against 
 them.' 'So will I, saith Lancelot, 'please 
 God.' He lay the night in the hermitage, 
 and departeth on the morrow after that he 
 hath heard mass, and prayeth God grant he 
 may find Perceval or Messire Gawain. He 
 goeth his way amidst the strange forests until 
 that he cometh to a strong castle that was 
 builded right seemly. He looketh before him 
 and seeth a knight that was issued thereout, and 
 was riding a great pace on a strong destrier, 
 and carried a bird on his fist toward the forest. 
 
 II 
 
 When he saw Lancelot coming he drew up. 
 ' Sir,' saith he, ' Be welcome.' ' Good ad- 
 venture to you,' saith Lancelot. 'What castle 
 is this?' 'Sir, it is the Castle of the Golden 
 Circlet. And I go to meet the knights and 
 dames that come to the castle, for this day 
 is the day ordained for the adoration of the 
 Golden Circlet.' ' What is the Golden Circ- 
 let ? ' saith Lancelot. 'Sir, it is the Crown of 
 Thorns,' saith the knight, ' that the Saviour of 
 the world had on His head when He was set 
 upon the Rood. Wherefore the Queen of 
 this castle hath set it in gold and precious 
 stones in such sort that the knights and dames
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 257 
 
 of this kingdom come to behold it once in the Lancelot 
 
 year. But it is said that the knight that was and tfa e 
 
 first at the Graal shall conquer it, and therefore damsel 
 
 is no strange knight allowed to enter. But, so 
 
 please you, I will lead you to my own hold that 
 
 is in this forest.' ' Right great thanks/ saith 
 
 Lancelot, 'But as yet is it not time to take 
 
 lodging.' He taketh leave of the knight, and 
 
 so departeth and looketh at the castle, and saith 
 
 that in right great worship should the knight be 
 
 held that by the valour of his chivalry shall 
 
 conquer so noble a hallow as is the Golden 
 
 Circlet when it is kept safe in a place so strong. 
 
 He goeth his way right amidst the forest, and 
 
 looketh forth before him and seeth coming the 
 
 damsel that hath the knight carried in the litter 
 
 for the dead. 'Damsel,' saith Lancelot, 'Be 
 
 welcome.' ' Sir, God give you good adventure ! 
 
 Sir,' saith the damsel, ' Greatly ought I to 
 
 hate the knight that slew this knight, for that 
 
 he hath forced me thus to lead him in this wise 
 
 by fell and forest. So also ought I to mislike 
 
 me much of the knight that it standeth upon to 
 
 avenge him, whom I may not find.' ' Damsel,' 
 
 saith Lancelot, ' Who slew this knight ? ' ' Sir,' 
 
 saith she, ' The Lord of the Burning Dragon.' 
 
 ' And who ought of right to avenge him ? ' 
 
 ' Sir,' saith she, 'The knight that was in the Red 
 
 Launde at the assembly, that jousted with Messire 
 
 Gawain, and had the prize of the tournament.' 
 
 ' Did he better than Messire Gawain ? ' saith 
 
 Lancelot. 'Sir, so did they adjudge him; for 
 
 that he was a longer time in the assembly.' 
 
 'A good knight was he, then,' saith Lancelot.
 
 258 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A robber * Sith that he did better than Messire Gawain ! ' 
 hold < By m y head,' saith the damsel, You say true, 
 for he is the Best Knight of the World.' ' And 
 what shield beareth he ? ' saith Lancelot. ' Sir,' 
 saith the damsel, ' At the assembly he bore 
 white arms, but before that, he had arms of 
 another semblance, and one shield that he had 
 was green, and one gold with a green cross.' 
 ' Damsel,' saith he, ' Did Messire Gawain know 
 him ? ' ' Sir, not at all, whereof is he right 
 sorrowful.' * Is he then,' saith he, ' Perceval, 
 the son of the Widow Lady?' 'By my 
 head, you say true ! ' ' Ha, God ! ' saith 
 Lancelot, ' The more am I mazed how Messire 
 Gawain knew him not. Damsel,' saith he, 
 ' And know you whitherward they are gone ? ' 
 * Sir,' saith she, * I know not whither, nor have 
 I any tidings, neither of the one nor the other.' 
 He departeth from the damsel and rideth until 
 the sun was set. He found the rocks darkling 
 and the forest right deep and perilous of seem- 
 ing. He rode on, troubled in thought, and 
 weary and full of vexation. Many a time 
 looketh he to right and to left, and he may see 
 any place where he may lodge. A dwarf 
 espied him, but Lancelot saw him not. The 
 dwarf goeth right along a by-way that is in the 
 forest, and goeth to a little hold of robber- 
 knights that lay out of the way, where was a 
 damsel that kept watch over the hold. The 
 robbers had another hold where was the damsel 
 where the passing knights are deceived and 
 entrapped. The dwarf cometh forthright to 
 the damsel, and saith : * Now shall we see
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 259 
 
 what you will do, for see, here cometh the knight A 
 that hanged your uncle and your three cousins treacher- 
 german.' 'Now shall I have the best of him,' a)[msel 
 saith she, ' as for mine own share in this matter, 
 but take heed that you be garnished ready to 
 boot.' 'By my head,' saith the dwarf, 'That 
 will I, for, please God, he shall not escape us 
 again, save he be dead.' The damsel was of 
 passing great beauty and was clad right seemingly, 
 but right treacherous was she of heart, nor no 
 marvel was it thereof, for she came " of the 
 lineage of robbers and was nurtured on theft 
 and robbery, and she herself had helped to 
 murder many a knight. She is come upon the 
 way, so that Lancelot hath to pass her, with- 
 out her kerchief. She meeteth Lancelot and 
 saluteth him and maketh him right great joy, of 
 semblant. ' Sir,' saith she, ' Follow this path 
 that goeth into the forest, and you will find a 
 hold that my forefathers stablished for harbour- 
 ing of such knights as might be passing through 
 the forest. The night is dark already, and if 
 you pass on further no hold will you find nearer 
 than a score leagues Welsh.' ' Damsel,' saith 
 Lancelot, ' Gramercy heartily of this that it 
 pleaseth you to say, for right gladly will I 
 harbour me here, for it is more than time to 
 take lodging, and with you more willingly than 
 another.' 
 
 Ill 
 
 On this wise they go their way talking, as far 
 as the hold. There was none therewithin save 
 only the dwarf, for the five robber knights were
 
 260 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lancelot in their hold at the lower end of the forest. 
 is wary The dwarf took Lancelot's horse, and stabled 
 him, then went up into the hall above, and gave 
 himself up wholly to serving him. ' Sir,' saith 
 the damsel, ' Allow yourself to be disarmed, and 
 have full assurance of safety.' 'Damsel,' saith 
 he, * Small trouble is it for me to wear mine 
 arms, and lightly may I abide it.' ' Sir,' saith 
 she, ' Please God, you shall not lie armed within 
 yonder. Never yet did knight so that harboured 
 therein.' But the more the damsel presseth him 
 to disarm, the more it misliketh him, for the 
 place seemeth him right dark and foul-seeming, 
 wherefore will he not disarm nor disgarnish 
 himself. ' Sir,' saith she, ' Meseemeth you are 
 suspicious of something, but no call have you to 
 misdoubt of aught here within, for the place is 
 quite safe. I know not whether you have 
 enemies?' 'Damsel,' saith Lancelot, 'Never 
 yet knew I knight that was loved of every- 
 body, yet sometimes might none tell the reason 
 thereof.' 
 
 IV 
 
 Lancelot, so saith the story, would not dis- 
 arm him, wherefore he made the table be set, 
 and sate thereat beside the damsel at meat. He 
 made his shield and his helmet and spear be 
 brought into the hall. He leant back upon a 
 rich couch that was therewithin, with his sword 
 by his side, all armed. He was weary and the 
 bed was soft, so he went to sleep. Howbeit, 
 the dwarf mounteth on his horse that he had 
 left still saddled, and goeth his way to the other
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 261 
 
 hold where the robbers were, all five, that Lancelot 
 were Lancelot's mortal enemies. The damsel dreameth 
 remained all alone with him that she hated of a 
 right deadly hate. She thought to herself that 
 gladly would she slay him, and that, so she 
 might compass it, she would be thereof held in 
 greater worship of all the world, for well she 
 knew that he was a good knight, and that one 
 so good she had never slain. She filched away 
 the sword that was at his side, then drew it 
 from the scabbard, then looketh to see where 
 she may lightliest smite him to slay him. She 
 seeth that his head is so covered of armour that 
 nought appeareth thereof save only the face, and 
 she bethinketh her that one stroke nor two on the 
 helmet would scarce hurt him greatly, but that 
 and she might lift the skirt of his habergeon 
 without awakening him she might well slay 
 him, for so might she thrust the sword right 
 through his heart. Meanwhile, as she was 
 searching thus, Lancelot, that was sleeping and 
 took no heed thereof, saw, so it seemed him, a 
 little cur-dog come therewithin, and brought 
 with him sundry great mongrel ban-dogs that 
 ran upon him on all sides, and the little cur bit 
 at him likewise among the others. The ban- 
 dogs held him so fast that he might not get away 
 from them. He seeth that a greyhound bitch 
 had hold of his sword, and she had hands like 
 a woman, and was fain to slay him. And it 
 seemed him that he snatched the sword from 
 her and slew the greyhound bitch and the 
 biggest and most masterful of the ban-dogs and 
 the little cur. He was scared of the dream 
 vol. 1. R
 
 262 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Lance- and started up and awoke, and felt the scabbard 
 lot's of his sword by his side, that the damsel had 
 sword j e f t t h ere a jj empty, the which he perceived not, 
 and soon thereafter he fell on sleep again. The 
 dwarf that had stolen his horse cometh to the 
 robber knights, and crieth to them, ' Up, Sirs, 
 and haste you to come and avenge you of your 
 mortal enemy that sent the best of your kindred 
 out of the world with such shame ! See, here 
 is his horse that I bring you for a token ! ' 
 He alighteth of the horse, and giveth him up to 
 them. Right joyous are the robbers of the 
 tidings he telleth them. The dwarf bringeth 
 them all armed to the hold. 
 
 Lancelot was awake, all scared of the dream 
 he had dreamed. He seeth them enter within 
 all armed, and the damsel crieth to them : 
 * Now will it appear,' saith she, ' what you 
 will do ! ' Lancelot hath leapt up, thinking 
 to take his sword, but findeth the scabbard all 
 empty. The damsel that held the sword was 
 the first of all to run upon him, and the five 
 knights and the dwarf set upon him from every 
 side. He perceived that it was his own sword 
 the damsel held, the one he prized above all 
 other. He taketh his lance that was at his 
 bed's-head and cometh toward the master of 
 the knights at a great sweep, and smiteth him 
 so fiercely that he thrusteth him right through 
 the body so that the lance passeth a fathom 
 beyond, and beareth him to the ground dead. 
 His spear broke as he drew it back. He
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 263 
 
 runneth to the damsel that held the sword, and Lancelot 
 wresteth it forth of her hands and holdeth it and the 
 fast with his arm right against his flank and rob " ers 
 grippeth it to him right strait ; albeit she would 
 fain snatch it again from him by force, whereat 
 Lancelot much marvelled. He swingeth it 
 above him, and the four knights come back 
 upon him. He thinketh to smite one with 
 the sword, when the damsel leapeth in between 
 them, thinking to hold Lancelot fast, and thereby 
 the blow that should have fallen on one of the 
 knights caught the damsel right through the 
 head and slew her, whereof he was right 
 sorrowful, howsoever she might have wrought 
 against him. 
 
 VI 
 
 When the four knights saw the damsel dead, 
 right grieved were they thereof. And the 
 dwarf crieth out to them: 'Lords, now shall 
 it be seen how you will avenge the sore mischief 
 done you. So help me God, great shame may 
 you have and you cannot conquer a single 
 knight.' They run upon him again on all 
 sides, but maugre all their heads he goeth 
 thither where he thinketh to find his horse ; 
 but him findeth he not. Thereby well knoweth 
 he that the dwarf hath made away with him, 
 wherefore he redoubled his hardiment and his 
 wrath waxed more and more. And the knights 
 were not to be lightly apaid when they saw 
 their lord dead and the damsel that was their 
 cousin. Sore buffets they dealt him of their 
 swords the while he defended himself as best
 
 264 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 He he might. He caught the dwarf that was 
 slayeth edging them on to do him hurt, and clave 
 sundry ^ m ag f ar ag ^ shoulders, and wounded two 
 of the knights right badly, and he himself was 
 hurt in two places ; but he might not depart 
 from the house, nor was his horse there within, 
 nor was there but a single entrance into the 
 hall. The knights set themselves without the 
 door and guard the issue, and Lancelot was 
 within with them that were dead. He sate 
 himself down at the top of the hall to rest 
 himself, for he was sore spent with the blows 
 he had given and received. When he had 
 rested himself awhile, he riseth to his feet and 
 seeth that they have sate them down in the 
 entrance to the hall. He mounteth up to the 
 windows and flingeth them down them that 
 were dead within through the windows. Just 
 then the day appeared, fair and clear, and the 
 birds began to sing amidst the forest, whereof 
 the hall was overshadowed. He maketh fast 
 the door of the hall and barreth it and shutteth 
 the knights without; and they say one to the 
 other and swear it, that they will not depart 
 thence until they have taken him or famished him 
 to death. Little had Lancelot recked of their 
 threats and he might have had his horse at 
 will, but he was not so sure of his stroke afoot 
 as a-horseback, as no knight never is. Him 
 thinketh he may well abide the siege as long as 
 God shall please, for the hall was well garnished 
 of meat in right great joints. He is there 
 within all alone, and the four knights without 
 that keep watch that he goeth not, but neither
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 265 
 
 wish nor will hath he to go forth afoot ; but, and 
 and he had had his horse, the great hardiment abideth 
 that he hath in him would have made that he 
 should go forth honourably, howsoever they 
 without might have taken it and what grievance 
 soever they might have had thereof.
 
 BRANCH XV 
 
 TITLE I 
 
 Gawain T TERE the story is silent of Lancelot, and 
 and X X talketh of Messire Gawain that goeth 
 J to seek Perceval, and is right heavy for that 
 twice hath he found him when he knew him 
 not. He cometh back again to the cross 
 whereas he told Lancelot he would await him 
 so he should come thither before him. He 
 went and came to and fro by the forest more 
 than eight days to wait for him, but could hear 
 no tidings. He would not return to King 
 Arthur's court, for had he gone thither in such 
 case, he would have had blame thereof. He 
 goeth back upon the quest and saith that he 
 will never stint therein until he shall have found 
 both Lancelot and Perceval. He cometh to 
 the hermitage of Joseus, and alighted of his 
 horse and found the young hermit Joseus, that 
 received him well and made full great joy of 
 him. He harboured the night therewithin. 
 Messire Gawain asked him tidings of Perceval, 
 and the hermit telleth him he hath not seen 
 him since before the assembly of the Red 
 Launde. 'And can you tell me where I 
 may find him ? ' saith Messire Gawain. ' Not 
 I,' saith the hermit, ' I cannot tell you where- 
 about he is.' While they were talking on 
 
 268
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 267 
 
 this wise, straightway behold you a knight Tidings 
 
 coming that hath arras of azure, and alighteth f 
 
 at the hermitage to lodge there. The hermit " erceval 
 
 receiveth him right gladly. Messire Gawain 
 
 asketh him if he saw a knight with white arms 
 
 ride amidst the forest. ' By my faith,' saith 
 
 the knight, ' I have seen him this day and 
 
 spoken with him, and he asked me and I 
 
 could tell him tidings of a knight that beareth 
 
 a shield of sinople witli a golden eagle, and I 
 
 told him, no. Afterward, I enquired wherefore 
 
 he asked it, and he made answer that he had 
 
 jousted at him in the Red Launde, nor never 
 
 before had he found so sturdy assault of any 
 
 knight, wherefore he was right sorrowful for 
 
 that he was not acquainted with him, for the 
 
 sake of his good knighthood.' * By my faith,' 
 
 saith Gawain, The knight is more sorrowful 
 
 than he, for nought is there in the world he 
 
 would gladlier see than him.' The knight 
 
 espieth Messire Gawain's shield and saith, 
 
 ' Ha, Sir, methinketh you are he.' ' Certes,' 
 
 saith Messire Gawain, ' you say true. I am 
 
 he against whom he jousted, and right glad am 
 
 I that so good a knight smote upon my shield, 
 
 and right sorrowful for that I knew him not ; 
 
 but tell me where I may find him ? ' 
 
 II 
 
 * Sir,' saith Joseus the Hermit, ' He will 
 not have gone forth from this forest, for this is 
 the place wherein he wonneth most willingly, 
 and the shield that he brought from King 
 Arthur's court is in this chapel.' So he
 
 268 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval showeth the shield to Messire Gawain that 
 arriveth maketh great joy thereof. * Ha, Sir,' saith 
 the knight of the white arms, ' Is your name 
 Messire Gawain ? ' 'Fair Sir,' saith he, 
 'Gawain am I called.' * Sir,' saith the knight, 
 ' I have not ceased to seek you for a long while 
 past. Meliot of Logres, that is your man, the 
 son of the lady that was slain on your account, 
 sendeth you word that Nabigant of the Rock 
 hath slain his father on your account ; where- 
 t fore he challengeth the land that hath fallen to 
 
 him ; and hereof he prayeth you that you will 
 come to succour him as behoveth lord to do to 
 his liege man.' ' By my faith,' saith Messire 
 Gawain, ' Behoveth me not fail him therein, 
 wherefore tell him I will succour him so soon 
 as I may ; but tell him I have emprised a 
 business that I cannot leave but with loss of 
 honour until such time as it be achieved.' 
 They lay the night at the hermitage until after 
 mass was sung on the morrow. 
 
 Ill 
 
 The knight departed and Messire Gawain 
 remained. So when he was apparelled to 
 mount, he looketh before him at the issue of 
 the forest toward the hermitage, and seeth 
 coming a knight on a tall horse, full speed and 
 all armed, and he bore a shield like the one he 
 saw Perceval bearing the first time. 'Sir,' 
 saith he, ' Know you this knight that cometh 
 there ? ' ' Truly, Sir, well do I know him. 
 This is Perceval whom you seek, whom you so 
 much desire to see ! ' ' God be praised there-
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 269 
 
 of!' saith Messire Gawain, 'Inasmuch as he Gawain 
 
 cometh hither.' He goeth afoot to meet him, knoweth 
 
 and Perceval alighteth so soon as he seeth him. * ercevaJ 
 
 * Sir,' saith Messire Gawain, ' Right welcome 
 
 may you be ! ' * Good joy may you have,' saith 
 
 Perceval. ' Sir,' saith the hermit, ' Make 
 
 great joy of him ! this is Messire Gawain, 
 
 King Arthur's nephew.' ' Thereof do I love 
 
 him the better ! ' saith he. * Honour and joy 
 
 ought all they to do him that know him ! ' He 
 
 throweth his arms on his neck, and so maketh 
 
 him great joy. * Sir,' saith he, ' Can you tell 
 
 me tidings of a knight that was in the Red 
 
 Launde at the assembly of knights ? ' 'What 
 
 shield beareth he ? ' saith Messire Gawain. * A 
 
 red shield with a golden eagle,' saith Perceval. 
 
 ' And more by token, never made I acquaintance 
 
 with any so sturdy in battle as are he and 
 
 Lancelot.' 'Fair sir, it pleaseth you to say 
 
 so,' saith Messire Gawain. ' In the Red Launde 
 
 was I at the assembly, and such arms bore I as 
 
 these you blazon, and I jousted against a knight 
 
 in white arms, of whom I know this, that all of 
 
 knighthood that may be lodged in the body of 
 
 a man is in him.' ' Sir,' saith Perceval to 
 
 Messire Gawain, ' You know not how to blame 
 
 any man.' So they hold one another by the 
 
 hands, and go into the hermitage. ' Sir,' saith 
 
 Messire Gawain, ' When you were in the court 
 
 of King Arthur for the shield that is within 
 
 yonder, your sister was also there, and prayed 
 
 and besought the help of the knight that should 
 
 bear away the shield, as being the most dis- 
 
 counselled damsel in the world. The King
 
 270 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Good granted it her, and you bore away the shield, 
 knights' She asked your aid of the King as she that 
 converse j eemec i not y 0U we re her brother, and said that 
 if the King failed of his covenant, he would do 
 great sin, whereof would he have much blame. 
 The King was fain to do all he might to seek 
 you, to make good that he had said, and sent us 
 forth in quest of you, so that the quest lieth 
 between me and Lancelot. He himself would 
 have come had we been unwilling to go. Sir, 
 I have found you three times without knowing 
 you, albeit great desire had I to see you. This 
 is the fourth time and I know you now, whereof 
 I make myself right joyous ; and much am I 
 beholden to you of the fair lodging your mother 
 gave me at Camelot ; but right sore pity have 
 I of her, for a right worshipful woman is she, 
 and a widow lady and ancient, and fallen into 
 much war without aid nor comfort, through the 
 evil folk that harass her and reave her of her 
 castles. She prayed me, weeping the while 
 right sweetly, that and if I should find you that 
 are her son, I should tell you of her plight, 
 that your father is dead, and that she hath no 
 succour nor aid to look for save from you alone, 
 and if you succour her not shortly, she will 
 lose her own one castle that she holdeth, and 
 must needs become a beggar, for of the fifteen 
 castles she wont to have in your father's time, 
 she hath now only that of Camelot, nor of all 
 her knights hath she but five to guard the 
 castle. Wherefore I pray you on her behalf 
 and for your own honour, that you will grant 
 her herein of your counsel and your valour and
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 271 
 
 your might, for of no chivalry that you may do Perceval 
 may you rise to greater worship. And so sore & 
 need hath she herein as you hear me tell, nor a . ' 
 would I that she should lose aught by default of 
 message, for thereof should I have sin and she 
 harm, and you yourself also, that have the 
 power to amend it and ought of right so to do ! ' 
 ' Well have you delivered yourself herein,' 
 saith Perceval, * And betimes will I succour her 
 and our Lord God will.' 'You will do 
 honour to yourself,' saith Messire Gawain. 
 ' Thereof will you have praise with God and 
 worship with the world.' ' Well know I,' 
 saith Perceval, ' that in me ought she to have 
 aid and counsel as of right, and that so I do not 
 accordingly, I ought to have reproach and be 
 blamed as recreant before the world.' 
 
 IV 
 
 ' In God's name,' saith the hermit, * You 
 speak according to the scripture, for he that 
 honoureth not his father and mother neither 
 believeth in God nor loveth Him.' ' All this 
 know I well,' saith Perceval, ' And well pleased 
 am I to be reminded thereof, and well know 
 I also mine intent herein, albeit I tell it to none. 
 But if any can tell me tidings of Lancelot, right 
 willingly shall I hear them, and take it kindly 
 of the teller thereof.' * Sir,' saith Joseus, ' It is 
 but just now since he lay here within, and asked 
 me tidings of Messire Gawain, and I told him 
 such as I knew. Another time before that, he 
 lay here when the robbers assailed us that he 
 hanged in the forest, and so hated is he thereof
 
 272 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Tidings of their kinsfolk that and they may meet him, 
 f so they have the might, he is like to pay for it 
 
 ance ot r jgi lt dear, and in this forest won they rather 
 than in any other. I told him as much, but he 
 made light thereof in semblant, even as he will 
 in deed also if their force be not too great.' 
 ' By my head,' saith Perceval, * I will not 
 depart forth of this forest until I know tidings 
 of him, if Messire Gawain will pledge him- 
 self thereto.' And Messire saith he desireth 
 nothing better, sith that he hath found Perceval, 
 for he may not be at ease until such time as he 
 shall know tidings of Lancelot, for he hath 
 great misgiving sith that he hath enemies in the 
 forest. 
 
 Perceval and Messire Gawain sojourned that 
 day in the forest in the hermitage, and the 
 morrow Perceval took his shield that he brought 
 from King Arthur's court, and left that which 
 he brought with him, and Messire Gawain 
 along with him that made himself right joyous 
 of his company. They ride amidst the forest 
 both twain, all armed, and at the right hour of 
 noon they meet a knight that was coming a 
 great gallop as though he were all scared. 
 Perceval asketh him whence he cometh, that 
 he seemeth so a-dread. ' Sir, I come from 
 the forest of the robbers that won in this 
 forest wherethrough you have to pass. They 
 have chased me a full league Welsh to slay me, 
 but they would not follow me further for a 
 knight that they have beset in one of their
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 273 
 
 holds, that hath done them right sore mischief, Lancelot 
 
 for he hath hanged four of their knights and needeth 
 
 slain one, as well as the fairest damsel that was succour 
 
 in a kingdom. But right well had she deserved 
 
 the death for that she harboured knights with 
 
 fair semblant and showed them much honour, 
 
 and afterward brought about their death and 
 
 destruction, between herself and a dwarf that 
 
 she hath, that slew the knights.' ' And know 
 
 you who '13 the knight ? ' saith Perceval. ' Sir,' 
 
 saith the knight, 'Not I, for no leisure had I to 
 
 ask him, for sorer need had I to flee than to 
 
 stay. But I tell you that on account of the 
 
 meat that failed him in the hold wherein they 
 
 beset him, he issued forth raging like a lion, 
 
 nor would he have suffered himself be shut up 
 
 so long but for two wounds that he had upon 
 
 his body ; for he cared not to issue forth of 
 
 the house until such time as they were healed, 
 
 and also for that he had no horse. And so 
 
 soon as he felt himself whole, he ventured 
 
 himself against the four knights, that were so 
 
 a-dread of him that they durst not come a-nigh. 
 
 And moreover he deigneth not to go a-foot, 
 
 wherefore if they now come a-nigh, it may not 
 
 be but he shall have one at least out of their 
 
 four horses, but they hold them heedfully 
 
 aloof.' 'Sir,' saith Perceval, 'Gramercy of 
 
 these tidings.' They were fain to depart from 
 
 the knight, but said he : ' Ha, Lords, allow 
 
 me so much as to see the destruction of this 
 
 evil folk that have wrought such mischief in 
 
 this forest ! Sir,' saith he to Messire Gawain, 
 
 ' I am cousin to the Poor Knight of the Waste
 
 274 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval Forest that hath the two poor damsels to sister, 
 ^d there where you and Lancelot jousted between 
 
 Gawain y QU ^ an( j wnen tne knight that brought you 
 tidings thereof died in the night.' ' By my 
 faith,' saith Messire Gawain, 'These tidings 
 know I well, for you say true, and your com- 
 pany hold I right dear for the love of the 
 Poor Knight, for never yet saw I more 
 courteous knight, nor more courteous damsels, 
 nor better nurtured, and our Lord God grant 
 them as much good as I would they should 
 have.' Messire Gawain made the knight go 
 before, for well knew he the robbers' hold, but 
 loath enough had he been to go thither, had 
 the knights not followed him behind. Lance- 
 lot was issued forth of the hold sword in hand, 
 all armed, angry as a lion. The four knights 
 were upon their horses all armed, but no mind 
 had they come a-nigh him, for sore dreaded 
 they the huge buffets he dealt, and his hardi- 
 ment. One of them came forward before the 
 others, and it seemed him shame that they 
 might not vanquish one single knight. He 
 goeth to smite Lancelot a great stroke of his 
 sword above in the midst of his head, nor did 
 Lancelot's sword fail of its stroke, for before 
 he could draw back, Lancelot dealt him such a 
 blow as smote off all of his leg at the thigh, so 
 that he made him leave the saddlebows empty. 
 Lancelot leapt up on the destrier, and now 
 seemed him he was safer than before. The 
 three robber-knights that yet remained whole ran 
 upon him on all sides and began to press him of 
 their swords in right sore wrath. Thereupon
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 275 
 
 behold you, the knight cometh to the way that succour 
 
 goeth to the hold and saith to Messire Gawain Lancelot 
 
 and Perceval, * Now may you hear the clashing 
 
 of swords and the melly.' Therewithal the 
 
 two good knights smite horse with spur and 
 
 come thither where the three robber-knights 
 
 were assailing Lancelot. Each of the twain 
 
 smiteth his own so wrathfully that they thrust 
 
 their spears right through their bodies and bear 
 
 them to the ground dead. Howbeit the third 
 
 knight was fain to flee, but the knight that had 
 
 come to show Messire Gawain the way took 
 
 heart and hardiment from the confidence of the 
 
 good knights, and smote him as he fled so sore 
 
 that he pierced him with his spear to the heart 
 
 and toppled him to the ground dead. And the 
 
 one whose leg Lancelot had lopped off was so 
 
 trampled underfoot of the knights that he had 
 
 no life in him. 
 
 VI 
 
 When Lancelot knew Perceval and Messire 
 Gawain he made great joy of them and they of 
 him. ' Lancelot,' saith Messire Gawain, 'This 
 knight that led us hither to save your life is 
 cousin to the Poor Knight of the Waste Castle, 
 the brother of the two poor damsels that lodged 
 us so well. We will send him these horses, one 
 for the knight that shall be the messenger, and 
 the two to the lord of the Waste Castle, and 
 this hold that we have taken shall be for the 
 two damsels, and so shall we make them safe 
 all the days of their life. This, methinketh, 
 will be well.' 'Certes,' saith Perceval, <You
 
 276 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The speak of great courtesy.' Sir,' saith Lance- 
 robbers' lot, * Messire Gawain hath said, and right 
 treasure ^villingly will I grant him all his wish.' 
 'Lords,' saith the knight, 'They have in this 
 forest a hold where the knights stowed their 
 plunder, for the sake whereof they murdered 
 the passers by. If the goods remain there, 
 they will be lost, for therein is so great store 
 as might be of much worth to many folk that 
 are poverty-stricken for want thereof.' They 
 go to the hold and find right great treasure in 
 a cave underground, and rich sets of vessels 
 and rich ornaments of cloths and armours for 
 horses, that they had thrown the one over 
 another into a pit that was right broad. 
 ' Certes,' saith he, ' Right well hath it been 
 done to this evil folk that is destroyed ! ' 
 'Sir,' saith Lancelot, 'In like manner would 
 they have dealt with me and killed me if they 
 might ; wherefore no sorrow have I save of 
 the damsel that I slew, that was one of the 
 fairest dames of the world. But I slew her 
 not knowingly, for I meant rather to strike the 
 knight, but she leapt between us, like the 
 hardiest dame that saw 1 ever.' * Sirs,' saith 
 the knight, 'Perceval and Lancelot, by the 
 counsel of Messire Gawain, granted the treasure 
 to the two damsels, sisters to the Poor Knight 
 of the Waste Castle, whereupon let them send 
 for Joseus the Hermit and bid him guard the 
 treasure until they shall come hither.' And 
 Joseus said that he would do so, and is right 
 glad that the robbers of the forest are made 
 away withal, that had so often made assault
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 277 
 
 upon him. He guarded the treasure and the Perceval 
 
 hold right safely in the forest ; but the dread departeth 
 
 and the renown of the good knights that had 
 
 freed the forest went far and wide. The 
 
 knight that led the three destriers was right 
 
 joyfully received at the Waste Castle ; and 
 
 when he told the message wherewith he was 
 
 charged by Messire Gawain, the Poor Knight 
 
 and two damsels made great joy thereof. 
 
 Perceval taketh leave of Messire Gawain and 
 
 Lancelot, and saith that never will he rest 
 
 again until he shall have found his sister and 
 
 his widow mother. They durst not gainsay 
 
 him, for they know well that he is right, and 
 
 he prayeth them right sweetly that they salute 
 
 the King and Queen and all the good knights 
 
 of the court, for, please God, he will go see 
 
 them at an early day. But first he was fain to 
 
 fulfil the promise King Arthur made to his 
 
 sister, for he would not that the King should be 
 
 blamed in any place as concerning him, nor by 
 
 his default ; and he himself would have the 
 
 greater blame therein and he succoured her 
 
 not, for the matter touched him nearer than it 
 
 did King Arthur. 
 
 VII 
 
 With that the Good Knight departeth, and 
 they commend him to God, and he them in 
 like sort. Messire Gawain and Lancelot go 
 their way back toward the court of King 
 Arthur, and Perceval goeth amidst strange 
 forests until he cometh to a forest far away, 
 wherein, so it seemed him, he had never been
 
 278 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Of before. And he passed through a land that 
 Lohot's seemed him to have been laid waste, for it was 
 death all void of folk. Wild beast only seeth he 
 there, that ran through the open country. He 
 entered into a forest in this waste country, and 
 found a hermitage in the combe of a mountain. 
 He alighted without and heard that the hermit 
 was singing the service of the dead, and had 
 begun the mass with a requiem between him 
 and his clerk. He looketh and seeth a pall 
 spread upon the ground before the altar as 
 though it were over a corpse. He would not 
 enter the chapel armed, wherefore he hearkened 
 to the mass from without right reverently, and 
 showed great devotion as he that loved God 
 much and was a-dread. When the mass was 
 sung, and the hermit was disarmed of the 
 armour of Our Lord, he cometh to Perceva^ 
 and saluteth him and Perceval him again. 
 * Sir,' saith Perceval, ' For whom have you 
 done such service ? meseemed that the corpse 
 lay therewithin for whom the service was 
 ordained.' * You say truth,' saith the hermit. 
 ' I have done it for Lohot, King Arthur's son, 
 that lieth buried under this pall.' * Who, then, 
 hath slain him ? ' saith Perceval. ' That will 
 I tell you plainly,' saith the hermit. 
 
 VIII 
 
 'This wasted land about this forest where- 
 through you have come is the beginning of 
 the kingdom of L ogres. There wont to be 
 therein a Giant so big and horrible and cruel 
 that none durst won within half a league round
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 279 
 
 about, and he destroyed the land and wasted Kay's 
 it in such sort as you see. Lohot was departed treachery 
 from the land and the court of King Arthur 
 his father in quest of adventure, and by the will 
 of God arrived at this forest, and fought against 
 Logrin, right cruel as he was, and Logrin 
 against him. As it pleased God, Lohot van- 
 quished him ; but Lohot had a marvellous 
 custom : when he had slain a man, he slept 
 upon him. A knight of King Arthur's court, 
 that is called Kay the Seneschal, was come 
 peradventure into this forest of Logres. He 
 heard the Giant roar when Lohot dealt him 
 the mortal blow. Thither came he as fast as 
 he might, and found the King's son sleeping 
 upon Logrin. He drew his sword and there- 
 with cut off Lohot's head, and took the head 
 and the body and set them in a coffin of stone. 
 After that, he hacked his shield to pieces with 
 his sword, that he should not be recognised ; 
 then came he to the Giant that lay dead, and 
 so cut off his head, that was right huge and 
 hideous, and hung it at his fore saddle-bow. 
 Then went he to the court of King Arthur and 
 presented it to him. The King made great 
 joy thereof and all they of the court, and the 
 King made broad his lands right freely for that 
 he believed Kay had spoken true. I went,' 
 saith the hermit, ' on the morrow to the piece 
 of land where the Giant lay dead, as a damsel 
 came within here to tell me with right great 
 joy. I found the corpse of the Giant so big 
 that I durst not come a-nigh it. The damsel 
 led me to the coffin where the King's son was
 
 2 8o THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval lying. She asked the head of me as her 
 
 and his guerdon, and I granted it to her willingly. She 
 
 sister get j t forthwith in a coffer laden with precious 
 
 stones that was all garnished within of balsams. 
 
 After that, she helped me carry the body into 
 
 this chapel and enshroud and bury it. 
 
 IX 
 
 ' Afterwards the damsel departed, nor have I 
 never heard talk of her since, nor do I make 
 remembrance hereof for that I would King 
 Arthur should know it, nor for aught that I say 
 thereof that he should do evil to the knight ; 
 for right sore sin should I have thereof, but 
 deadly treason and disloyalty he wrought.' 
 * Sir,' saith Perceval, ' This is sore pity of the 
 King's son, that he is dead in such manner, for 
 I have heard witness that he ever waxed more 
 and more in great chivalry, and, so the King 
 knew thereof, Kay the Seneschal, that is not 
 well-loved of all folk, would lose the court for 
 ever more, or his life, so he might be taken, and 
 this would be only right and just.' Perceval 
 lay the night in the hermitage, and departed on 
 the morrow when he had heard mass. He 
 rideth through the forest as he that right gladly 
 would hear tidings of his mother, nor never 
 before hath he been so desirous thereof as is 
 he now. He heard, at right hour of noon, a 
 damsel under a tree that made greater dole than 
 ever heard he damsel make before. She held 
 her mule by the reins and was alighted a-foot 
 and set herself on her knees toward the East. 
 She stretched her hands up toward heaven and
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 281 
 
 prayed right sweetly the Saviour of the World Dindrane 
 
 and His sweet Mother that they would send prayeth 
 
 her succour betimes, for that the most dis- 
 
 counselled damsel of the world was she, and 
 
 never was alms given to damsel to counsel her 
 
 bo well bestowed as it would be upon her, for 
 
 that needs must she go to the most perilous 
 
 place that is in the world, and that, save she 
 
 might bring some one with her, never would 
 
 that she had to do be done. 
 
 Perceval drew himself up when he heard the 
 damsel bemoaning thus. He was in the shadow 
 of the forest so that she saw him not. The 
 damsel cried out all weeping, Ha, King Arthur, 
 great sin did you in forgetting to speak of my 
 business to the knight that bare away the shield 
 from your court, by whom would my mother 
 have been succoured, that now must lose her 
 castle presently save God grant counsel herein ; 
 and so unhappy am I, that I have gone through 
 all the lands of Great Britain, yet may I hear 
 no tidings of my brother, albeit they say that he 
 is the Best Knight of the world. But what 
 availeth us his knighthood, when we have neither 
 aid nor succour thereof? So much the greater 
 shame ought he to have of himself, if he love 
 his mother, as she, that is the most gentle lady 
 that liveth and the most loyal, hath hope that, 
 and he knew, he would come thither. Either 
 he is dead or he is in lands so far away that 
 none may hear tidings of him. Ha, sweet 
 Lady, Mother of Our Saviour, aid us when we
 
 282 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval may have no aid of any other ! for if my lady 
 is not mother loseth her castle, needs must we be 
 Known f or | orn wanderers in strange lands, for so have 
 her brothers been long time ; he that had the 
 most power and valour lieth in languishment, 
 the good King Fisherman that the King of 
 Castle Mortal warreth on, albeit he also is my 
 uncle, my mother's brother, and would fain 
 reave my uncle, that is his brother, of his castle 
 by his felony. Of a man so evil my lady 
 mother looketh for neither aid nor succour. 
 And the good King Pelles hath renounced his 
 kingdom for the love of his Saviour, and hath 
 entered into a hermitage. He likewise is 
 brother of my mother, and behoveth him make 
 war upon none, for the most worshipful hermit 
 is he of the world. And all they on my 
 father's side have died in arms. Eleven were 
 there of them, and my father was the twelfth. 
 Had they remained on live, well able would 
 they haA r e been to succour us, but the knight 
 that was first at the Graal hath undone us, for 
 through him our uncle fell in languishment, in 
 whom should have been our surest succour.' 
 
 XI 
 
 At this word Perceval rode forward, and 
 the damsel heareth him. She riseth up, and 
 looketh backward and seeth the knight come, 
 the shield at his neck banded argent and azure, 
 with a red cross. She clasped her two hands 
 toward heaven, and saith, 'Ha, sweet Lady 
 that didst bear the Saviour of the World, you 
 have not forgotten me, nor never may be dis-
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 283 
 
 counselled he nor she that calleth upon you Dindrane 
 
 with the heart. Here see I the knight come prayeth 
 
 of whom we shall have aid and succour, and succour 
 
 our Lord God grant him will to do His 
 
 pleasure, and lend him courage and strength 
 
 to protect us ! ' She goeth to meet him, and 
 
 holdeth his stirrup and would have kissed his 
 
 foot, but he avoideth it and crieth to her : ' 111 
 
 do you herein, damsel ! ' And therewith she 
 
 melteth in tears of weeping and prayeth him 
 
 right sweetly. * Sir,' saith she, ' Of such 
 
 pity as God had of His most sweet Mother on 
 
 that day He took His death, when He beheld 
 
 Her at the foot of the cross, have pity and 
 
 mercy of my lady mother and of me. For, 
 
 and your aid fail us, we know not to whom to 
 
 fly for rescue, for I have been told that you 
 
 are the Best Knight of the world. And for 
 
 obtaining of your help went I to King Arthur's 
 
 court. Wherefore succour us for pity's sake 
 
 and God's and for nought beside, for, so please 
 
 you, it is your duty so to do, albeit, had you 
 
 been my brother that is also such a knight as 
 
 you, whom I cannot find, I might have called 
 
 upon you of a greater right. Sir,' saith she, ' Do 
 
 you remember you of the brachet you had at 
 
 the court waiting for you until such time as you 
 
 should come for the shield, and that went away 
 
 with you, how he would never make joy nor 
 
 know any save me alone ? By this know I 
 
 well that if you knew the soreness of our need 
 
 you would succour us. But King Arthur, that 
 
 should have prayed you thereof, forgat it.' 
 
 ' Damsel,' saith he, ' So much hath he done
 
 28 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The that he hath not failed of his covenant with 
 h'y you, for he sent for me by the two best knights 
 
 ^lotri ^ ^* s court > anc ^ so ^ ma y speed, so much will 
 I do herein as that God and he shall be well 
 pleased thereof.' 
 
 XII 
 
 The damsel had right great joy of the knight 
 that he should grant her his aid, but she knew 
 not he was her brother, or otherwise she would 
 have doubled her joy. Perceval knoweth well 
 that she is his sister, but he would not yet dis- 
 cover himself and manifest his pity outwardly. 
 He helpeth the damsel to mount again and they 
 rode on together. ' Sir,' saith the damsel, 
 1 Needs must I go to-night by myself to the 
 Grave-yard Perilous.' 'Wherefore go you 
 thither ? ' saith Perceval. Sir,' saith she, * I 
 have made vow thereof, and moreover a holy 
 hermit hath told me that the knight that warreth 
 upon us may not be overcome of no knight, save 
 I bring him not some of the cloth wherewith 
 the altar in the chapel of the Grave-yard 
 Perilous is covered. The cloth is of the 
 most holiest, for our Lord God was covered 
 therewith in the Holy Sepulchre, on the third 
 day when He came back from death to life. 
 Nor none may enter the holy grave-yard that 
 bringeth another with him, wherefore behoveth 
 me go by myself, and may God save my life 
 this night, for the place is sore perilous, and 
 so ought I greatly to hate him that hath pro- 
 cured me this dolour and travail. Sir,' saith 
 she, ' You will go your way toward the castle
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 285 
 
 of Camelot : there is the Widow Lady my The 
 mother, that awaiteth the return and the succour Grave- 
 of the Good Knight, and may you remember to p^-joye 
 succour and aid us when you shall see how sore 
 is our need of succour.' 
 
 XIII 
 
 ' Damsel,' saith Perceval, ' So God allow me 
 I will aid you to the utmost of my power.' 
 ' Sir,' saith she, ' See, this is my way, that is 
 but little frequented, for I tell you that no knight 
 durst tread therein without great peril and great 
 dread. And our Lord God have your body in 
 keeping, for mine own this night shall be in 
 sore jeopardy and hazard.' Perceval departeth 
 from the damsel, his sister, and hath right great 
 pity for that she goeth in so perilous place all 
 alone. Natheless would he not forbid her, for 
 he knew well that she might not go thither with 
 him nor with other, sith that such was the 
 custom of the grave-yard that twain might not 
 pass the entrance, wherefore needs must one 
 remain without. Perceval was not willing that 
 his sister should break her vow, for never none 
 of his lineage did at any time disloyalty nor base 
 deed knowingly, nor failed of nought that they 
 had in covenant, save only the King of Castle 
 Mortal, from whom he had as much evil as he 
 had good of the others. 
 
 XIV 
 
 The damsel goeth her way all alone and all 
 forlorn toward the grave-yard and the deep of 
 the forest, all dark and shadowy. She hath
 
 286 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The ridden until the sun was set and the night 
 knights' draweth nigh. She looketh before her and 
 ghosts gggth a cr0SS) high and wide and thick. And 
 on this cross was the figure of Our Lord graven, 
 whereof is she greatly comforted. She draweth 
 nigh the cross, and so kisseth and adoreth it, and 
 prayeth the Saviour of the world that was nailed 
 on Holy Rood that He would bring her forth 
 of the burial-ground with honour. The cross 
 was at the entrance of the grave-yard, that was 
 right spacious, for, from such time as the land 
 was first peopled of folk, and that knights began 
 to seek adventure by the forest, not a knight 
 had died in the forest, that was full great of 
 breadth and length, but his body was borne 
 thither, nor might never knight there be buried 
 that had not received baptism and had repented 
 him not of his sins at his death. 
 
 XV 
 
 Thereinto entered the damsel all alone, and 
 found great multitude of tombs and coffins. Nor 
 none need wonder whether she had shuddering 
 and fear, for such place must needs be dreadful to 
 a lonely damsel, there where lay so many knights 
 that had been slain in arms. Josephus the good 
 clerk witnesseth us that within the grave-yard 
 might no evil spirit meddle, for that Saint 
 Andrew the apostle had blessed it with his 
 hand. But never might no hermit remain 
 within for the evil things that appeared each 
 night all round about, that took the shapes of the 
 knights that were dead in the forest, whereof 
 the bodies lay not in the blessed burial-ground.
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 287 
 
 The 
 altai 
 cloth 
 
 XVI 
 
 altar- 
 
 The damsel beholdeth their sepulchres all FA, z. 
 round about the grave-yard whereinto she was 
 come. She seeth them surrounded of knights, 
 all black, and spears had they withal, and came 
 one against another, and made such uproar and 
 alarm as it seemed all the forest resounded 
 thereof. The most part held swords all red as 
 of fire, and ran either upon other, and gashed 
 one another's hands and feet and nose and face. 
 And great was the clashing they made, but they 
 could not come a-nigh the grave-yard. The 
 damsel seeth them, and hath such affright thereof 
 that she nigh fell to the ground in a swoon. 
 The mule whereon she sate draweth wide his 
 nostrils and goeth in much fear. The damsel 
 signeth her of the cross and commendeth her to 
 the Saviour and to His sweet Mother. She 
 looketh before her to the head of the grave-yard, 
 and seeth the chapel, small and ancient. She 
 smiteth her mule with her whip, and cometh 
 thitherward and alighteth. She entered there- 
 within and found a great brightness of light. 
 Within was an image of Our Lady, to whom 
 she prayeth right sweetly that She will preserve 
 her senses and her life and enable her to depart 
 in safety from this perilous place. She seeth 
 above the altar the most holy cloth for the 
 which she was come thither, that was right 
 ancient, and a smell came thereof so sweet and 
 glorious that no sweetness of the world might 
 equal it. The damsel cometh toward the altar 
 thinking to take the cloth, but it goeth up into
 
 288 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Dindrane the air as if the wind had lifted it, and was 
 
 her so high that she might not reach it above an 
 
 prayer anc j ent crucifix that was there within. * Ha, 
 
 God ! ' saith the damsel, ' It is for my sin and 
 
 my disloyalty that this most holy cloth thus 
 
 draweth itself away from me ! ' 
 
 XVII 
 
 * Fair Father God, never did I evil to none, 
 nor never did I shame nor sinned deadly in 
 myself, nor never wrought against your will, so 
 far as in me lay, but rather do I serve you and 
 love and fear you and your sweet Mother ; and 
 all the tribulation I receive, accept I in patience 
 for your love, for well I know that such is your 
 pleasure, nor have I no will to set myself 
 against nought that pleaseth you. 
 
 XVIII 
 
 * When it shall please you, you will release 
 me and my mother of the grief and tribulation 
 wherein we are. For well you know that they 
 have reaved her of her castles by wrong, and 
 of her land, for that she is a Widow Lady 
 without help. Lord, you who have all the 
 world at your mercy and do your commandment 
 in all things, grant me betimes to hear tidings 
 of my brother and he be on live, for sore need 
 have we of him. And so lend force to the 
 knight and power against all our enemies, that 
 for your love and for pity is fain to succour 
 and aid my mother that is sore discounselled. 
 Lord, well might it beseem you to remember 
 of your pity and the sweetness that is in you,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 289 
 
 and of compassion that she hath been un- She is 
 
 righteously disherited, and that no succour nor answered 
 
 aid nor counsel hath she, save of you alone. 
 
 You are her affiance and her succour, and 
 
 therefore ought you to remember that the good 
 
 knight Joseph of Abarimacie, that took down 
 
 your Body when it hung upon the rood, was 
 
 her own uncle. Better loved he to take down 
 
 your Body than all the gold and all the fee that 
 
 Pilate might give him. Lord, good right of 
 
 very truth had he so to do, for he took you in 
 
 his arms beside the rood, and laid your Body in 
 
 the holy sepulchre, wherein were you covered 
 
 of the sovran cloth for the which have I come 
 
 in hither. Lord, grant it be your pleasure 
 
 that I may have it, for love of the knight by 
 
 whom it was set in this chapel ; sith that I 
 
 am of his lineage it ought well to manifest 
 
 itself in this sore need, so it come according 
 
 to your pleasure.' Forthwith the cloth came 
 
 down above the altar, and she straightway found 
 
 taken away therefrom as much as it pleased Our 
 
 Lord she should have. Josephus telleth us of 
 
 a truth, that never did none enter into the 
 
 chapel that might touch the cloth save only 
 
 this one damsel. She set her face to it and 
 
 her mouth or ever the cloth removed. 
 
 XIX 
 
 Thereafter, she took the piece that God 
 would and set it near herself full worshipfully, 
 but still the stour went on of the evil spirits 
 round about the church-yard, and they dealt 
 one another blows so sore that all the forest
 
 2QO THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A Voice resounded thereof, and it seemed that it was all 
 set on fire of the flame that issued from them. 
 Great fear would the damsel have had of them, 
 had she not comforted herself in God and in 
 His dear, sweet Mother, and the most holy 
 cloth that was within there. A Voice appeared 
 upon the stroke of midnight from above the 
 chapel, and speaketh to the souls whereof the 
 bodies lie within the grave-yard : ' How soi e 
 loss hath befallen you of late, and all other 
 whose bodies lie in other hallowed church-yards 
 by the forests of this kingdom ! For the good 
 King Fisherman is dead that made every day 
 our service be done in the most holy chapel 
 there where the most Holy Graal every day 
 appeared, and where the Mother of God abode 
 from the Saturday until the Monday that the 
 service was finished. And now hath the King 
 of Castle Mortal seized the castle in such 
 sort that never sithence hath the Holy Graal 
 appeared, and all the other hallows are hidden, 
 so that none knoweth what hath become of 
 the priests that served in the chapel, nor the 
 twelve ancient knights, nor the damsels that 
 were therein. And you, damsel, that are 
 within, have no affiance in the aid of strange 
 knight in this need, for succoured may you 
 never be save of your brother only ! ' 
 
 XX 
 
 With that the Voice is still, and a wailing 
 and a lamentation goeth up from the bodies 
 that lay in the church-yard, so dolorous that 
 no man is there in the world but should have
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 291 
 
 pity thereof, and all the evil spirits that were above the 
 
 without departed groaning and making so mighty chapel 
 
 jproar at their going away that it seemed all 
 
 the earth trembled. The damsel heard the 
 
 tidings of her uncle that was dead, and fell on 
 
 the ground in a swoon, and when she raised 
 
 herself, took on to lament and cried : ' Ha, 
 
 God ! Now have we lost the most comfort 
 
 and the best friend that we had, and hereof am 
 
 I again discomforted that I may not be succoured 
 
 in this my next need by the Good Knight of 
 
 whom I thought to have succour and aid, and 
 
 that was so fain to render it. Now shall I 
 
 know not what to ask of him, for he would 
 
 grant it right willingly, and may God be as 
 
 pleased with him thereof as if he had done 
 
 it.' The damsel was in sore misdoubting and 
 
 dismay, for she knew not who the knight was, 
 
 and great misgiving had she of her uncle's death 
 
 and right sore sorrow. She was in the chapel 
 
 until it was day, and then commended herself 
 
 to God and departed and mounted on her mule 
 
 and issued forth of the church-yard full speed, 
 
 all alone. 
 
 XXI 
 
 The story saith that the damsel went her 
 way toward her mother's castle as straight as 
 she might, but sore dismayed was she of the 
 Voice that had told her she might not be 
 succoured save of her brother alone. She 
 hath ridden so far of her journeys that she is 
 come to the Valley of Camelot, and seeth her 
 mother's castle that was surrounded of great
 
 292 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Dindrane rivers, and seeth Perceval, that was alighted 
 joineth un der the shadow of a tree at the top of the 
 
 Perceval f orest j n or d er that he might behold his mother's 
 castle, whence he went forth squire what time 
 he slew the Knight of the Red Shield. When 
 he had looked well at the castle and the country 
 round about, much pleasure had he thereof, and 
 mounted again forthwith. Thereupon, behold 
 you, the damsel cometh. Sir,' saith she, 
 ' In sore travail and jeopardy have I been 
 sithence that last I saw you, and tidings have 
 I heard as bad as may be, and right grievous 
 for my mother and myself. For King Fisher- 
 man my uncle is dead, and another of my 
 uncles, the King of Castle Mortal, hath seized 
 his castle, albeit my lady mother ought rather 
 to have it, or I, or my brother.' ' Is it true,' 
 saith Perceval, ' that he is dead ? ' ' Yea, 
 certes, Sir, I know it of a truth.' ' So help 
 me God ! ' saith he, ' This misliketh me right 
 sore. I thought not that he would die so soon, 
 for I have not been to see him of a long time.' 
 
 XXII 
 
 ' Sir,' saith she, * I am much discomforted as 
 concerning you, for I have likewise been told 
 that no force nor aid of any knight may avail to 
 succour nor aid me from this day forward save 
 my brother's help alone. Wherefore, and it be 
 so, we have lost all, for my lady mother hath 
 respite to be in her castle only until the fifteenth 
 day from to-day, and I know not where to seek 
 my brother, and the day is so nigh as you hear. 
 Now behoveth us do the best we may and
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 293 
 
 abandon this castle betimes, nor know I any The 
 refuge that we now may have save only King Widow 
 Pelles in the hermitage. I would fain that my La " v 
 lady mother were there, for he would not fail 
 us.' Perceval is silent, and hath great pity in 
 his heart of this that the damsel saith. She 
 followeth him weeping, and pointeth out to him 
 the Valleys of Camelot and the castles that were 
 shut in by combes and mountains, and the broad 
 meadow-lands and the forest that girded them 
 about. Sir,' saith she, All this hath the Lord 
 of the Moors reaved of my lady mother, and 
 nought coveteth he so much as to have this 
 castle, and have it he will, betimes.' 
 
 XXIII 
 
 When they had ridden until that they drew 
 nigh the castle, the Lady was at the windows 
 of the hall and knew her daughter. ' Ha, 
 God! ' saith the Lady, * I see there my daughter 
 coming, and a knight with her. Fair Father 
 God, grant of your pleasure that it be my son, 
 for and it be not he, I have lost my castle and 
 my heirs are disherited.' Perceval cometh 
 nigh the castle in company with his sister, and 
 knoweth again the chapel that stood upon four 
 columns of marble between the forest and the 
 castle, there where his father told him how 
 much ought he to love good knights, and that 
 none earthly thing might be of greater worth, 
 and how none might know yet who lay in the 
 coffin until such time as the Best Knight of the 
 world should come thither, but that then should 
 it be known. Perceval would fain have passed 
 
 vol. 1. T
 
 294 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval by the chapel, but the damsel saith to him : 
 is known i Sir, no knight passeth hereby save he go first 
 to see the coffin within the chapel.' He 
 alighteth and setteth the damsel to the ground, 
 and layeth down his spear and shield and 
 cometh toward the tomb, that was right fair 
 and rich. He set his hand above it. So soon 
 as he came nigh, the sepulchre openeth on one 
 side, so that one saw him that was within the 
 coffin. The damsel falleth at his feet for joy. 
 The Lady had a custom such that every time 
 a knight stopped at the coffin she made the 
 five ancient knights that she had with her in the 
 castle accompany her, wherein they would 
 never fail her, and bring her as far as the 
 chapel. So soon as she saw the coffin open 
 and the joy her daughter made, she knew that 
 it was her son, and ran to him and embraced 
 him and kissed him and began to make the 
 greatest joy that ever lady made. 
 
 XXIV 
 
 'Now know I well,' saith she, 'that our 
 Lord God hath not forgotten me. Sith that 
 I have my son again, the tribulations and the 
 wrongs that have been done me grieve me 
 nought any more. Sir,' saith she to her son, 
 * Now is it well known and proven that you are 
 the Best Knight of the world ! For otherwise 
 never would the coffin have opened, nor would 
 any have known who he is that you now see 
 openly.' She maketh her chaplain take certain 
 letters that were sealed with gold in the coffin. 
 He looketh thereat and readeth, and then saith
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 295 
 
 that these letters witness of him that lieth in the The 
 coffin that he was one of them that helped to tomb 
 un-nail Our Lord from the cross. They P enetfi 
 looked beside him and found the pincers all 
 bloody wherewith the nails were drawn, but 
 they might not take them away, nor the body, 
 nor the coffin, according as Josephus telleth us, 
 for as soon as Perceval was forth of the chapel, 
 the coffin closed again and joined together even 
 as it was before. The Widow Lady led her 
 son with right great joy into her castle, and 
 recounted to him all the shame that had been 
 done her, and also how Messire Gawain had 
 made safe the castle for a year by his good 
 knighthood. 
 
 XXV 
 
 * Fair son,' saith she, 'now is the term drawn 
 nigh when I should have lost my castle and you 
 had not come. But now know I well that it 
 shall be safe-guarded of you. He that covet- 
 eth this castle is one of the most outrageous 
 knights on live. And he hath reaved me of 
 my land and the Valleys of Camelot without 
 reasonable occasion. But, please God, you 
 will well repair the harm he hath done you, 
 for nought claim I any longer of the land since 
 you are come. But so avenge your shame as 
 to increase your honour, for none ought to allow 
 his right to be minished of an evil man, and 
 the mischiefs that have been done me for that 
 I had no aid, let them not wax cold in you, for 
 a shame done to one valiant and strong ought 
 not to wax cold in him, but rankle and prick
 
 296 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perce- in him, so ought he to have his enemies in 
 
 *al's remembrance without making semblant, but so 
 
 mother muc ^ as j^ gj^u snow [ n his cheer and making 
 
 semblant and his menaces, so much ought he to 
 make good in deed when he shall come in 
 place. For one cannot do too much hurt to 
 an enemy, save only one is willing to let him 
 be for God's sake. But truth it is that the 
 scripture saith, that one ought not to do evil 
 to one's enemies, but pray God that He amend 
 them. I would fain that our enemies were such 
 that they might amend toward us, and that they 
 would do as much good to us without harming 
 themselves as they have done evil, on condition 
 that my anger and yours were forgone against 
 them. Mine own anger I freely forbear against 
 them so far forth as concerneth myself, for no 
 need have I to wish evil to none, and Solomon 
 telleth how the sinner that curseth other sinner 
 curseth himself likewise. 
 
 XXVI 
 
 ' Fair son, this castle is yours, and this land 
 round about whereof I have been reft ought 
 to be yours of right, for it falleth to you on 
 behalf of your father and me. Wherefore send 
 to the Lord of the Moors that hath reft it from 
 me, that he render it to you. I make no 
 further claim, for I pass it on to you ; for 
 nought have I now to do with any land save 
 only so much as will be enough wherein to bury 
 my body when I die, nor shall I now live much 
 longer since King Fisherman my brother is 
 dead, whereof right sorrowful am I at heart,
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 297 
 
 and still more sorrowful should I be were it The 
 not for your coming. And, son, I tell you Lord 
 plainly that you have great blame of his death, JL "* e 
 for you are the knight through whom he fell 
 first into languishment, for now at last I know 
 well that and if you had afterwards gone back 
 and so made the demand that you made not 
 at the first, he would have come back to health. 
 But our Lord God willed it so to be, where- 
 fore well beseemeth us to yield to His will and 
 pleasure.' 
 
 XXVII 
 
 Perceval hath heard his mother, but right 
 little hath he answered her, albeit greatly is he 
 pleased with whatsoever she hath said. His 
 face is to-flushed of hardiment, and courage hath 
 taken hold on him. His mother looketh at 
 him right fainly, and hath him disarmed and 
 apparelled in a right rich robe. So comely a 
 knight was he that in all the world might not be 
 found one of better seeming nor better shapen 
 of body. The Lord of the Moors, that made 
 full certain of having his mother's castle, knew 
 of Perceval's coming. He was not at all dis- 
 mayed in semblant, nor would he stint to ride 
 by fell nor forest, and every day he weened in 
 his pride that the castle should be his own at 
 the hour and the term he had set thereof. One 
 of the five knights of the Widow Lady was one 
 day gone into the Lonely Forest after hart and 
 hind, and had taken thereof at his will. He 
 was returning back to the castle and the hunts- 
 men with him, when the Lord of the Moors
 
 298 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 A knight met him and told him he had done great 
 
 slain hardiment in shooting with the bow in the 
 
 forest, and the knight made answer that the 
 
 forest was not his of right, but the Lady's of 
 
 Camelot and her son's that had repaired thither. 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 The Lord of the Moors waxed wroth. He 
 held a sword in his hand and thrust him there- 
 with through the body and slew him. The 
 knight was borne dead to the castle of Camelot 
 before the Widow Lady and her son. ' Fair 
 son,' saith the Widow Lady, ' More presents 
 of such-like kind the Lord of the Moors 
 sendeth me than I would. Never may he be 
 satisfied of harming my land and shedding the 
 blood of the bodies of my knights. Now may 
 you well know how many a hurt he hath done 
 me sithence that your father hath been dead and 
 you were no longer at the castle, sith that this 
 hath he done me even now that you are here. 
 You have the name of Perceval on this account, 
 that tofore you were born, he had begun to 
 reave your father of the Valleys of Camelot, 
 for your father was an old knight and all his 
 brethren were dead, and therefore he gave you 
 this name in baptism, for that he would remind 
 you of the mischief done to him and to you, 
 and that you might help to retrieve it and you 
 should have the power.' The Dame maketh 
 shroud the knight, for whom she is full sorrow- 
 ful, and on the morrow hath mass sung and 
 burieth him. Perceval made arm two of the 
 old knights with him, then issued forth of the
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 299 
 
 castle and entered the great dark forest. He Perceval 
 rode until he came before a castle, and met five taketh 
 knights that issued forth all armed. He asked P ris ners 
 whose men they were. They answer, the 
 Lord's of the Moors, and that he goeth seek 
 the son of the Widow Lady that is in the 
 forest. * If we may deliver him up to our 
 lord, good guerdon shall we have thereof.' 
 ' By my faith,' saith Perceval, * You have not 
 far to seek. I am here ! ' 
 
 XXIX 
 
 Perceval smiteth his horse of his spurs and 
 cometh to the first in such sort that he passeth 
 his spear right through his body and beareth 
 him to the ground dead. The other two 
 knights each smote his man so that they 
 wounded them in the body right sore. The 
 other two would fain have fled, but Perceval 
 preventeth them, and they gave themselves up 
 prisoners for fear of death. He bringeth all 
 four to the castle of Camelot and presenteth 
 them to his lady mother. ' Lady,' saith he, 
 * see here the quittance for your knight that 
 was slain, and the fifth also remaineth lying on 
 the piece of ground shent in like manner as 
 was your own.' * Fair son,' saith she, * I 
 should have better loved peace after another 
 sort, and so it might be.' ' Lady,' saith he, 
 ' Thus is it now. One ought to make war 
 against the warrior, and be at peace with the 
 peaceable.' The knights are put in prison. 
 The tidings are come to the Lord of the 
 Moors that the son of the Widow Lady hath
 
 300 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 More slain one of his knights and carried off four to 
 prisoners prison. Thereof hath he right great wrath at 
 heart, and sweareth and standeth to it that never 
 will he be at rest until he shall have either 
 taken or slain him, and that, so there were any 
 knight in his land that would deliver him up, 
 he would give him one of the best castles 
 in his country. The more part are keen to 
 take Perceval. Eight came for that intent 
 before him all armed in the forest of Camelot, 
 and hunted and drove wild deer in the purlieus 
 of the forest so that they of the castle saw 
 them. 
 
 XXX 
 
 Perceval was in his mother's chapel, where 
 he heard mass ; and when the mass was sung, 
 his sister said : 'Fair brother, see here the 
 most holy cloth that I brought from the chapel 
 of the Grave-yard Perilous. Kiss it and touch 
 it with your face, for a holy hermit told me 
 that never should our land be conquered back 
 until such time as you should have hereof.' 
 Perceval kisseth it, then toucheth his eyes and 
 face therewith. Afterward he gceth to arm 
 him, and the four knights with him ; then he 
 issueth forth of the chamber and mounteth on 
 his horse, then goeth out of the gateway like a 
 lion unchained. He sitteth on a tall horse all 
 covered. He cometh nigh the eight knights 
 that were all armed, man and horse, and asketh 
 them what folk they be and what they seek, 
 and they say that they are enemies of the 
 Widow Lady and her son. 'Then you do I
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 301 
 
 defy ! ' saith Perceval. He cometh to them a Perceval 
 
 great run, and the four knights with him, and taketh 
 
 each one overthroweth his own man so roughly . e l r 
 
 that either he is wounded in his body or maimed 
 
 of arm or leg. The rest held the melly to the 
 
 utmost they might endure. Perceval made take 
 
 them and hring to the castle, and the other five 
 
 that they had overthrown. The Lord of the 
 
 Moors was come to shoot with a bow, and 
 
 he heard the noise of the knights, and cometh 
 
 thitherward a great gallop all armed. ' Sir,' 
 
 saith one of the old knights to Perceval, ' Look ! 
 
 here is the Lord of the Moors coming, that 
 
 hath reft your mother of her land and slain her 
 
 men. Of him will it be good to take vengeance. 
 
 See, how boldly he cometh.' Perceval looketh 
 
 on him as he that loveth him not, and cometh 
 
 toward him as hard as his horse may carry 
 
 him, and smiteth him right through the breast 
 
 so strongly that he beareth to the ground him 
 
 and his horse together all in a heap. He 
 
 alighteth to the ground and draweth his sword. 
 
 How ? ' saith the Lord of the Moors, Would 
 
 you then slay me and put me in worse plight 
 
 than I am ? ' 'By my head,' saith Perceval, 
 
 ' No, not so swiftly, but I will slay you enough, 
 
 betimes ! ' * So it seemeth you,' saith the 
 
 Lord of the Moors, * But it shall not be yet ! ' 
 
 He leapeth up on his feet and runneth on 
 
 Perceval, sword drawn, as one that fain would 
 
 harm him if he might. But Perceval defendeth 
 
 himself as good knight should, and giveth such 
 
 a buffet at the outset as smiteth off his arm 
 
 together with his sword. The knights that
 
 302 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 Perceval came after fled back all discomfited when they 
 wreaketh saw their lord wounded. And Perceval made 
 lift him on a horse and carry him to the castle 
 and presenteth him to his mother. ' Lady,' 
 saith he, See here the Lord of the Moors ! 
 Well might you expect him eftsoons, sith that 
 you were to have yielded him up your castle 
 the day after to-morrow ! ' 
 i 
 
 XXXI 
 
 ' Lady,' saith the Lord of the Moors, ' Your 
 son hath wounded me and taken my knights 
 and myself likewise. I will yield you up your 
 castle albeit I hold it mine as of right, on 
 condition you cry me quit.' ' And who shall 
 repay her,' saith Perceval, 'for the shame that 
 you have done her, for her knights that you have 
 slain, whereof never had you pity ? Now, so 
 help me God, if she have mercy or pity upon 
 you, never hereafter will I trouble to come to 
 her aid how sore soever may be her need. 
 Such pity and none other as you have had for 
 her and my sister will I have for you. Our 
 Lord God commanded in both the Old Law 
 and the New, that justice should be done upon 
 man-slayers and traitors, and justice will I do 
 upon you that His commandment be not trans- 
 gressed.' He hath a great vat made ready in 
 the midst of the court, and maketh the eleven 
 knights be brought. He maketh their heads be 
 stricken off into the vat and bleed therein as 
 much blood as might come from them, and then 
 made the heads and the bodies be drawn forth so
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 303 
 
 that nought was there but blood in the vat. a bloody 
 After that, he made disarm the Lord of the venge- 
 Moors and be brought before the vat wherein ance 
 was great abundance of blood. He made bind 
 his feet and his hands right strait, and after that 
 saith : ' Never might you be satisfied of the 
 blood of the knights of my lady mother, now 
 will I satisfy you of the blood of your own 
 knights ! ' He maketh hang him by the feet in 
 the vat, so that his head were in the blood as 
 far as the shoulders, and so maketh him be held 
 there until that he was drowned and quenched. 
 After that, he made carry his body and the 
 bodies of the other knights and their heads, and 
 made them be cast into an ancient charnel that 
 was beside an old chapel in the forest, and the 
 vat together with the blood made he be cast into 
 the river, so that the water thereof was all 
 bloody. The tidings came to the castles that 
 the son of the Widow Lady had slain the Lord 
 of the Moors and the best of his knights. 
 Thereof were they in sore misgiving, and the 
 most part said that the like also would he do to 
 them save they held themselves at his command- 
 ment. They brought him the keys of all the 
 castles that had been reft of his mother, and all 
 the knights that had before renounced their 
 allegiance returned thereunto and pledged them- 
 selves to be at his will for dread of death. All 
 the land was assured in safety, nor was there 
 nought to trouble the Lady's joy save only that 
 King Fisherman her brother was dead, whereof 
 she was right sorrowful and sore afflicted.
 
 30 4 THE HIGH HISTORY OF 
 
 The xxxii 
 
 fthe ^ ne ^ a y l ^ e Widow Lady sate at meat, and 
 Qgj there was' great plenty of knights in the hall. 
 Percival sate him beside his sister. Thereupon, 
 behold you the Damsel of the Car that came 
 with the other two damsels before the Widow 
 Lady and her son, and saluted them right nobly. 
 * Damsel,' saith Perceval, * Good adventure may 
 you have ! ' ' Sir,' saith she, ' You have speeded 
 right well of your business here, now go speed 
 it elsewhere, for thereof is the need right sore. 
 King Hermit, that is your mother's brother, 
 sendeth you word that, and you come not with 
 haste into the land that was King Fisherman's 
 your uncle, the New Law that God hath stab- 
 lished will be sore brought low. For the King 
 of Castle Mortal, that hath seized the land and 
 castle, hath made be cried throughout all the 
 country how all they that would fain maintain 
 the Old Law and abandon the New shall have 
 protection of him and counsel and aid, and they 
 that will not shall be destroyed and outlawed.' 
 'Ha, fair son,' saith the Widow Lady, 'Now 
 have you heard the great disloyalty of the evil 
 man that is my brother, whereof am I right 
 sorrowful, for that he is of my kindred.' 
 ' Lady,' saith Perceval, 'Your brother nor my 
 uncle is he no longer, sith that he denieth God ! 
 Rather is he our mortal enemy that we ought 
 of right to hate more than any stranger ! ' 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 Fair son,' saith the Widow Lady, * I pray 
 and beseech you that the Law of the Saviour
 
 4fe 
 THE HOLY GRAAL 305 
 
 be not set aside in forgetfulness and neglect p 
 
 there where you may exalt it, for better Lord va i> s 
 
 in no wise may you serve, nor one that better mother's 
 
 knoweth how to bestow fair guerdon. Fair son, counsel 
 
 none may be good knight that serveth Him not 
 
 and loveth Him. Take heed that you be swift 
 
 in His service nor delay not for no intent, but be 
 
 ever at His commandment alike at eventide as in the 
 
 morning, so shall you not bely your lineage. And 
 
 the Lord God grant you good intent therein and 
 
 good will to go on even as you have begun.' The 
 
 Widow Lady, that much loved her son, riseth up 
 
 from the tables, and all the other knights, and 
 
 seemeth it that she is Lady of her land in such sort 
 
 as that never was she better. But full often doth 
 
 she give thanks to the Saviour of the World with 
 
 her whole heart, and prayeth Him of His pleasure 
 
 grant her son length of life for the amendment 
 
 both of soul and body. Perceval was with his 
 
 mother of a long space, and with his sister, and 
 
 was much feared and honoured of all the knights 
 
 of the land, alike for his great wisdom and 
 
 great pains-taking, as well as for the valour of 
 
 his knighthood. 
 
 EKD OF vol. 1 
 
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