Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur. Sir Thomas Malory

you and prove that you do this lady wrong.”

      “We will not,” they said. “If we do battle, the two of us will fight together with one knight. Therefore, if you wish to fight us so, we will be ready at whatever time you choose. If you beat us in battle, then she may have her lands back.”

      “You say well,” said Sir Uwain. “Therefore, make yourselves ready, and be here tomorrow morning ready to fight over this lady’s rights.” So it was agreed on both sides that there would be no treason, and the knights parted and went to make themselves ready.

      CIV.28

      That night Sir Uwain was shown great hospitality, and in the morning he arose early and heard mass and broke his fast, and then rode onto the plain; waiting outside the gates were the two brothers. They ran together fiercely so that Sir Edward and Sir Hugh broke their spears upon Sir Uwain. Sir Uwain smote Sir Edward so that he fell off his horse, but his spear did not break. Then he spurred his horse and came at Sir Hugh and unhorsed him.

      But they soon recovered and positioned their shields and drew out their swords, telling Sir Uwain to alight and fight to the utter end. Sir Uwain adroitly dismounted and positioned his shield in front of him and drew his sword. They thrust together and each gave the other great blows.

      These two brothers wounded Sir Uwain so seriously that the Lady of the Rock thought that he would die. They fought together five hours like men outraged beyond reason, and finally Sir Uwain smote Sir Edward upon the helmet with such a stroke that his sword carved down to his neck bone. Then Sir Hugh lost his courage, but Sir Uwain pressed his advantage to try and slay him. Sir Hugh then kneeled down and yielded to Sir Uwain, and he courteously received his sword, took him by the hand, and they went into the castle together.

      Then the Lady of the Rock was very glad, while Sir Hugh made great sorrow for his brother’s death. This lady had her lands restored to her, and Sir Hugh was commanded to be at King Arthur’s court at the next feast of Pentecost. Sir Uwain dwelt with this lady almost half a year, for it was a long time before he was healed of his many wounds.

      So when it drew near to the day when Sir Gawain, Sir Marhalt, and Sir Uwain had agreed to meet at the crossroads, each of the knights headed there in order to keep the promise that they had made. Sir Marhalt and Sir Uwain brought their damsels with them, but Sir Gawain had lost his damsel.

      So at the end of twelve months, all three knights met at the fountain with their damsels, but the damsel that Sir Gawain had could say little good of him. So they departed from the damsels and rode through a great forest, and there they met with a messenger coming from King Arthur’s court who had been seeking them for almost twelve months throughout England, Wales, and Scotland; he had been ordered that if he ever should find Sir Gawain and Sir Uwain he should quickly bring them back to court.

      CIV.29

      They were all glad, and asked Sir Marhalt to ride with them to the king’s court.

      Within twelve days they came to Camelot, and the king was very glad of their coming, as was all the court. The king then made them swear upon a book to tell him all the adventures that had befallen them in the previous twelve months, and so they did. Marhalt was well-known, for the knights he had defeated were there, and he was accounted one of the best knights living.

      At the next feast of Pentecost the Damsel of the Lake came, bringing with her Sir Pelleas, and there was great jousting at the high feast. Out of all the knights who jousted, Sir Pelleas won the prize, and Sir Marhalt was second. Sir Pelleas was so strong that there were only a few knights who could land a serious blow on him with a spear.

      At the next feast, Sir Pelleas and Sir Marhalt were made knights of the Round Table, for there were two empty seats, as two of the knights had been slain that year. King Arthur had great joy of Sir Pelleas and Sir Marhalt; Sir Pelleas had no love for Sir Gawain, but spared him on account of his love for the king. But oftentimes at jousts and tournaments Sir Pelleas defeated Sir Gawain, as it tells in the French book.

      Many days later, Sir Tristram fought with Sir Marhalt on an island; there they fought a great battle, but in the end, Sir Tristram slew him. Sir Tristram was so severely wounded that it seemed he would not recover, and he stayed in a nunnery for half a year.

      Sir Pelleas was a worshipful knight, and later he became one of the knights who achieved the Holy Grail. The Damsel of the Lake worked her magic so that he never had ado with Sir Lancelot du Lake; whenever Sir Lancelot was at any joust or tournament, she would not allow Sir Pelleas to be there that day unless he fought on the side of Sir Lancelot.

      Here ends this tale, as the French book records it from the marriage of King Uther to the reign of King Arthur and the many battles that he fought. This book ends at the moment when Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram come to court. He who wishes to know more, let him seek out other books of Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram.

      This was written by a knight-prisoner, Sir Thomas Malory; may God send him swift deliverance. Amen. EXPLICIT.

      16 The Challenge from Rome

      After King Arthur had married Queen Guenevere and the Round Table was complete, Arthur and his marvelous knights had vanquished most of his enemies. Soon after this, Sir Lancelot du Lake and Sir Tristram came to court.

      C V.1; V II

      Then the Roman Emperor Lucius sent messengers to Arthur commanding him to pay the duty that his ancestors paid to Rome before him. When King Arthur understood what they were saying, he looked at the messengers furiously with his gray eyes.

      Then the messengers were afraid, and stayed kneeling, daring not to arise, so afraid of his grim countenance were they. Then one of the messengers spoke aloud, saying, “Crowned king, do not punish the messengers, for we have come at the commandment of our lord, as servants should.”

      Then the conqueror spoke. “You faint-hearted and cowardly knights, why do you fear my countenance? There are men in this hall who, if they were angry, you would not dare look in their eyes, even for a dukedom of lands.”

      “Sir,” said one of the senators, “so help me Christ, I was so afraid when I looked at your face that my heart would not allow me to speak my message. But since I intend to complete my errand: the Emperor Lucius of Rome greets you well, and commands you upon certain pain that you send to him the tribute of this realm which your father Uther Pendragon paid, or else he will bereave you of all the realms that you possess.”

      “You speak well,” said Arthur, “but for all your brave words, I will not reply over-hastily. Therefore, you and your fellows shall stay here seven days while I shall call to council my most trusty knights and dukes and kings and earls and barons, and my wisest advisors. When we have conferred you shall have your answer plainly, and it will be one by which I will abide.”

      Then the noble king commanded Sir Cliges to see that these men were lodged and served well, so that no luxury was spared for them, and that down to their serving boys and their horses, they lacked for nothing, “for they are full royal people. And though they have insulted me and my court, we must keep our honor in mind.” So they were led into their chambers and served with the finest food and drink that could be procured. And the Romans had great marvel at this.

      Then the king called his nobles and knights to a council and within a tower most of the knights of the Round Table assembled. The king asked them to give him their best advice.

      “Sir,” said Sir Cador of Cornwall, “as for me, I am not upset at this message, for we have been at rest for many days now. I like well the letter of Lucius the Emperor, for now we shall have war and worship.”

      “By Christ, I well believe,” said the king, “that you like this message, Sir Cador. But they may not be answered thus, for their contemptuous speech grieves my heart. I will never pay that tribute to Rome. Therefore, advise me, my knights, for the love of Christ in heaven. I have found this in the chronicles: Sir Belyn and Sir Bryne, and other elders of my blood, born in Britain, ruled as emperors for 160 years after Constantine, our kinsman and son of Dame Helena of England, conquered Rome and became emperor. He recovered the cross