[Illustration: King Arthur and His Knights]

[Illustration: _King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table_]

 KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS

 By Maude L. Radford

 Illustrated by Walter J. Enright

 [Illustration: The Holy Grail]

 Rand, M^cNally & Company CHICAGO · NEW YORK · LONDON

 _Copyright_, 1903, By MAUDE L. RADFORD

[Illustration] TABLE OF CONTENTS

 PAGE_A List of Illustrations_ 8

How Arthur Became King 11

The Good Sword Excalibur 29

The Great Feast and What Followed 35

Arthur's Court and the Order of the Round Table 49

King Arthur and the Princess Guinevere 64

The Coming of Gareth 73

The Story of Sir Gareth and Lynette 85

Sir Ivaine 99

Sir Balin 120

Sir Geraint and Enid 131

Arthur and Sir Accalon 142

How Arthur Fought with a Giant 153

How Arthur Fought with Rome 160

The Knight with the Badly Made Coat 171

Sir Lancelot and Sir Brune 177

The Adventure of King Pellenore 193

Sir Lancelot and His Friends 199

How Sir Lancelot Saved the Queen 213

Sir Lancelot and Elaine 226

The Search for the Holy Grail 243

The Death of Arthur 260

[Illustration] A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

 PAGE

_King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table_ Frontispiece

_"All about him old oaks stood like giant guardians"_ 10

_"He hardly more than touched the sword"_ 25

_Arthur and the Lady of the Lake_ 31

_King Bors and King Ban_ 41

_"Arthur saw Guinevere bending over the wall"_ 65

_"Gareth rode at him fiercely"_ 93

_"He dismounted and poured water into the fountain"_ 105

_"They fought till their breath failed"_ 129

_"King Arthur raising his hand for silence"_ 167

_"The king touched him lightly with his sword"_ 175

_"He pushed him until he was but a step from the edge"_ 191

_"He struck so fiercely the bottom fell out"_ 209

_"She staid near it all day long in the turret"_ 231

_"And across it slowly moved the Holy Grail"_ 253

 TO DWIGHT AND ROGER

 [Illustration: The Holy Grail]

 King Arthur and His Knights

[Illustration: _"All about him old oaks stood like giantguardians"_]

[Illustration] HOW ARTHUR BECAME KING

Once upon a time, a thousand years before Columbus discoveredAmerica, and when Rome was still the greatest city in the world, there lived a brave and beautiful youth whose name was Arthur. His home was in England, near London; and he lived with the goodknight Sir Hector, whom he always called father. 

They dwelt in a great square castle of gray stone, with a roundtower at each corner. It was built about a courtyard, and wassurrounded by a moat, across which was a drawbridge that could beraised or lowered. When it was raised the castle was practicallya little island and very hard for enemies to attack. 

On one side of the moat was a large wood, and here Arthur spent agreat deal of his time. He liked to lie under the trees and gazeup at the blue of the sky. All about him old oaks stood likegiant guardians watching sturdily over the soil where they hadgrown for centuries. Arthur could look between the trunks and seerabbits and squirrels whisking about. Sometimes a herd of browndeer with shy dark eyes would pass, holding their graceful headshigh in the air; sometimes a flock of pheasants with brilliantplumage rose from the bushes. Again there was no sound except thetapping of a bright-crested woodpecker, and no motion but thefluttering of leaves and the trembling of violets half buried ingreen moss. 

At times, when it was dim and silent in the wood, Arthur wouldhear bursts of merry laughter, the tinkling of bells, and thejingling of spurs. Then he would know that knights and ladieswere riding down the road which ran beside the trees. Soon theknights would appear on horses, brown, black, and white, withgaily ornamented saddles, and bridles from which hung silverbells. Often the saddles were made of ivory or ebony, set withrubies or emeralds. The knights wore helmets laced with slendergold chains, and coats of mail made of tiny links of steel, sofine and light that all together hardly weighed more than a coatof cloth. Usually the legs of the knights were sheathed in steelarmor; and their spurs were steel, or even gold. The ladies saton horses with long trappings of silk, purple, white, or scarlet, with ornamented saddles and swinging bells. The robes of theladies were very beautiful, being made of velvet or silk trimmedwith ermine. Arthur liked to watch them, flashing by; crimson, and gold, and blue, and rose-colored. Better still, he liked tosee the pretty happy faces of the ladies, and hear their gayvoices. In those troublous times, however, the roads were soinsecure that such companies did not often pass. 

Sometimes the knights and ladies came to visit Sir Hector. ThenArthur would hurry from the forest to the castle. Sir Hectorwould stand on the lowered drawbridge to greet his guests, andwould lead them, with many expressions of pleasure, into thecourtyard. Then he would take a huge hammer hanging from a post, and beat with it on a table which stood in a corner of thecourtyard. Immediately from all parts of the castle the squiresand servants would come running to take the horses of the knightsand ladies. Sir Hector's wife and daughters would then appear, and with their own hands remove the armor of the knights. Theywould offer them golden basins of water, and towels for washing, and after that put velvet mantles upon their shoulders. Then theguests would be brought to the supper table. 

But Arthur did not spend all his time dreaming in the woods orgazing at knights and ladies. For many hours of the day hepracticed feats of arms in the courtyard. It was the custom inEngland to train boys of noble birth to be knights. As soon asthey were old enough they were taught to ride. Later on, theylived much among the ladies and maidens, learning gentle manners. Under the care of the knights, they learned to hunt, to carry alance properly, and to use the sword; and having gained thisskill, they were made squires if they had shown themselves to beof good character. 

Then, day by day, the squires practiced at the quintain. This wasan upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, havingon one end a broad board, and on the other a bag of sand. Theobject was to ride up at full gallop, strike the board with along lance, and get away without being hit by the sand bag. 

Besides this, the squires had services to do for the knights, inorder that they might learn to be useful in as many ways aspossible, and to be always humble. For instance, they took careof the armor of the knights, carried letters and messages forthem, accompanied them at joustings and tournaments, being readywith extra weapons or assistance; and in the castle they helpedto serve the guests at table. After months of such service, theywent through a beautiful ceremony and were made knights. In thecountry round about, Arthur, of all the squires, was the mostfamous for his skill in the use of the lance and the sword, forhis keenness in the hunt, and for his courtesy to all people. 

Now, at this time there was no ruler in England. The powerfulUther of Wales, who had governed England, was dead, and all thestrong lords of the country were struggling to be king in hisplace. This gave rise to a great deal of quarreling andbloodshed. 

There was in the land a wise magician named Merlin. He was so oldthat his beard was as white as snow, but his eyes were as clearas a little child's. He was very sorry to see all the fightingthat was going on, because he feared that it would do seriousharm to the kingdom. 

In those days the great and good men who ruled in the church hadpower almost equal to that of the monarch. The kings and thegreat lords listened to their advice, and gave them much land, and money for themselves and for the poor. So Merlin went to theArchbishop of Canterbury, the churchman who in all England wasthe most beloved, and said:

"Sir, it is my advice that you send to all the great lords of therealm and bid them come to London by Christmas to choose a king. "

The archbishop did as Merlin advised, and at Christmas all thegreat lords came to London. The largest church in the city stoodnot far from the north bank of the Thames. A churchyardsurrounded it, filled with yew trees, the trunks of which wereknotted with age. The powerful lords rode up in their clankingarmor to the gate, where they dismounted, and giving their horsesinto the care of their squires, reverently entered the church. 

There were so many of them that they quite filled the nave andside-aisles of the building. The good archbishop, from where hestood in the chancel, looked down on them all. Just behind himwas the altar covered with a cloth of crimson and gold, andsurmounted by a golden crucifix and ten burning candles. In frontof him, kneeling under the gray arches which spanned the church, were the greatest men in the kingdom. He looked at their sternbronzed faces, their heavy beards, their broad shoulders, andtheir glittering armor, and prayed God to make the best man inthe land king. 

Then began the service. At the close of the first prayer some ofthe knights looked out of the window, and there in the churchyardthey saw a great square stone. In the middle of it was an anvilof steel a foot high, and fixed therein was a beautiful sword. Onthe sword was some writing set in with gold which said:

"Whosoever pulls this sword out of this stone and anvil is thereal king of all England. "

The knights who read this told the archbishop, but he said:

"I command you all to keep within the church and still pray toGod. No man is to touch the sword until all the prayers aresaid. "

After the service was over, the lords went into the churchyard. They each pulled at the sword, but none could stir it. 

"The king is not here, " said the archbishop, "but God will makehim known. Meantime, let ten good knights keep watch over thissword. "

The knights were soon chosen, and then the archbishop said thaton a fixed day every man in the kingdom should try to pull thesword out of the anvil. He ordered that on New Year's day all thepeople should be brought together for a great tournament to beheld on the south bank of the Thames, near London bridge. After afew days spent in jousting among the knights, each man shouldmake the trial to find out whether or not he was to be king. 

The brave youth Arthur did not know of the contest that was to bemade for the sword. Sir Hector told him that he was to go to atournament, but he did not tell him the reason for holding thetournament. So Arthur rode to London with Sir Hector; and SirKay, who was Sir Hector's oldest son, was with them. 

Sir Hector and Sir Kay rode soberly in front. They were tall, stalwart men and rode black horses, their dark figures makingshadows on the light snow that had fallen. Arthur, riding behindthem, felt exhilarated by the crisp winter air which caused theblood to dance in his veins. Sometimes he stood up in his saddleand flicked with his sword the dead leaves on the oaks. Again hemade his horse crush the thin crust of ice that had formed intiny pools on the road. He was so happy in the thought of thetournament he was to see, that he could have sung for joy. 

The road was not very wide, for few carts passed upon it, but ithad been well worn by riders. Sometimes it wound through a bit ofthick woods; again it rose up over a gently rolling hill. Fromthe hilltops the riders could see London far in the distance. Itlooked at first like a gray haze; then, as the three came nearer, the buildings, large and small, grew plain to the sight. Thecastles and huts, barns and sheds, smithies, shops and mills, stood out in the keen sunlight. A high wall surrounded them, while on one side flowed the river Thames. 

After they had entered the city, and had passed the churchyard, and had almost reached London bridge, Sir Kay discovered that hehad left his sword at home. 

"Will you go back for it?" he asked Arthur. 

"That I will, " said Arthur, glad of the chance to ride longer inthe delightful air. 

But when he reached their dwelling, he could not get in. Thedrawbridge was raised, and he could not make the warden hear hiscalling. Then Arthur was disturbed and said to himself:

"I will hasten to the churchyard we passed, and take thebeautiful sword which I saw in the stone. It does not seem tobelong to anyone, and my brother Kay must have a weapon. "

So he rode on till he reached the churchyard, dismounted, andtied his horse to a sapling. The ten knights who guarded thesword had gone away to see the combats in the tournament. Arthurran up and pulled lightly but eagerly at the sword. It came atonce from the anvil. He hurried to Sir Kay, who was waiting forhim on London bridge. Sir Kay knew that the weapon was the onethat had been fixed fast in the stone, but he said nothing toArthur, and the two soon overtook Sir Hector, who had riddenslowly to the field where the tournament was taking place. SirKay immediately told his father what had happened. 

The good knight at once spoke with great respect to Arthur. 

"Sir, " he said, "you must be the king of this land. "

"What mean you, sir?" asked Arthur. 

Sir Hector told the wondering youth the reason why he wasdestined to be king. Then he said:

"Can you put this sword back in its place and pull it out again?"

"Easily, " replied Arthur. 

The three returned to the great stone, and Arthur put back thesword. Sir Hector tried to take it out, but failed. 

"Now, you try, " he said to Sir Kay. 

But Sir Kay, in spite of great efforts, also failed. Then Arthur, at Sir Hector's bidding, tried, and at once pulled forth thesword. At that Sir Hector and Sir Kay knelt before Arthur. 

"Alas, " said Arthur, raising them from the ground, "my own dearfather and my brother, why do you kneel to me?"

"Nay, my lord Arthur, " said Sir Hector, "I am not your father. You are of higher blood than I am. Long ago, when you were alittle baby, Merlin brought you to me to take care of, telling methat you were to be the king. "

"Then whose son am I?" cried Arthur. 

"There are two stories: the one that Merlin tells, and the onethat old Bleys, the master of Merlin, tells. Merlin brought youto me, saying that you were the son of King Uther and Yguerne hiswife. But because the king was dead and the lords powerful andjealous, he told me to guard you in secrecy lest your life betaken. I did not know whether the story was true or false then, but you were a helpless child, and Merlin was a wise sage, and soI took you and brought you up as my own. "

Arthur was so astonished that he did not ask to hear the talethat Bleys told. He stood gazing at Sir Hector, who said:

"And now, my gracious lord, will you be good to me and mine whenyou are king?"

"I will, indeed, " replied Arthur, "for I am more beholden to youthan to any one else in the world, and also to my good lady andfoster mother, your wife, who has reared me as if I were her ownchild. If it be God's will that I shall sometime become king, askof me then what you will. "

"Sir, " said Sir Hector, "I ask that you make my son Sir Kay, yourfoster brother, the steward of all your lands. "

"That shall be done, " said Arthur, "and more. He shall have thatoffice as long as I live. "

Then the three went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and relatedto him the story of Merlin and all that had occurred. At hisrequest they told no one else. 

At the command of the archbishop on Twelfth day, which is thesixth of January, all the great lords assembled in the churchyard. Each tried to draw forth the sword, and each failed. Then theuntitled people came and tried. Everyone failed until at lastArthur stepped forward. He hardly more than touched the swordwhen it came away in his hand. 

At this many of the great lords were angry. 

[Illustration: _"He hardly more than touched the sword"_]

"He is but a boy, " they said, "and not of high blood. "

They refused to believe the story of his birth told by Merlin andSir Hector. And because of all the quarreling, it was decided tohave another trial at Candlemas, which fell in the month ofFebruary. Again Arthur was victorious. Then the great lordsdecreed that there should be another trial at Easter, and againArthur succeeded. Next they decided to have a final trial at thefeast of the Pentecost, which fell in May. 

Meanwhile, Merlin advised the archbishop to see that Arthur had abodyguard. So the archbishop selected several knights whom theformer king, Uther, had trusted. These were Sir Ulfius and SirBrastias and Sir Bedivere; Sir Geraint and Sir Hector and Sir Kaywere also chosen. These brave men formed a bodyguard for Arthuruntil the feast of the Pentecost. 

At this time Arthur again drew out the sword from the anvil. Thenthe common people, who had so far let the lords have their will, cried out:

"We will have Arthur for our king, and we will have no moredelay, for we see that it is God's will that he shall be ourruler. "

Then all the people knelt down, high and low, rich and poor, andbegged Arthur's pardon for the delay he had undergone. Arthurforgave them, and taking his sword, reverently placed it on thegreat altar beside which the archbishop stood. This was a signthat he meant to dedicate himself and his sword to God. 

Afterward the crowning was held, and all the brave men and fairladies in the land were present. The lords wore beautiful robesof velvet and ermine, with gold and jewels on their breast-plates. The ladies' robes were of purple and white and scarlet and goldand blue, and they wore many pearls and rubies and diamonds, sothat all the place where they were assembled was glowing withlight and color. 

But Arthur, who wore a plain white robe, did not think of thebeauty and richness. He was very grave, knowing that he was aboutto take a solemn oath. He bowed his head, while the archbishopset upon it the golden crown, which gleamed with jewels. Then hestood up before his people, and vowed that he would be a goodking and always do justice. All the people uncovered their headsand vowed to serve and obey him; and when he smiled kindly onthem as he rode slowly through the throng, they threw up theircaps and shouted joyfully: "Long live King Arthur! Long live theKing!"

King Arthur chose worthy men for his officers, making Sir Kaysteward as he had promised; Sir Ulfius he made chamberlain, andSir Brastias warden. Arthur gave offices also to Sir Hector andSir Bedivere and Sir Geraint. 

After his crowning the king set about righting all the wrongsthat had been done since the death of King Uther. He gave backthe lands and money that had been taken from widows and orphans, and would permit no unkindness to any of his subjects. Thus, atthe very beginning of his reign, his people began to call him

="Good King Arthur"=

[Illustration] THE GOOD SWORD EXCALIBUR

Soon after the crowning of King Arthur, he was journeying throughthe land with Merlin, the wise old magician, when they met aknight who challenged Arthur to a combat. The two fought, and atlast the knight wounded Arthur severely. In the end the king wasvictorious, but he had lost so much blood that he could go nofarther. Merlin took him to a good hermit who healed his wound inthree days. Then the king departed with Merlin, and as they wereslowly riding along he said:

"I am still weak from the blood I have lost, and my sword isbroken. "

"Do not fear, " said Merlin. "You shall lose no more blood andyou shall have a good sword. Ride on trustfully with me. "

They rode in silence until they came to a lake, large and quiet, and as beautiful in color as a pearl. While Arthur was looking atits beauty, he became suddenly aware of three tall women, withfair, sweet faces, standing on the bank. 

"Who are they?" the king asked. 

"Three queens who shall help you at your worst need, " answeredMerlin. "Now look out upon the lake again. "

Arthur turned his eyes upon the lake and saw that in the distancea slight mist had arisen. Through it the figure of a lady glidedover the surface of the water. Her robe appeared to be made ofwaves which streamed away in flowing curves from her body. Herhead and shoulders seemed wrapped in foam tinted with the colorsof the rainbow, and her arms glittered with sparkles which camefrom bubbles of water. She was so wonderful that Arthur looked ather for some time before he asked softly:

"Who is she?"

[Illustration: _Arthur and the Lady of the Lake_]

"She is the Lady of the Lake, " said Merlin. "She lives in a rockin the middle of the lake. See, she is coming toward us. Look atwhat is beyond her in the water. "

Arthur looked and saw rising above the surface of the water anarm clothed in pure white. This arm held a huge cross-hiltedsword, so brilliant that Arthur's eyes were dazzled. 

When the Lady of the Lake approached nearer, he said:

"Damsel, what sword is that? I wish it were mine, for I havenone. "

The lady smiled, saying:

"Step into yonder boat, row to the sword, and take it, togetherwith the scabbard. "

So Arthur entered a little boat that was tied to the shore, androwed out to the sword. As he took it and the scabbard, allgleaming with jewels, the hand and arm vanished into the water. And when Arthur looked about, the three queens and the Lady ofthe Lake were also gone. 

As Arthur, still gazing at the sword, rowed to shore, Merlin saidto him:

"My lord Arthur, which pleases you more, sword or scabbard?"

"In truth, the sword, " replied the king. 

"Let me assure you, " said Merlin, smiling gravely, "that thescabbard is worth ten of the sword. While you have it with youyou shall never lose blood, no, no matter how sorely you arewounded. So see that you guard it well. "

The king, who was looking at the sword, sighed. 

"There is writing on the sword, " he said. 

"True, my lord, written in the oldest tongue in the world. "

"_Take me_ on one side, " said Arthur, "and _Cast me away_ on theother. I am glad to take the sword, but it saddens me to think ofcasting it away. "

Merlin's face grew sad, too. He was so wise that he knew what wasgoing to happen in the future, and he was well aware that whenthe time came to cast the sword away, much evil would havebefallen the good King Arthur. But he knew that the time was yetvery far off; so he said:

"You have taken the sword. Now use it to make justice and rightprevail in all the land. Do not think of casting it away untilyou must. "

Arthur grew joyful again as he felt the strength of the goodsword in his hand, and the two rode cheerfully forward throughthe country. 

[Illustration: The Shield]

[Illustration] THE GREAT FEAST & WHAT FOLLOWED

Although Arthur had been crowned king, he was by no means surethat all the nobles of the land would accept him as ruler. Inaccordance with the custom of the time, he gave a feast in orderto find out who were his friends and who his enemies. All whocame to the feast would, he supposed, consent to be hisfollowers. 

He chose the largest hall in London, and had the walls hung withrich cloths. Upon the floor, strewn with rushes, were placedtrestles, and across these, boards were laid. Upon them finewhite linen was spread, and golden saltcellars, wine-bowls, andwater-jugs set about. 

When the guests assembled there were so many that Arthur wasdelighted, for he thought they were all his friends. He sat atthe head of one table, and Sir Hector sat at the head of theother. Arthur wore a gold crown on his head, but it was nobrighter than his hair, and the blue turquoises with which it wasset were no bluer than his eyes. From his shoulders to the groundhung a magnificent red robe with gold dragons embroidered uponit. 

The cooks and squires came in from the kitchen carrying food, their ruddy faces beaming from the heat of the fires. First ofall, sixty boars' heads were borne in on silver platters. Thenfollowed, on golden dishes, peacocks and plovers which had beenso skillfully cooked that their bright colors were preserved. After the guests had eaten all they cared for of this food, tinyroasted pigs were brought in, and set on all fours upon thetables. By this time, all the gold and silver goblets which hadbeen filled with wine needed refilling. Then the squires carriedin beautiful white swans on silver platters, and roasted cranesand curlews on plates that glowed like the sun. After that camerabbits stewed in sweet sauce, and hams and curries. The lastcourse consisted of tarts and preserves, dates and figs andpomegranates. 

The supper began about five o'clock, and the guests ate and drankinto the night. Although it was past Easter time, the weather wasa little cold, and so upon the stone flagging between the twolong tables the king ordered fires to be lighted. The brightflames darted up, flashing on the gold threads woven in thehangings of the walls, and on the steel armor of the lords, andgleaming on the jewels set in the gold and silver goblets whichthe squires were carrying about. At one side sat a band ofmusicians singing of the glories of King Arthur, and of thefolk-tales of his ancestors and people, accompanying themselveson their harps. 

After the guests had risen from the tables and gone to theircamps, Arthur sent messengers to them with rich gifts of horsesand furs and gold. But most of the lords received the messengersscornfully. 

"Take back these gifts to the beardless boy who has come of lowblood, " they said; "we do not want them. We have come here togive him gifts of hard blows with our hard swords. "

The messengers were astonished to hear these things spoken oftheir good king. Nevertheless, they told Arthur all that had beensaid to them. He sent no answer back, but he called together allthe lords whom he was sure were loyal to him, and asked theiradvice. They said to him:

"We cannot give you advice, but we can fight. "

"You speak well, my lords, " answered Arthur, "and I thank you foryour courage. Will you take the advice of Merlin? You know thathe has done much for me, and he is very wise. "

The lords and barons answered that they would do whatever Merlinadvised. When Merlin came to the council hall he said:

"I warn you that your enemies are very strong. They have added totheir numbers so that now you have against you eleven mightykings. "

At this the lords looked dismayed. 

"Unless our lord Arthur has more men than he can find in his ownrealm, " said Merlin, "he will be overcome and slain. Therefore Igive you this counsel. There are two brothers across the sea;both are monarchs and both very strong. One is King Ban ofBenwick, and the other is King Bors of Gaul. Now these two havean enemy, also a powerful ruler. Therefore, send to the brothers, King Bors and King Ban who are now both in Benwick, and say tothem that if they will help Arthur in his war against the elevenkings, Arthur will help them against their common enemy. "

"That is very good counsel, " said the king and the lords. 

So they chose Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias as messengers, andthese two hurried away, hopeful of success. When they reached thetown in Benwick where King Bors and King Ban were, knights cameforth to receive them and to hear their message. As soon as itwas learned from whom they had come they were led into thepresence of the brothers. Both were very large men. King Borswas dark, and was dressed in black armor. King Ban was dark, too;the colors that he wore on his shield were green and gold. He wasthe father of Sir Lancelot, the knight who afterwards became themost powerful of the followers of Arthur. 

The two kings received Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias with muchfavor. 

"Tell King Arthur, " they said, "that we will come to him asquickly as we can. "

Then they gave splendid gifts to Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias, whohurried back to Arthur with the message. 

In a short time King Bors and King Ban arrived with ten thousandof their soldiers, and as Arthur had ten thousand, they feltcertain of victory. They went into Wales, a country whichArthur's followers knew well, and waited confidently for theenemy. 

The eleven kings collected a great host of sixty thousand men, fifty thousand on horseback and ten thousand on foot. Theymarched towards the place where Arthur was, and set up their campnear a wood about a mile distant. When Merlin knew this, he saidto Arthur and the two kings:

[Illustration: _King Bors and King Ban_]

"This is my advice: Set upon your enemies at midnight when theyare unprepared, and then you will have the advantage. "

So Arthur and the two royal brothers and the twenty thousandsoldiers crept up to where the eleven kings and their men lay. They took a road circling round the wood. Moving with greatcaution, they drew nearer and nearer until they could see firstthe camp fires in a circle around the white tents; and then, against the flashing flames, the dark figures of the men who werekeeping guard. Sometimes they were afraid that the noise theymade would alarm their enemies, but on account of a heavywindstorm, they were unheard. When his men were quite near, Arthur gave the word of command. The whole army uttered a greatshout, and ran forward in companies upon their enemies. In a fewminutes they had knocked down most of the tents, and killed manysoldiers. 

It was a dreadful thing to be attacked in the dark withoutwarning. But the eleven kings were brave men, even though theywere so unjust to Arthur in trying to take his kingdom from him, and made a good fight. Perhaps they would have made a better oneif they had known how few the men were under Arthur. 

Before day dawned, Merlin told Arthur to draw back his troops. This he did, leaving about ten thousand of the enemy dead behindhim. He, however, had not lost very many men. 

At daybreak Arthur and his followers saw that the lay of the landcould be used to their advantage. Between them and the enemy wasa narrow road, bounded on one side by a lake, and on the otherside by a dense wood. One part of this wood, however, was thinenough to allow men to hide in it. 

"Now, " said Merlin, "let King Bors and King Ban take theirsoldiers and hide in the wood for a long time. Then, my lordArthur, stand up before the enemy with your men. "

"Why shall we do this?" asked Arthur. 

"Because, " said the wise old man, "when the eleven kings see howfew in number your troops are, they will let you proceed down thepassage. They will think that if you march close to them they canovercome you. But you can fill up this narrow road with more andmore men from the wood. Then the enemy cannot surround you. "

"That seems very good, " said Arthur. 

"And at last, " continued Merlin, "when the eleven kings areweary, let King Bors and King Ban come forth. Then surely thecourage of our enemies will fail. "

The plan was carried out. Arthur's men marched down the passage. The green wood was on one side, and on the other was the lake, the water of which was so clear that it reflected the bodies ofthe soldiers with their shields and helmets. The sun shone ontheir armor. The little birds in the woods sang as they passed. But the men were thinking of nothing but the expected battle. 

When they had come close to the enemy, they saw the eleven kingsall in a row, mounted on big handsome horses. Their fiftythousand men were behind them. Suddenly these rode forward andthe battle began. 

It was a fierce fight. In a very short time the field was coveredwith overthrown men and horses. Broken shields and helmets lay onthe ground, and many of the knights who had been fighting onhorseback were unhorsed, and were fighting on foot. Arthurgalloped here and there among his enemies, conquering with histrusty sword all with whom he fought. The woods and the waterrang with his sword strokes. The noise drowned the sweet songs ofthe birds, but still they sang, and flew about gaily, all unawareof the grim death-struggle going on beneath them. 

Finally the time arrived for bringing forward King Bors and hismen. The great dark king went thundering down upon his enemies. When the King of Orkney saw him coming, he cried:

"Oh, we are in great danger! I see King Bors, one of the best andbravest kings in the world, and he is helping our enemy. "

Then the other kings were astonished, for they did not know thatArthur had sent outside his country for help. 

"But we will fight on, " they said, "no matter how powerful heis. "

While they were still fighting, but with great loss of courage, they heard the loud sounds made by the hoofs of other trampinghorses, and King Ban rode down on them, followed by his men. Hisblack brows were frowning, and his green and gold colorsglittered in the sun. 

"Alas, alas!" cried the King of Orkney, "now in truth are welost, for here is another king, no less great than his brotherBors. But we must neither flee nor yield. "

The eleven kings, being agreed to this, continued the battle, though so many of their men were killed that the King of Orkneywept. When he saw some of his men running away, he wept stillmore, for he thought it was better to die than to be a coward. 

Though they did not intend to run away, the eleven kings thoughtit would be wise to retreat to a little copse near by. It waslate and they were tired and wished to rest before fightingagain. King Bors and King Ban could not help admiring theserulers. 

"In truth, " said King Ban, "they are the bravest men I ever saw. I would they were your friends. "

"Indeed, so would I, " replied Arthur; "but I have no hope ofthat, for they are determined to destroy me, and so we must fighton. "

At this moment Merlin rode up on his great black horse. 

"Have you not done enough?" he cried to Arthur. "Of their sixtythousand men there are left but fifteen thousand. It is time tostop, I say. If you fight on, they will win the day. The tidewill turn against you. "

Arthur hesitated and Merlin said:

"The eleven kings have a great trouble coming of which they areignorant. The Saracens have landed in their countries to thenumber of over forty thousand. So your enemies will have so muchfighting to do that they will not attack you again for threeyears. "

Then Arthur was glad, for it had grieved him deeply to fight solong and to lose his good soldiers. 

"We will fight no more, " he said. 

"That is well, " replied Merlin. "Now give presents to yoursoldiers, for to-day they have proved themselves equal to thebest fighters in the world. "

"True, indeed!" exclaimed King Bors and King Ban. 

So Arthur gave gifts to his own men; and a great deal of gold tothe brother kings, both for themselves and for their soldiers. And the two kings went home rejoicing. 

[Illustration: The Two Horses]

[Illustration] ARTHUR'S COURT & THE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE

After Arthur had proved his prowess in his contest with theeleven kings, he decided to establish his Court and the Order ofthe Round Table. The place he chose was the city of Camelot inWales, which had a good situation, being built upon a hill. Hecalled the wise Merlin and ordered him to make a great palace onthe summit of the hill. Through his powers of enchantment, Merlinwas able to do this very quickly, and within a week the king andhis personal attendants were settled in the palace. 

The main part consisted of a great Assembly Hall built of whitemarble, the roof of which seemed to be upheld by pillars of greenand red porphyry, and was surmounted by magnificent towers. Theoutside walls of the hall were covered with beautiful rows ofsculpture. The lowest row represented wild beasts slaying men. The second row represented men slaying wild beasts. The thirdrepresented warriors who were peaceful, good men. The fourthshowed men with growing wings. Over all was a winged statue withthe face of Arthur. Merlin meant to show by means of the firstrow that formerly evil in men was greater than good; by thesecond that men began to conquer the evil in themselves, which intime caused them to become really good, noble, and peace-lovingmen, as in the third row. And finally, through the refininginfluence of Good King Arthur and his wise helpers, men wouldgrow to be almost as perfect as the angels. 

The main doorway was in the shape of an arch, upheld by pillarsof dark yellow marble. The hall was lighted by fourteen greatwindows, through which the light streamed in soft colors upon themarble floors. Between these windows, and along the cornices, were beautiful decorations. There were carvings in white marbleof birds and beasts and twining vines. There was mosaic work ofblack and yellow and pink marble and of lapis lazuli, as blue asa lake when the clear sun shines full upon its surface. Under thewindows were many stone shields, beneath each of which was thename of a knight. Some shields were blazoned with gold, some werecarved, and some were blank. The walls were hung with beautifultapestries which had been woven by the ladies of the land forArthur's new palace. On each had been pictured some episode fromthe life of King Arthur; the drawing of the magic sword from theanvil, the finding of the good sword Excalibur, his deeds ofjustice and acts of kindness, and his many battles and wars. 

The two wings of the palace contained the dining hall and kitchenand the living apartments of all the members of the court whomade their home with the king. The dining hall was only a littleless beautiful than Arthur's great Assembly Hall. The walls werehung with cloths of scarlet and gold. The deep fireplace wassupported by four bronze pillars. In the middle of the room werelong tables made of oak boards set on ivory trestles. At abanquet the walls were hung with garlands of flowers or festoonsof branches. 

The great kitchen had stone walls and stone flagging. Thefireplace was so large that there was room for a whole ox to beroasted, and above hung cranes from which half a dozen kettlescould be suspended, and pots of such a size that pigs could beboiled whole in them. All about the walls were cupboards. Somewere full of plates of wood, iron, steel, silver, and gold, andflagons, cups, bowls, and saltcellars of gold and silver. Otherswere used for the storing of cold meats and fruits. There wereseveral tables on which the cooked food was cut, and benches uponwhich the cooks rested when they were tired of serving the hungryeaters. 

Well might they have grown tired. 

Supper, the most important meal of the day, lasted from threeuntil six, and often longer. But the cooks, and the littlescullion boys who washed the pots and pans, and the attendantswho carried in the food to the dining hall, all wore contentmentand happiness on their faces as they hurried about with theirlong blouses tucked out of harm's way; for to serve King Arthurand his guests was considered a real privilege. 

The sleeping rooms were furnished with chests, and chairs, andbeds spread with fine linen and with ermine-lined covers. Hangings of various colors were upon the walls. On the floorswere strewn rushes, and among them was thrown mint which gaveforth an agreeable odor. 

After Arthur, his officers, and his servants had been in thepalace a few days, the king formally established his Court. Heinvited all the knights who cared to do so to come with theirfamilies and retinues and live with him. Some preferred to remainin their own castles, but others gladly went to live with theking. Soon all were comfortably settled. 

The king's officers were very important members of Arthur'scourt. First of these came the Archbishop of Canterbury, whoheld the highest place in the king's regard. It was his duty toconduct the church services for Arthur and his followers, and tochristen, marry, and bury the people of Camelot. Next, Sir Ulfiusas chamberlain superintended the care of the king's rooms. SirBrastias, who was warden, superintended the servants. Sir Kay, who was steward, had charge of all the food and the kitchen. SirHector, as treasurer, took care of the king's gold and renderedthe accounts. Sir Geraint managed all the tournaments and outdoorsports of the knights and squires. There were other officers tohelp these, and all did their work faithfully and lovingly. 

The knights whom Arthur chose to be members of his Round Tablewere mostly selected from these officers. As members of thisorder there were one hundred and fifty of the knights who hadshown themselves especially brave in battle and who were devotedfollowers of the king. Next to being king, the greatest honorwhich could fall to a warrior was to be made a member of theRound Table, for all who belonged to the order were dedicated tothe service of God and mankind. There is no glory greater thansuch a dedication. 

In his great hall Arthur had placed a huge table, made round inshape so that there should be neither head nor foot, a higherplace nor a lower place. Arthur wished all who sat there to beequals. These chosen knights were to give him council in times ofpeace and of war. 

It was a solemn hour when the knights took their places. TheArchbishop of Canterbury blessed them and their seats. Then eachone came to Arthur, who stood at the top of the Assembly Hall, and did him homage. Next they took their vows. They promised tobe brave and good, never false, or mean, or cruel. If anyone withwhom they fought begged for mercy, they would show him mercy. Andthey vowed never to fight for a wrong cause or for money. Eachyear at the feast of the Pentecost they were to repeat thesevows. 

Other members of Arthur's Court were old, brave knights who couldno longer fight, but who liked to be near the king and hiswarriors, and gave the wisdom of age and experience to hiscouncils; young, ambitious, and promising knights who had had butlittle real experience in battle; and faithful squires who hadhad no real experience at all. Boys from six to fourteen yearswere pages. There were others who transformed Arthur's Court to aplace of grace and beauty, --the mothers, wives, sisters, anddaughters of the warriors. 

Although they did not help in the councils of war, these ladieswere of great assistance in training the knights to be tender andcourteous. They taught the little pages good manners andunselfishness. They assisted the knights in removing their armorwhen they came in tired from riding or fighting. They sat withArthur and the knights in the evening in the dining-hall, singingor playing upon harps, or listening to the tales that were told. When the knights were away the ladies stayed in their ownchambers, hearing wise readings from the Archbishop of Canterbury, or other learned men, listening to Merlin's words of wisdom, andembroidering the beautiful hangings and cushions which were toadorn the palace. 

It was a month before Arthur's Court was established, and duringthat time the city of Camelot was a scene of continual merriment. The people of the place were glad that the king had come, forthat meant much gain for them. Those of them who did not live inthe palace had their houses or shops on the streets which woundabout the foot of the hill. Many of the shops belonged toarmorers, who had armor of all sorts for any one who would buy. They were glad in their turn to buy the swords of famous knightswhich had been used in great battles, for such weapons they couldalways sell again at a good price. These shopkeepers and theservants and the squires and the warriors all united to make thecity of Camelot a beautiful one, for the sake of their king. Thestreets were kept strewn with rushes and flowers. Rich awningsand silken draperies were hung from the houses. 

All day long processions passed, made up of the followers of allthose lords who gave allegiance to the king. They carried thebanners of their masters, crimson, white, or scarlet, gold, silver, or azure, making the streets glow with color. Themarching squires wore ornamented blouses, drawn in at the waist, long silk stockings, and shoes of embroidered leather. The bowmenwere dressed in green kirtles, rather shorter than those of thesquires, and wore dark woolen hose; they carried their bows andarrows slung across their shoulders. The servants were dressed inmuch the same way, except that their blouses were longer and ofvarious colors. Many knights rode in the processions, their longplumes waving in the wind, their armor shining, and their falconsperched upon their wrists. 

All day long, too, bands of musicians played on flutes andtimbrels and tabors and harps; bands of young men and women sangsongs in praise of the king; story-tellers went about relatingold tales of famous heroes. The young men showed their strengthby tumbling and wrestling, and their grace by dancing; the youngwomen also danced. 

The wise Merlin often passed along the streets, walking silentlyamong the merry throngs of people. Sometimes the little Dagonetdanced at his side, Dagonet the king's jester, a tiny man whomade merriment for the Court with his witty sayings. He alwayswore a tight-fitting red blouse and a peaked cap ornamented withbells, and he carried a mock scepter in the shape of a carvedivory stick. 

Whenever Arthur appeared before his people, church-bells werejoyously rung and trumpets were sounded. The king, as he rode, distributed presents to the poor people:--capes, coats, andmantles of serge, and bushels of pence. In a dining-hall at thepalace, feasts were held on those days for them, and they werealso open for all the people who might come. 

When the weather was beautiful, tables were placed on the swardoutside the palace, and those who cared to, ate under the shadeof the trees, listening to the music of the blackbirds, whosesinging was almost as loud as that of the chorus of damsels whosang in the palace. Every hour the servants carried in and outgreat quarters of venison, roasted pheasants and herons, andyoung hawks, ducks, and geese, all on silver platters. Curriesand stews and tarts were innumerable. In the midst of the sward asilver fountain had been set from which flowed sweet wine. Eventhe great feasts of the year, which were held at Christmas, uponthe day of the Passover, at Pentecost, upon Ascension day, andupon St. John's day, were not as wonderful as these feasts, whenthe king held holiday with his people. 

On these days of merriment, when the people were not eating ordrinking or marching in processions, they were at the tournamentfield, watching the combats. Here the best of Arthur's knights, mounted on strong horses and wearing heavy armor, were ranged ontwo sides of the field. Behind each row was a pavilion filledwith ladies. Four heralds stood ready to blow the trumpets whichgave the signal for the combats. Each herald wore crimson silkstockings and crimson velvet kirtles, tight at the waist, andreaching half-way to the knee. 

When it was time to begin the heralds blew the trumpets, theladies bent over eagerly, and the knights spurred their horsesforward, riding with their lances in rest. In a moment clouds ofdust arose, circling up as high as the plumes on the knights'helmets, and their lances crashed against each other's shields. Many of the lances broke. Sometimes the shock of contactoverthrew a knight. But no one was hurt, for the good King Arthurhad ordered that the combats should be friendly. 

When the jousting had lasted for several hours, those knights whohad shown themselves the stronger, received prizes from theladies. The prizes were suits of armor ornamented with gold, andswords with jeweled hilts. The knight who, of all, was thestrongest, chose the lady whom he considered most beautiful, andcrowned her "The Queen of Love and Beauty. "

During the month of feasting, Arthur made knights of some of thesquires. A young squire was first obliged to show his skill intilting at the quintain. Then his father presented him withfalcons and sparrowhawks for hunting, and arms and robes. He alsogave robes and arms to his son's companions, and, to theirmothers and sisters, furs and embroidered robes, and belts ofgold. Finally he gave money to the singers and players, andservants, and to the poor people of Camelot. 

At about sunset the young squire went into the church, where theArchbishop of Canterbury held a solemn service. The youth tookthe armor which he had chosen, and placed it on the floor infront of the altar. He was then left alone, and all night long heprayed fervently to God to give him strength to be a noble andtrue knight. In the morning the king came to the church, attendedby his nobles and by the archbishop. The squire laid his sword onthe altar, thus signifying his devotion to Christ and hisdetermination to lead a holy life. King Arthur bound the swordand spurs on the young man, and, taking Excalibur, he smote himlightly on the shoulder with it, saying, "Be thou a true andfaithful knight. "

Then the squire took a solemn oath to protect all who were indistress, to do right, to be a pure knight, and to have faith inGod. After that the Archbishop of Canterbury preached a solemnsermon. 

When the month of feasting and holiday was ended, the members ofthe Court returned to their usual habits of life. The Knights ofthe Round Table went forth to right wrongs and to enforce thelaw. All who were in distress came to the king for help. And tothe whole country Arthur's Court was famous as a place whereunkindness was never done, and where truth, justice, and lovereigned. 

[Illustration: The Shield and the Sword]

[Illustration] KING ARTHUR & THE PRINCESS GUINEVERE

After Arthur had been established in his Court for some time, hisneighbor, Leodogran, the king of Cameliard, asked him for help ina battle. To this Arthur cheerfully consented, and gathered hiswarrior men about him. 

It chanced, as he and his men were marching past the castle ofLeodogran to meet the enemy, the king's daughter, Guinevere, whowas the most beautiful lady in all that land, stood on the castlewall to watch her father's allies pass. Now she did not know, ofall the knights who rode by, which was Arthur. Many wore gold andjewels on their armor, while the king's armor was plain. 

[Illustration: _"Arthur saw Guinevere bending over the wall"_]

But Arthur saw her bending over the wall. She was slender andgraceful; her black hair fell in two long heavy braids over eachshoulder; her eyes were large and black. And Arthur felt a warmlove spring from his heart for her, and said to himself:

"If I win this battle for Leodogran, I shall ask him to give methe princess Guinevere for wife. "

His love for Guinevere made him fight even more bravely thanusual, and he soon won the battle. After he had returned toCamelot, he told his knights that he wished to marry theprincess. They were very glad, because they, too, had seen herand thought her the most beautiful lady they had ever beheld. 

Then Arthur said:

"I will send my three good knights, Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastiasand Sir Bedivere, to King Leodogran to ask for Guinevere. "

The three knights set forth gayly, feeling certain that KingLeodogran would be glad to marry his daughter to their greatArthur. When, however, they came to the castle of Leodogran withtheir request, the king hesitated. He bade them wait for a littlewhile in the room adjoining his large hall. Then he said tohimself:

"Arthur has helped me, indeed. I know, too, that he is powerful. But I hear strange stories of his birth. There are people who saythat he is not a king's son. However great he is, I cannot givehim my only daughter unless he is really a true king, born ofroyal blood. "

He called the oldest knight in his kingdom and said to him:

"Do you know anything about Arthur's birth?"

The old man looked very wise and said:

"There are two men who do know; the younger of them is twice asold as I am. They are Merlin, and Bleys, the master of Merlin. Bleys has written down the secret of Arthur's birth in a book. "

Then King Leodogran laughed a little and said:

"My friend, your words have not helped me much. If Arthur hadnot helped me in my time of need more than you have helped menow, I should have been lost indeed. Go and call Sir Ulfius andSir Brastias and Sir Bedivere. "

So the old man brought in the three knights, and Leodogran saidto them:

"I hear strange tales of your king's birth. Some say that he isindeed the son of the late King Uther, but others say that he isthe son of Sir Hector. Do you believe that he is Uther's son?"

They said "Yes, " and then told King Leodogran that Sir Hector hadbrought up King Arthur as his son, for fear that those who wantedthe throne would kill the child; and that Arthur was undoubtedlyUther's son. 

Still King Leodogran could not make up his mind. He bade thethree lords remain with him for a few days. 

Meanwhile the beautiful Queen Bellicent came to the Court, andLeodogran asked her advice. 

"Do you think Arthur is a great king?" he asked. "Will he alwaysbe great?"

"He is very great, " said the queen. "And all his people love him. Perhaps he has not many lords, but their deep love makes up fortheir small number. "

"That may be true, " replied the king. 

"Besides that, " added the queen, "they are good men. As you know, the Knights of the Round Table are bound by vows to be kind andtrue and merciful and helpful. "

"I have heard it, " said the king. 

"Moreover, " went on Queen Bellicent, "Arthur has powerfulfriends: Merlin, the magician, and the Lady of the Lake, who gavehim his sword Excalibur, and the three fair queens, who will helphim when he needs help most. "

"Yes, yes, " said King Leodogran, "if all this is true, Arthurmust prevail over his enemies. But is he the son of King Utherand Queen Yguerne? You are the daughter of Queen Yguerne by anearlier marriage, and, therefore, Arthur's half-sister if Arthuris really Uther's son. You ought surely to know the truth. "

Bellicent waited a little while, and then said:

"King Leodogran, I do not know what the truth is. There are twostories: the story Merlin tells and the story Bleys tells. Merlin says that Arthur is Uther's son, and indeed I should liketo believe it. "

"But you are not sure?" asked the king. 

"I am not sure. For my mother Yguerne was dark, and King Utherwas dark. Their hair and eyes were black like mine. Yet Arthur'shair is as bright as gold. Besides, there is the story of oldBleys. "

"What is his story?"

"He says that Uther died, weeping because he had no heir. ThenBleys and Merlin, who were present at his death, passed togetherout of the castle. It was a stormy night, and as they walkedalong by the lake they were forced by the roar of the tempest tolook out upon the waves, whipped by the wind. 

"Suddenly they saw a ship on the water. It had the shape of awinged dragon. All over its decks stood a multitude of peopleshining like gold. Then the ship vanished, and a number of greatwaves began to roll in towards shore. The ninth of these wavesseemed as large as half the sea. It was murmuring with strangevoices and rippling with flames. In the midst of the flames was alittle fair-haired baby who was borne to Merlin's feet. Merlinstooped and picked it up, and cried, 'The King! Here is an heirfor Uther!' This, King Leodogran, is the story Bleys told mebefore he died. "

King Leodogran wondered very much. Then he said:

"But did you not question Merlin about this?"

"Yes, " answered Queen Bellicent. "I asked him if this story ofBleys was true. He would only answer me with a riddle. "

As King Leodogran was still silent, she said:

"Do not fear to give your daughter to Arthur, for he will be thegreatest king the world has ever seen. "

Leodogran felt less doubtful. While he was thinking, he fellasleep and had a dream. He saw in his dream a field covered withmist and smoke, and a phantom king standing in the cloud. Heheard a voice which said, "This is not our king; this is not theson of Uther. " But suddenly the mist disappeared and the kingstood out in heaven, crowned. 

King Leodogran took this dream for a good sign. He called thethree knights, Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias and Sir Bedivere, andsaid to them:

"Say to your king that I will give him Guinevere for his wife. "

So the three hastily returned to King Arthur, who was overjoyedwith their message. 

In the month of May he sent Sir Lancelot, the son of King Ban, for Guinevere. When she came, the Archbishop of Canterburymarried them. And he blessed them and said that they, with thehelp of the Knights of the Round Table, must do much good for theland. 

[Illustration: The Knight with the Sword]

[Illustration] THE COMING of GARETH

The beautiful Queen Bellicent had many sons, all of whom had goneout in the world except the youngest. His name was Gareth. Histwo brothers, Gawain and Modred, were with the good King Arthur, and Gareth longed to join them. His mother, however, would notlet him go. 

"You are not yet a man, " she said. "You are only a child. Stay alittle longer with me. "

So Gareth stayed. One day he came to his mother and said:

"Mother, may I tell you a story?"

"Gladly, " she replied. 

"Then, mother, once there was a golden egg which a royal eaglehad laid, away up in a tree. It was so high up that it couldhardly be seen. But a youth, who though poor was brave, saw it, and longed for it. He knew that if he could get it, it wouldbring wealth and prosperity to him. So he tried to climb. One wholoved him stopped him, saying, 'You will fall and be killed ifyou try to reach that height. ' Therefore the poor boy did notclimb, and so did not fall; but he pined away with longing tillhis heart broke and he died. "

Queen Bellicent answered:

"If the person who held him back had loved him, that person wouldhave climbed, and found the egg, and given it to the youth. "

"That could not be, " said Gareth. "Mother, suppose the egg werenot gold, but steel, the same steel that Arthur's sword Excaliburis made of. "

The queen grew pale, for she now understood his meaning. 

But Gareth spoke on:

"Dear mother, the gold egg is the glory to be won at Arthur'sCourt; I am the poor youth, and you are the one who holds meback. Mother, let me go!"

Then Bellicent wept, and she said:

"Oh, my son, do not leave me. You love me more than Gawain andModred. You are all I have left in the world. "

But Gareth replied:

"Mother, I waste my strength here. "

"No, no, " she said. "You shall hunt; you shall follow the deerand the fox, and so grow strong. Then I will find you a beautifulwife, and we shall all live together till I die. "

Gareth shook his head. 

"No, mother. I do not want a wife until I have proved myself tobe a worthy and brave knight. I wish to follow Arthur, my goodking and uncle. "

"Perhaps he is not the true king and your uncle, " Bellicent said. "At least wait a little till he has shown himself to be thegreatest king in the world. Stay with me. "

"Nay, mother, " he said. "I must go. "

Then the queen thought of a plan which she hoped would soon makehim willing to stay home. 

"If I let you go, my son, you must make me a promise. The promisewill prove your love to me. "

"I will make a hundred promises, " cried young Gareth, "if youwill only let me go. "

"Then, " she said, "you must go in disguise to the court ofArthur. You must hire yourself out as a kitchen boy. You shallwash the pots and pans for a whole year and tell no one that youare the son of a queen. "

Queen Bellicent was sure that Gareth would not wish to make sucha promise. He was silent a long, long time. He had hoped to takepart at once with the Knights of the Round Table in great deeds. At last he said:

"I may be a kitchen boy and still be noble in heart and mind. Besides, I can look on at the tournaments. I shall see KingArthur and Sir Lancelot and Sir Kay. Yes, mother, I will go. "

Queen Bellicent was very sad. All the days before Gareth'sdeparture her eyes followed him until he felt that he could notbear to see her grieve longer. So in the middle of the night herose quietly and woke two of his faithful servants. They dressedthemselves like plowmen and started towards Camelot. 

It was Easter time and the young grass was a bright green. Thebirds were beginning their chirping, although it was not yetlight. As the dawn came, they saw the early morning mist sweepingover the mountain and forest near Arthur's city of Camelot. Sometimes the mist drew away and showed in the distance thetowers gleaming like silver. 

One of the servants said:

"Let us go no farther, my lord Gareth. I am afraid. That is afairy city. "

The second said:

"Yes, lord, let us turn back. I have heard that Arthur is not thereal king, but a changeling brought from fairyland in a greatwave all flame. He has done all his deeds with the help ofMerlin's enchantment. "

The first one spoke again:

"Lord Gareth, that is no real city. It is a vision. "

But Gareth laughed and said:

"Arthur is real flesh and blood, a brave man, and a just king. Come with me to the gate of his city, and do not be afraid. "

When they reached the gate of the city, they stared in amazement. It was made of silver and mother-of-pearl. In the center wascarved the figure of the Lady of the Lake, with her armsoutstretched in the form of a cross. In one hand she held asword, and in the other a censer. On both sides of her figure wascarved the story of the wars of King Arthur. Above all were thefigures of the three queens who were to help Arthur in time ofneed. 

The three looked till their eyes were dazzled. Then they heard apeal of music, and the gate slowly opened. An old man with a longgray beard came out to greet them, and returning led them up pastthe gardens and groves and roofs and towers of Camelot toArthur's great palace on the summit of the hill. 

Gareth hardly thought of the splendors of the palace. Heapproached the arched doorway of the Assembly Hall, thinkingonly as his heart beat quickly, that at last he was to see thegood King Arthur. Even before he entered he heard the voice ofthe king. For it was one of the days when Arthur was givingjudgment to his people. 

The king sat on a throne made of gold and ivory and ebony. On itsarms and back were carved great dragons. Arthur wore a gold crownwhich was not brighter than his own beautiful hair and beard. Hisblue eyes were as calm and clear as the sky in summer time. Histrusty knights stood about him on each side of the throne. Thetallest of these, who had a worn, browned face, and piercing darkeyes, under frowning brows, must be, Gareth knew, the famousknight, Sir Lancelot. 

As Gareth entered, a widow came forward and cried to Arthur:

"Hear me, oh, King! Your father, King Uther, took away a fieldfrom my husband, who is now dead. The king promised us gold, buthe gave us no gold, nor would he return our field. "

Then Arthur said:

"Which would you rather have, the gold or the field?"

The woman wept, saying:

"Oh, King, my dead husband loved the field. Give it back to me. "

"You shall have your field again, " said Arthur, "and besides Iwill give you three times the amount of gold it is worth to payyou for the years King Uther had it. "

Gareth thought that Arthur was indeed a just king. And while thiswas passing through his mind, another widow came forward andcried:

"Hear me, oh, King! Heretofore you have been my enemy. You killedmy husband with your own hands. It is hard for me to ask justiceor favor of you. Yet I must. My husband's brother took my son andhad him slain, and has now stolen his land. So I ask you for aknight who will do battle and get my son's land for me, andrevenge me for his death. "

Then a good knight stepped forward and said:

"Sir King, I am her kinsman. Let me do battle for her and righther wrongs. "

But Sir Kay, Arthur's foster brother, said:

"Lord Arthur, do not help a woman who has called you her enemy inyour own hall. "

"Sir Kay, " replied Arthur, "I am here to help all those who needhelp in my land. This woman loved her lord, and I killed himbecause he rebelled against me. Let her kinsman go and do battleagainst the man who has wronged her. Bring him here, and I shalljudge him. If he is guilty he shall suffer. "

While Gareth was still listening to the king's words, a messengerentered from Mark, the king of Cornwall. He carried a wonderfulgold cloth which he laid at Arthur's feet, saying:

"My lord, King Mark sends you this as a sign that he is your truefriend. "

But Arthur said:

"Take back the cloth. When I fight with kings who are worthy men, after I have conquered them I give them back their lands, andmake them my subject-kings and Knights of the Round Table. ButMark is not fit to be a king. He is cruel and false. I will notcall him friend. "

The messenger stepped back in alarm. Arthur said to him kindly:

"It is not your fault that Mark is unworthy. Stay in this cityuntil you are refreshed and then go back home in safety. "

While the king judged other cases, Gareth looked around the greathall. Underneath the fourteen windows he saw three rows of stoneshields, and under each shield was the name of a knight. If aknight had done one great deed, there was carving on his shield;if he had done two or more, there were gold markings. If he haddone none, the shield was blank. Gareth saw that Sir Lancelot'sshield and Sir Kay's glittered with gold. He looked for theshields of his brothers, Sir Gawain and Sir Modred. Sir Gawain'swas marked with gold, but Sir Modred's was blank. 

Meanwhile, Arthur had judged all the cases. Then Gareth cameforward timidly and said:

"Lord King, you see my poor clothes; give me leave to serve fortwelve months in your kitchen without telling my name. After thatI will fight. "

"You are a fair youth, " Arthur replied, "and you deserve a bettergift. However, since this is all you ask, I will put you underthe care of Sir Kay, who is master of the kitchen. "

Sir Kay looked at Gareth with scorn. 

"This youth has come from some place where he did not get enoughto eat, " he said, "and so he thinks of nothing but food. Yet ifhe wants food, he shall have it, provided he does his work well. "

Sir Lancelot, who stood near by, said:

"Sir Kay, you understand dogs and horses well, but not men. Lookat this youth's face; see his broad forehead and honest eyes, andbeautiful hands. I believe he is of noble birth, and you shouldtreat him well. "

"Perhaps he is a traitor, " Sir Kay said. "Perhaps he will poisonKing Arthur's food. Yet I believe he is too stupid to be atraitor. If he were not stupid, or if he were noble, he wouldhave asked for a different gift. He would have asked for a horseand armor. Let him go to my kitchen. "

So Gareth went to the kitchen. And there he worked faithfully athard tasks, such as cutting wood and drawing water. Sir Lancelotspoke to him kindly whenever he passed him, but Sir Kay wasalways very strict and severe. Sometimes Gareth grew discouragedand wished his mother had not exacted such a promise of him. 

Whenever there was a tournament he was happy. He liked to watchthe horses prancing, and the brave knights riding, with the sunshining on their helmets and lances. And he would say to himself:

"Only wait till the twelve months have passed, and then I shallask King Arthur to let me do some brave deed. Perhaps some onewill come to the hall and demand to have a wrong righted. Then Iwill beg the king to let me do that act of justice. "

Such thoughts kept him cheerful. And indeed, before many weeks, his chance came for doing a great deed. 

[Illustration] THE STORY OF SIR GARETH & LYNETTE

Gareth served in the kitchen of the king only one month, for hismother became sorry for the promise she had asked of him, andsent armor for him to Arthur's Court, with a letter to the kingtelling who the youth was. With great joy Gareth then went toArthur and said:

"My lord, I can fight as well as my brother Gawain. At home wehave proved it. Then make me a knight, --in secret, for I do notwant the other knights to know my name. Make me a knight, andgive me permission to right the first wrong that we hear of. "

The king said gravely:

"You know all that my knights must promise?"

"Yes, my lord Arthur. I am willing to promise all. "

"I will make you my knight in secret, since you wish it, " Arthursaid, "except that I must tell Sir Lancelot. He is my dearestknight, and I keep no secrets from him. "

Gareth said that he would be glad to have Sir Lancelot know. Accordingly the king spoke to Sir Lancelot about Gareth. 

"I have promised him that he may right the first wrong we hearof, " said Arthur, "but as he has not yet proved what he can do, Iwant you to take a horse and follow him when he sets forth. Coverup the great lions on your shield so that he will not know whoyou are. " Sir Lancelot agreed. Then Gareth was secretly made aknight. 

That same day a beautiful young damsel came into Arthur's hall. She had cheeks as pink as apple blossoms, and very sharp eyes. 

"Who are you, damsel?" asked the king, "and what do you need?"

"My name is Lynette, " she said, "and I am of noble blood. I needa knight to fight for my sister Lyonors, a lady, also noble, rich, and most beautiful. "

"Why must she have a knight?" questioned Arthur. 

"My Lord King, she lives in Castle Perilous. Around this castle ariver circles three times, and there are three passing-places, one over each circle of the river. Three knights, who arebrothers, keep a constant guard over these passing-places. Afourth knight, also a brother, clad in black armor, stands guardin front of my sister's castle. We have never seen this knight'sface or heard his voice, but his brothers tell us he is the mostpowerful and daring knight in the world. All these four keep mysister a prisoner. "

"And why?"

"Because they want her to marry one of them so that they can haveher great wealth. She refuses, but they say that they will havetheir way. In the meantime, they demand that you send SirLancelot to fight with them. They hope to overthrow Sir Lancelot, thus proving themselves the greatest warriors in the land. But Ibelieve that Sir Lancelot could overthrow them; therefore, Ihave come for him. "

Arthur remembered his promise to Sir Gareth, and did not speak ofSir Lancelot, but asked:

"Tell me what these four knights, your enemies, are like. "

"The three I have talked to are vain and foolish knights, mylord, " answered the damsel. "They have no law, and theyacknowledge no king. Yet they are very strong, and therefore am Icome for Sir Lancelot. "

Then Sir Gareth rose up, crying:

"Sir King, give me this adventure. "

At this, Sir Kay started up in anger, but Gareth continued:

"My king, you know that I am but your kitchen boy, yet I havegrown so strong on your meat and drink that I can overthrow anhundred such knights. "

The king looked at him a moment, and said:

"Go, then. "

At this all the knights were amazed. The damsel's face flushedwith anger. 

"Shame, King!" she cried. "I asked you for your chief knight, and you give me a kitchen boy!"

Then, before any one could prevent, she ran from the hall, mounted her horse, and rode out of the city gate. Garethfollowed, and at the doorway found a noble war horse which theking had ordered to be given him. Near by were the two faithfulservants who had followed him from his mother's home. They heldhis armor. Gareth put it on, seized his lance and shield, jumpedupon his horse, and rode off joyfully. 

Sir Kay, who was watching, said to Sir Lancelot:

"Why does the king send my kitchen lad to fight? I will go afterthe boy and put him to his pots and pans again. "

"Sir Kay, do not attempt to do that, " said Sir Lancelot. "Remember that the king commanded him to go. "

But Sir Kay leaped on his horse and followed Gareth. 

Meanwhile, Sir Gareth overtook the damsel and said:

"Lady, I am to right your wrong. Lead and I follow. "

But she cried:

"Go back! I smell kitchen grease when you are near. Go back! yourmaster has come for you. "

Gareth looked behind and saw that Sir Kay was riding up to him. When Sir Kay was within hearing distance, he shouted:

"Come back with me to the kitchen. "

"I will not, " said Gareth. 

Then Sir Kay rode fiercely at the youth. Gareth, however, struckhim from his horse, and then turned to the damsel, saying:

"Lead on; I follow. "

She rode for a long time in silence, with Gareth a few pacesbehind her. At last she stopped and said:

"You have overthrown your master, you kitchen boy, but I do notlike you any better for it. I still smell the kitchen grease. "

Sir Gareth said, very gently:

"You may speak to me as you will, but I shall not leave you tillI have righted your wrong. "

"Ah!" she said, scornfully, "you talk like a noble knight, butyou are not one, " and she again galloped in front of him. 

Presently, as they passed a thick wood, a man broke out of it andspoke to them:

"Help! help! they are drowning my lord!"

"Follow! I lead!" shouted Gareth to the damsel, and rushed intothe wood. There he found six men trying to drown a seventh. Gareth attacked them with such vigor that they fled. When therescued man had recovered, he thanked Gareth warmly. 

"I am the lord of the castle yonder, " he said, "and these are myenemies. You came in time. "

Then he begged Gareth and the lady to stay all night in hiscastle. They agreed, and he led the way. He took them into hislarge hall and was about to seat them side by side at a diningtable. But the damsel said in scorn:

"This is a kitchen boy, and I will not sit by him. "

The lord looked surprised. He took Gareth to another table andsat beside him. After they had eaten, he said:

"You may be a kitchen boy, or the damsel may be out of her mind, but whichever is the case, you are a good fighter and you havesaved my life. "

The next morning Gareth and the damsel set forth. They rode for awhile in silence, and then she said:

"Sir Kitchen Boy, although you are so low, I would like to saveyour life. Soon we are coming to one who will overthrow you; soturn back. "

But Gareth refused. In a little while they came to the firstcircle of the river. The passing-place was spanned by a bridge. On the farther side of the bridge was a beautiful pavilion, draped in silk of gold and crimson colors. In front of it passeda warrior without armor. 

"Damsel, " he cried, "is this the knight you have brought fromArthur's Court to fight with me?"

"Ah!" she said, "the king scorns you so much that he has sent akitchen boy to fight with you. Take care that he does not fall onyou before you are armed, for he is a knave. "

[Illustration: _"Gareth rode at him fiercely"_]

The warrior went inside his tent for his armor, and the damselsaid to Gareth:

"Are you afraid?"

"Damsel, " he said, "I am not afraid. I would rather fight twentytimes than hear you speak so unkindly of me. Yet your cruel wordshave put strength into my arm. I shall fight well. "

Then the knight came forth all in armor, and he said:

"Youth, you are a kitchen boy. Go back to your king; you are notfit to fight with me. "

Gareth rode at him fiercely, saying:

"I am of nobler blood than you. "

He fought so well that soon his enemy was overcome. Then Garethsaid:

"Go to Arthur's Court and say that his kitchen boy sent you. "

When the knight had departed, Gareth rode on, with the damsel inadvance. After a little while she stopped her horse, and when hehad caught up with her, she said:

"Youth, I do not smell the kitchen grease so much as I did. "

Then she galloped off, laughing over her shoulder, while Garethfollowed her, a little more slowly. 

When they reached the second circle of the river, the damselsaid:

"Here is the brother of the knight you overthrew. He is strongerthan the first. You had better go home, kitchen boy. "

Gareth answered nothing. Out of the tent by the bridge whichcrossed the second circle of water, came a knight, clad in armorwhich glowed like the sun. Lynette shouted to him:

"I bring a kitchen boy who has overthrown your brother. "

"Ah!" shouted the knight, and rode fiercely at Sir Gareth. 

The two fought for a long time. The warrior was strong, but SirGareth was stronger, and at last overthrew him, and sent him backto Arthur's Court. 

The damsel Lynette had ridden far ahead of him. When he came nearher, she said:

"The knight's horse slipped, and that is why you overcame him. And now are you ready to fight with the third knight, for therehe stands?"

At the third and innermost circle of the river stood the thirdknight, clad not in armor, but in hardened skins. Sir Gareth sawthat he was more powerful than his brothers. The two at oncebegan to fight on the bridge, but Sir Gareth's sword could notpierce the hard skins. Again and again he tried and failed. Hegrew tired, and began to fear that he should be conquered. Butall at once, when his strokes were becoming feeble, Lynette criedout to him:

"Well done, good knight! You are no kitchen boy, but a bravelord. Strike for me! Do not lose. You are worthy to be a Knightof the Round Table. "

When Sir Gareth heard this, he was so encouraged that he made afinal great effort and threw his enemy over the bridge into thewater. Then he turned to Lynette, saying:

"Lead; I follow. "

But Lynette, proud now of her valiant escort, and humbled andashamed at her misjudging of him, said:

"No, we shall ride side by side. I am very sorry I called you akitchen boy, for I know that you are a noble knight. "

They rode happily side by side till dusk, when they came in sightof Castle Perilous. Just as they were about to cross the moat, aknight overtook them. It was Sir Lancelot, who had been delayedbecause he had stopped to help Sir Kay after Sir Gareth hadthrown him from his horse. 

The great knight, as he rode up to the two in the twilight, seeing only the shields which Sir Gareth had taken from the threeknights, thought the young man was an enemy, and attacked him. Sir Lancelot was so strong that he soon overcame the youth. 

As he fell, Lynette cried out in shame and sorrow, and Sir Garethsaid:

"Oh, I am thrown. "

Sir Lancelot knew Sir Gareth's voice, and raised him up, saying:

"I am Lancelot, and I am sorry to have overthrown you, myfriend. "

Sir Gareth said that it was no dishonor to be beaten by SirLancelot. Then the three rode into the castle, and there theymet the fourth knight, who was all covered with black armor. 

Sir Lancelot wished to fight with him, but Sir Gareth would notpermit it. 

"This must be my adventure, " he said. 

Sir Gareth rode at the knight, expecting to meet a very strongman, but he easily unhorsed him. His enemy cried:

"Oh spare my life; I am not a knight. "

Then he took off his helmet and showed the face of a young boy. 

"My three brothers made me pretend to be a fierce knight, " heexplained. "They thought it would make people more afraid if theybelieved we were four strong knights. "

Sir Lancelot and Sir Gareth laughed heartily, and so did Lynette. They took the boy into the castle, where Lynette's sister, Lyonors, who was now freed from her money-loving captors, greetedthem with much joy. She put before them a great feast, and thistime Sir Gareth and Lynette sat side by side. Afterwards amarriage was made between them, and they went to live with KingArthur in Camelot. 

[Illustration] SIR IVAINE

Among Arthur's Knights of the Round Table was one who was amixture of good and bad, as indeed most people are. His name wasSir Ivaine; brave, kind-hearted, and merry; but at the same timefickle, sometimes forgetful of his promises, and inclined to makelight of serious things. 

One night, in the early spring, the knights and ladies ofArthur's Court were sitting in the dining-hall. The king andGuinevere had withdrawn, but were expected to return. Supper hadbeen served, and the last course, consisting of pomegranate seedsand dates, had just been carried off. A fire had been built inthe deep hearth, and the four bronze pillars in front werelighted by the flames. Four little pages in blue and whitevelvet kirtles sat on stools watching the fire, and perhapsdreaming of the days when they, too, should be warriors and haveadventures. 

Sir Ivaine was telling of his experience with the Black Knight. 

"It was when I was very young, " he said; "indeed, I had just beenmade a knight. Some one told me of the wicked Black Knight wholived, and still lives, in a wood a long way from here. Knowingthat he did much evil, I determined to kill him. I rode to thewood where he lived, and in which I found a marble platform. Inthe middle of it was a sunken space holding a fountain. I walkedto this, and following the directions of some writing which wason the stone, picked up a cup that lay at hand, and filling itwith water, poured it into the fountain. 

"Then a great storm of wind and rain arose, and when it was atits height the Black Knight rode up and began to attack me. Wefought for a little while, but he easily overthrew me. Thinkingme dead, he rode back, leaving me on the ground. But after atime I was able to mount my horse, and went back to my mother'scastle. "

At this moment the king and the queen entered, unperceived by anyone except Sir Ivaine. The young man, who was always polite, sprang to his feet; then the other knights rose. Sir Kay, who wasnot always sweet-tempered, said to Sir Ivaine:

"We all know that you are very polite, but you have more courtesythan bravery. "

At that Sir Ivaine said:

"I was almost a boy when the Black Knight overthrew me, but Icould conquer him now. "

"It is very easy to say that after you have eaten, " said Sir Kay. "Almost any knight feels brave and self-satisfied when he has hada good supper of venison. "

The king asked what the conversation was about, and Sir Ivainerepeated the story of his adventure, adding:

"And, Sir King, I crave your permission to set forth to-morrow toslay this Black Knight who is a pest in the land. "

"I have heard of this man, " said the king, "and have oftenthought of sending some one to punish him. But he lives far away, and it has been necessary heretofore to right first the wrongsnearest home. Yet now his evil deeds and persecutions must cease. To-morrow a company of us will set forth and conquer him and allhis people. "

The king named some half-dozen of his knights, Sir Ivaine amongthem, who were to undertake this adventure. 

Sir Ivaine was displeased; he thought that the adventure shouldbe his alone. So he rose in the middle of the night and stoleaway unattended, determined to go in advance of the others andkill the Black Knight. It did not occur to him that in provinghimself brave, he was also proving himself disobedient. 

He rode forth in the darkness, humming merrily to himself. Atdaybreak he reached a valley, and as he went through it, saw agreat serpent fighting with a lion. Sir Ivaine stopped to watchthis curious combat. At first the two fighters seemed evenlymatched, but soon the huge serpent wrapped all its folds aboutthe lion and began squeezing it to death. When Sir Ivaine sawthis, he drew his sword and killed the serpent. 

When the lion was free, it bounded up to Sir Ivaine, and he wasafraid that it meant to kill him; but it fawned at his feet likea spaniel. He stroked it, and put his arms about its neck. Whenhe mounted his horse, the beast followed him, refusing to goaway. Then Sir Ivaine made up his mind that they were to becompanions. 

For many days the two kept close together, and at night SirIvaine would go to sleep with his head on the lion's neck. Oneday, as they came to a square castle set in a meadow, some peoplewho stood on the castle walls began to shoot arrows at the lion, but Sir Ivaine stopped them, telling them that the animal wastame. 

Then they told him that it was their rule that no one should passby that castle without doing battle with their lord. Sir Ivainetold them that he was quite willing to obey their rule; so theyopened the castle gate. They said he must make his lion stayoutside, but Sir Ivaine refused to do this. He promised, however, to make the lion lie down quietly; then the two were allowed toenter. 

The courtyard was a large paved place, in which there were ascore of armed men. Presently the lord of the castle cameforward. This lord was much larger than Sir Ivaine, and the lion, on seeing him, began to lash its tail. But Sir Ivaine ordered itto be still, and it at once obeyed. 

Then Sir Ivaine and the knight battled together. The knight waspowerful, but Sir Ivaine was very agile and skillful. He was notable to strike so hard as could his enemy, but he was better ableto avoid blows. Therefore it was not long before he got theadvantage and overthrew the lord. 

When this happened, the lord called for help, and ordered hisarmed men to kill Sir Ivaine. The whole twenty began to obey thistreacherous order, but just as they were about to fall upon SirIvaine, the lion bounded among them, roaring savagely. With a fewstrokes of its powerful paws it disabled the men. Sir Ivainetold the lord of the castle that he must ride to Camelot and givehimself up to Arthur to be judged for his treachery. Then SirIvaine rode away from the castle; and now that the lion had savedhis life, he became very fond of the animal. 

[Illustration: _"He dismounted and poured water into thefountain"_]

After many days of travel, Sir Ivaine reached the forest in themidst of which was the castle of the Black Knight. He rode to theplatform of stone, dismounted and poured water into the fountain. As before, a storm arose, and at its height the Black Knightappeared. 

He recognized the armor of Sir Ivaine, and said:

"Aha! I see I did not kill you before, but you shall not escapeme this time. "

"The best man shall win, " said Sir Ivaine, cheerfully. 

Then the two began a great combat. Their swords clashed so thatthe noise of the fountain was drowned; they fought so eagerlythat they were not even aware of the storm. It was not longbefore the Black Knight began to grow weak from the many powerfuland death-dealing strokes from Sir Ivaine's sword. At last, seeing that he was mortally wounded, the Black Knight turned hishorse and galloped in the direction of his castle. 

Ordering the lion to stay where it had lain during the combat, Sir Ivaine followed. But he could not quite catch up with theBlack Knight, although gaining on him inch by inch. By the timethe castle moat was reached, Sir Ivaine was only five feetbehind. The horses thundered one after the other over the bridge. The Black Knight rode under the portcullis, or sharp iron gate, which was raised. The instant he was inside, the portcullis fell, in order to shut out Sir Ivaine. 

But Sir Ivaine had already passed beneath it, and as it fell hishorse was cut in two. Even the long plume in Sir Ivaine's helmetwas shorn off, and lay outside the gate. 

Sir Ivaine sprang to his feet and drew his sword to renew hisattack upon the Black Knight, but he was already dead, and layacross his panting horse's neck. 

Then Sir Ivaine realized what his recklessness had cost him. There he was, alone in a strange castle, the lord of which hehad killed. Soon the people of the castle would come and capturehim, for he could not escape, since the portcullis was down. 

He ran into the castle, and up the stairs leading to the turret. He was fast growing weak from the wounds he had received, and hisarmor was heavy. Moreover, in spite of his care, it clashed atevery step, and he was afraid some one would soon hear him. Hehad all but reached the top of the stairs when the door of theturret room opened, and a little maiden looked down upon him. Hebegged her not to cry out, and telling her who he was and what hehad done, asked her to hide him. 

"I will, " she said, "because you are brave and you are wounded, and because you have killed that wicked tyrant, the Black Knight. He does not own this castle at all; it belongs to a beautifullady, his cousin, who is my mistress. He keeps her here aprisoner because she will not marry him. "

Then the little maiden led him into the turret room. Sheconcealed his armor in a hole in the side of the wall, and toldhim to hide himself between the two mattresses of the bed. Beforehe had time to do so, however, they heard a great noise in thecourtyard, and looking down, saw that the body of the BlackKnight had been discovered. Near it stood a beautiful lady, morebeautiful than any Sir Ivaine had ever seen, except QueenGuinevere. She was dark like the queen, and her eyes were asbright as stars. He would have looked at her a long time, but thelittle maiden begged him to hide without delay. 

"Quick!" she cried. "The men have seen that there is the frontpart of a horse inside the gate, and know that the person who haskilled our lord must be here. Even now they have begun thesearch, for they all love the Black Knight, although my mistressdoes not, and they will hang you if they find you. "

So Sir Ivaine crept between the mattresses, and the little maidenhurried down the stairs and went to her beautiful mistress. Presently Sir Ivaine heard men tramping up the turret steps. They often stopped, trying all the doors they came to, and atlast entered the room in which he lay. One of them, peering intothe hole in the wall where his armor was, said:

"Here is armor. "

But another replied:

"That is some that once was used by our master; there is no needto drag it into the light. "

Then they searched among all the furnishings of the room, butfound no one. At last, as they were leaving, one of the menthrust his sword twice through the mattress. The second thrustcut deeply into Sir Ivaine's arm; but as the knight was brave, hedid not utter a cry. 

When the men had gone, he crept out, and found that the cut inhis arm and his other wounds were bleeding badly. Just then thelittle maiden came in with food. She cried out in alarm when shesaw the blood, and quickly tore a piece of linen from her robefor bandages. When all the wounds had been carefully attended to, she gave him a plentiful supper and promised to take care of himuntil there was a good opportunity for him to escape. 

She visited him every morning, and told him the day's news in thecastle. He learned that a lion kept roaring about the walls, andthat the bowmen had tried to kill it, but could not. Sir Ivainewas sure that it was his lion, and longed to have it, but knewthat this was impossible. And she told him how the people of thecastle had been angry at their lady because she would not marrythe Black Knight; but now that he was dead, acknowledged her asmistress and obeyed her in everything. The little maiden said shethought that if the lady were told that Sir Ivaine was hidden shewould probably see that he had a safe conduct out of the castle. 

"I want never to leave this castle, " said Sir Ivaine; "for I loveyour lady. "

This pleased the little maiden, for she had learned to respectSir Ivaine. So she went to the lady of the castle and told herall about the stranger. The lady had Sir Ivaine moved to a richapartment where she could visit him often and help the littlemaid in her care of him. She did not tell her people, however, that this stranger knight had killed their lord. 

As Sir Ivaine recovered, he soon found courage to tell her howbeautiful she was, and that he loved her more than anything inthe world. He said that if she would marry him, he would staywith her forever, and never seek for more adventures. All heasked was that she would let in his lion, which still continuedto roar outside the castle walls. When the lady heard the storyof the lion, it seemed to her that if Sir Ivaine were so kind toan animal, he would probably be much kinder to her. 

So she said that she would marry him. The people of the castlesaw and liked him, and agreed to obey him as their lord. Whenthey were told that the lion they had tried to kill belonged tohim and must be admitted to the castle, they showed some fear. Sir Ivaine told them that there was no need of this, for thebeast was very gentle, and was making noise only because of itsdesire for its master. He went outside the castle walls andcalled. Soon there was heard a loud roaring; a big yellow bodybounded out of the forest, and the lion came leaping to itsmaster's feet. It frisked about him, and rubbed its head on hisarm, just as a favorite dog might do. When the people saw howtame it was, they were no longer afraid. 

Sir Ivaine and the beautiful lady were soon married, and for along time everyone was very happy. Sir Ivaine sent a letter toKing Arthur telling the result of his adventure. Soon themessenger returned bearing rich gifts from the king andGuinevere, and an invitation to come to Camelot whenever theywished to. The lady, however, persuaded Sir Ivaine to promise toremain with her in her castle. 

One day a party of the Knights of the Round Table rode into thecourtyard. They were going on a great adventure, and stopped bythe way to see how Sir Ivaine and his beautiful wife fared. WhenSir Ivaine saw them, all his old-time love of fighting came back, and he went to his lady and begged her to let him go with theknights. 

"Ah, my Ivaine, " she said, "you told me that you would neverleave me. "

"A knight ought to seek adventures, " he said. "And I will returnto you. "

She paused for a while and then said:

"I will let you go if you will promise to come back in a year anda day; that is, next Whitsuntide. "

He gladly promised, and she said:

"If you break this promise, I will never see you again. "

But Sir Ivaine was sure he would not break the promise, becausehe loved her too much for that. 

So off he rode with the knights, followed by his faithful lion. The lady and the little maiden waved farewells to Sir Ivaine fromthe tower until they could no longer see him; then they againtook up the life they had lived before he came to the castle. 

Sir Ivaine rode with the knights for many months, and had manyadventures. At last, just as the year was drawing to a close, hestarted homeward. On the way, however, he stopped at Arthur'sCourt to pay his respects to the king and the queen. They bothremembered him and greeted him kindly. 

A great tournament was being held at that time in Camelot, andthe king asked Sir Ivaine if he would like to take part. SirIvaine was pleased, for he loved the display of such combats. During the three days of the tournament he distinguished himselfgreatly. 

On the evening of the third day, as the knights were sitting inthe great hall of the Round Table, a little maiden entered. Shewent up to King Arthur and gave him a ring. 

"This ring, " she said, "is one Sir Ivaine gave my lady. Shereturns it, and has vowed never to see him again because he hasbroken his promise to her. "

Then, before any one could stop her, she left the hall, mountedher horse, and rode away. Sir Ivaine sprang to his feet, staringwildly. Whitsuntide had fallen on the first day of the tournament, his year and a day had more than passed, and he had forgotten hispromise!

He rushed from the hall and down the hill through the streets ofCamelot, out of the city gate, and into the forest. He ran on andon until he fell exhausted. 

The next day he awoke in a fever, and would have died but for hisfaithful lion. The poor animal tried to make Sir Ivaine rise, butseeing that he could not, dragged him to the edge of a brook, where he could drink when he was thirsty. The lion also broughthim game. At first Sir Ivaine would not touch it, but finallybegan to eat it raw. 

After a time he became better, physically, but his senses weregone. In his madness he wandered all through the woods, fightingwith the trees and bushes. The lion always followed him, protecting him from other animals and from men. 

One day when the lion was absent finding food, Sir Ivaine layasleep. A good hermit came up to him, and pitying his condition, lifted him in his arms and carried him to his hut. He bathed thepoor knight, cut his hair, and put a robe upon him. He was layinghim upon a bed when the lion came roaring to the door and dashedit open. 

When it saw the hermit tending its master, it fawned at his feet. After that Sir Ivaine spent much of his time in the hut. The lionsupplied him with food, bringing meat to the hermit, who alwaysdivided it into four parts: three parts he gave to the lion, andone he cooked for Sir Ivaine and himself. 

Sometimes Sir Ivaine would run away from the hermit and wanderfor days in the forest. The lion took care of him, and always ledhim back to the hermit's hut. Once, however, Sir Ivaine set forthin the direction of his wife's castle. At night the lion tried totake him to the hut, but in vain. For days he wandered, always inthe same direction, until at last he reached the wood where thestone platform was. He laid himself down upon it and slept. Soona lady and a maid appeared. The lion sprang at them, but when itreached their feet, it licked the lady's hand, for she was itsmistress. 

It took her robe in its teeth and pulled her gently to the spotwhere Sir Ivaine lay. At first she would not look at him, because she had not forgiven him for breaking his promise. Butthe little maiden said:

"Dear mistress, look at him. The story which the knights ofArthur's Court told us about his madness must be true. If youwill but look at his face you will see that it is the face of aman who has lost his senses. "

Then the lady knelt beside him. When she saw his worn featuresand his tattered garments, she began to believe that he reallyhad lost his senses from grief. She sent the little maiden to thecastle for an ointment she had. It was so powerful that if itwere rubbed over a person who was ill, it would cure him, nomatter what his disease was. When the little maid brought it, thelady put it upon Sir Ivaine, but so gently as not to rouse him. 

After several hours, Sir Ivaine awoke. At first he hardly knewwhere he was, but soon he recollected all that had happened, andseeing his lady near, begged her to forgive him. This she did, and they were reconciled. Sir Ivaine was sure that he wouldnever again forget to keep a promise. 

For some months they lived very happily in the castle. Then theywent to Camelot in order to be near to Arthur and the Knights ofthe Round Table. 

[Illustration: The Holy Grail]

[Illustration] SIR BALIN

In Arthur's Court there dwelt a poor knight named Balin, who hadaccidentally killed the cousin of King Arthur, and had been takento the court of the king for trial. He had lived there almost asa prisoner for six months, until it was decided that he had notmeant to do wrong. All his money was gone, and his clothes andarmor were poor. He was sorry for this, but he was still moresorry that he was not doing brave deeds like the other knights. 

One day when he sat in the great hall at Camelot, looking at theshields which were carved or covered with gold, a damsel enteredwho wore a rich mantle, trimmed with fur. As Arthur and theknights looked at her, she let it fall to the floor, and they sawthat she wore a heavy sword. 

"Damsel, " said Arthur, "why do you, a maiden, wear a sword?"

"Alas!" said the maiden, "I should be glad if I did not wear it. It is very heavy, and causes me pain. But I am forced to wear ituntil I meet a knight who can take it from me. "

"Surely many knights could do that, and gladly, " the lords said. 

"No, " said the lady. "It seems that there is but one knight inall the world who is to take the sword. I heard that there werebrave knights at the Court of King Rience, the enemy of KingArthur, and I went there. Yet no one could unfasten the sword. Now am I come here on the same errand. "

"In truth, damsel, " said the king, "you are right welcome. Myknights shall try to take your weapon. "

Then, at a sign from Arthur, a knight stepped forward. But, eventhough he exerted all his strength, the sword could not beunfastened. 

"Sir, you need not pull so hard, " said the damsel. "The one whois to take the sword will do so easily. "

All the knights tried except Sir Balin, who stood back because ofhis poor clothes. Yet he wanted very much to see if he was thechosen knight, and just as the damsel was going away, he said:

"Damsel, will you let me try? I am poorly clothed, but my hearttells me that I may succeed. "

The damsel saw that he had a good face. But his clothes were sopoor she doubted if he were really a knight. 

"I am afraid you will fail, " she said. 

"Ah, maiden, " he returned, "poor clothes are but the outside. Good deeds are just as worthy, whether done by a rich person or apoor one. Many a man who is badly clothed has real valor andkindness. "

"That is very true, " she said; "so try, good sir. "

Then Sir Balin seized the hilt of the sword, and the weapon cameaway easily. All the lords wondered, and the lady said:

"You are a good knight, the best I have met. You shall do manybrave deeds. And now, give me my sword again. "

"No, " said Sir Balin, "I should like to keep this sword, for Ihave no other. "

"Alas!" said the maiden, "I am sorry to hear these words, for nowI must give you the sword. "

"Surely he deserves it, " said Arthur, "for it weighed heavily onyou. "

"Yes, " she replied, "but it is a misfortune for him to keep it. He shall slay with it the best friend he has in the world. It isgoing to prove his destruction. "

Sir Balin would not believe her. 

"I could not slay my best friend, " he said. "Besides, I amwilling to meet whatever happens, and I wish to keep the sword. "

Then the maiden departed in great sorrow, while Balin said to theking:

"My lord, give me permission to leave your court. "

"I do not like to lose you, " said the king. "Perhaps you areangry because you were in prison so long. You must know that ittakes time to find out who is innocent and who is guilty. "

"My lord, " answered Sir Balin, "I know it is not wise to make ajudgment hastily, and I do not blame you for keeping me inprison. I love you, and wish to leave your court that I may dosome deed worthy of the Round Table. "

Then Arthur said that he might go. Soon a servant brought toBalin a fine horse and good armor which were the gifts of theking. Balin at once took leave of Arthur and the knights, androde away, singing as he rode, for he was very happy. Sometimeshe stopped to lift up his shield and admire it. It had a blueemblem upon it, and to Sir Balin's eyes its beauty was that ofthe sky, the soft blue of heaven. 

Sir Balin rode until he was tired. At last, from the crest of ahill, he saw a gloomy stone castle, and galloped towards itjoyfully, hoping to rest there. 

At a turn of the road, he saw a cross with gold letters upon it. He stopped to read the words, which were: "Let no knight go tothe castle, for great danger is there. "

"Oh, " said Sir Balin, "I am used to danger. I fear nothing, " andhe went on. 

Presently an old man started up beside the road. He had a longgray beard, and was dressed in a long gray robe that sparkledwith little specks of frost. The old man said to Sir Balin:

"Did you not read the letters on the cross?"

"Yes, " replied Sir Balin, "but I am not afraid. "

"Oh, Sir Balin, you of all men should fear to go to that castle, "the old man said. 

"Why?" he asked in amazement. "Nevertheless, I shall go. "

"Sir Balin, Sir Balin!" cried the old man after him, "you are tooself-willed. You will be very sorry for what you have done beforeyou die. "

But Sir Balin rode on without fear, and soon reached the gate ofthe castle. A hundred beautiful ladies and many knights welcomedhim. They took off his armor and put a rich crimson cloak uponhis shoulders. Then they led him into a banquet hall where therewas music and dancing. They set food before him, and he ate, thankfully. He was very happy, feeling sure that he could resthere for many days. 

Just as he was thinking this, the lady who was mistress of thecastle said:

"Sir knight, it is the rule of this castle that every lord whocomes here as a guest must fight. "

"That is a hard custom, " said Sir Balin. 

"Yet you need fight but once, " answered the lady. "We have herethe knight who entered just before you came. "

"Alas!" said Sir Balin, "I would rather not fight, for I wish torest. Since such is the custom of the castle, however, I must domy part. Let some one bring my armor. "

A servant at once came up to him with a suit of black armor. 

"This is not my armor, " said Sir Balin. "My armor is not paintedblack. It is honest gray steel, decorated with blue. "

"It is the custom of the castle to wear black, " they told him. "This armor is as good as your own. "

Sir Balin felt sad, he could hardly tell why; and was very sorrythat he had ever come to the castle. Putting on the armor, however, he went into the courtyard and mounted his horse. Nosooner was he ready than another knight, clad all in black, entered the courtyard. 

The two knights rode together so fiercely that the shock threwthem both off their horses in a swoon. After a time theyrecovered and began to fight on foot, pressing each other nearthe walls of the castle. 

Sir Balin was fighting with the sword that he had taken from thedamsel in King Arthur's Court. It was a strong sword, andwhenever it struck, the armor of his opponent cracked. Theyfought till their breath failed, and then they rested. Each knewthat never before had he dealt with such a strong enemy. 

Then they fought again, and gave each other seven deep wounds, the least of which would prove fatal. All the ground was red withblood, but Sir Balin fought on still, for the people of thecastle were watching from the walls, and he wished to be thoughta great warrior. So at last he used all his remaining strengthand gave the other knight such a hard blow that he fell to theground. Sir Balin knew that it was a death stroke. He felt thathe, too, was about to die, and said:

"Who are you? I never fought with such a strong knight before. "

The other answered faintly:

"I am Sir Balan, the brother to the good knight Sir Balin. "

Then Sir Balin cried out:

"Alas, alas! that I should live to see this day!" and he fellbackward in a swoon. 

Sir Balan was dying, but he crawled on his hands and knees towhere Sir Balin lay, and took off his helmet only to discover theface of his brother. Then he wept bitterly till Sir Balinrecovered from his swoon. 

"Alas!" said Sir Balan, "if we had but worn our own armor weshould have known each other. And now we must die; we have killedeach other. "

[Illustration: _"They fought till their breath failed"_]

Sir Balin was too full of remorse to weep. 

"All this is my fault, " he said. "As the old man on the road toldme, I have been too self-willed. First, I would have the damsel'ssword, although she told me that I should slay with it the bestfriend I had. That is you, Balan. And then I would enter thiscastle in spite of warnings. I deserve to die, but it is a hardpunishment that I should have killed you, my brother. "

Soon some ladies came from the wall into the courtyard, and tothem Sir Balin said:

"We are two dear brothers who have killed each other. I pray you, promise to bury us in the same grave. "

The ladies wept as they made the promise. The two brothers puttheir arms about each other and waited for death. They hoped todie together, but Sir Balan died first. Soon after, when SirBalin had also died, the ladies buried them together, and put astone above the grave, telling the sad story of their combat anddeath. 

[Illustration] SIR GERAINT AND ENID

One of the bravest knights in King Arthur's Court was SirGeraint. Once he was in the forest with Queen Guinevere and oneof her maidens, when a lady, a knight, and a dwarf rode by. Thequeen told the maiden to go to the dwarf and ask who his masterwas. 

As the maiden approached them, she saw that the knight had a veryproud face. She asked the dwarf his master's name, but he said, roughly:

"I do not know. "

"If you do not know, " answered the maiden, "I will ask himmyself. "

She started to ride up to the knight, but the dwarf struck at herwith his whip. Upon this, she went back and told the queen andSir Geraint what had passed. Sir Geraint was very angry, and hesaid to the queen:

"Fair queen, I will ride after this knight and his dwarf andavenge the insult done to your maiden. If I succeed, I shallreturn in three days. "

"Do so, " said the queen, "and I trust you will succeed, not onlyin this, but in all things which you attempt. Some day you willlove some fair lady. Before you marry her, bring her to me, andno matter how poor or how rich she may be, I will clothe her forher wedding in the most beautiful garments in the world. Theyshall shine like the sun. "

So off rode Sir Geraint, keeping at some distance behind thelady, the knight, and the dwarf. At last, after passing throughmany woods, he lost sight of them as they disappeared beyond thetop of a hill. Sir Geraint rode up, and saw below him, in avalley, the one street of a little town. On one side was afortress, so new that the stone of which it was built was stillwhite; while on the other side stood a gray old castle, fastfalling into decay. He saw the three people he was followingenter the fortress. 

In the little town there was a great deal of noise and bustle. Atfirst Sir Geraint could not find any place to stay, for thehouses were all full. He stopped before a servant who wasscouring his master's armor, and asked what all the noise meant. The servant said:

"The Sparrow-hawk, " and went on working. 

Then he met an old man carrying a sack of corn, and asked him thesame question. The old man made the same reply. Next Sir Geraintapproached one who was making armor, and questioned him. Withoutlooking up the man replied:

"Friend, he who works for the Sparrow-hawk has little time foranswering questions. "

Sir Geraint was vexed, and said:

"I am weary of hearing of your Sparrow-hawk. I do not understandwhat you mean. Will you not tell me where I can find a place tostay for to-night? And will you not sell me some armor? I havebut my sword. "

Then the man looked up, and said:

"Your pardon, sir. We are all very busy here, for to-morrow wehold a tournament, and our work is not half done. I cannot giveyou armor, for we need all that we have in the town. As tolodging, all the room is taken. However, perhaps Earl Iniol inthe castle will receive you. "

Sir Geraint rode over to the gray old castle, and as the gate wasopen, entered the ruined courtyard. Dismounting, he went into thehall. Here he found the earl, an elderly man dressed in clotheswhich had once been handsome, but were now old and worn. To himSir Geraint said:

"Good sir, I seek lodging for the night. "

The old Earl Iniol answered:

"Sir, I was once rich and am now poor; nevertheless, I willgladly give you the best I have. "

As he spoke, some one in the castle began to sing. The voice wasvery sweet. Sir Geraint thought he had never heard anyone sing sowonderfully. 

"That is my daughter Enid, " said the earl. 

Then he took Sir Geraint into a room in which sat an old lady ina faded velvet gown. She was the earl's wife. By her side stoodEnid in a faded silk gown. She was as beautiful as her voice wassweet, and after watching her, Sir Geraint said to himself:

"I already love this maiden. "

He said nothing out loud, only looked at her. Earl Iniol spoke toher:

"Enid, this good knight will stay with us. His horse is in thecourtyard; take it to the stall and give it corn. Then go intothe town and buy us some food. "

Sir Geraint wished to put away his horse himself, but the oldearl said:

"Sir, we are very poor, but we cannot permit our guest to do anywork. I pray you, stay here. "

So Enid took the horse to the stall. After that, she went intothe town and soon returned with meat and sweet cakes. Then, because most of the rooms in the old castle were in ruins, shecooked the meat in the same hall in which they were to eat. Whenthe meal was ready, she waited on her father and her mother andSir Geraint. The knight watched her and loved her more and more. 

When they had risen from the table, he said to the earl:

"My lord, pray tell me what the people of this town mean whenthey speak of the Sparrow-hawk. "

The earl's face grew sad, as he said:

"That is the name given to the young knight who rules in thistown. "

"Does he live in the fortress?" asked Sir Geraint. "And do a ladyand a dwarf ride with him?"

"Yes, " said the earl. 

"Ah, then he is the man I am in search of, " said Sir Geraint. "Imust fight with him before three days are over. I am Geraint ofKing Arthur's Court. "

"I know your name well, " said the earl. "We often hear of yourgreat deeds at Camelot. Many times have I related to my Enid thestory of your brave deeds. "

"I am bound to do my duty with the other knights, " answered SirGeraint. "And now tell me more of this Sparrow-hawk. "

"Alas! he is my nephew, " said the earl. "At one time I ruled thistown. My nephew, the Sparrow-hawk, was powerful, too, and heasked to unite our power by marrying Enid, but neither she nor Iwished it. Then he collected a body of men and attacked me, andtook all my wealth, leaving me nothing but this old castle. "

"To-morrow, " said Sir Geraint, "I will fight in the tournamentwith this Sparrow-hawk, and conquer him, and give you back yourlands. But I lack armor. "

"I can give you armor, although it is old and rusty, " said theearl. "But no one is allowed to fight in this tournament unlessthere is some lady he loves best in all the world. Then he fightsfor the sake of this lady, and if he wins, receives the prize, which he in turn gives to her. "

"What is the prize?" asked Sir Geraint. 

"A hawk, a sparrow-hawk made of gold. This nephew of mine is verystrong and has always overcome every knight who has opposed himin these tournaments, which are held yearly. It is because he haswon the prize so often that he is called the Sparrow-hawk. Buttell me, is there some lady whom you love?"

Then Sir Geraint said:

"I love this child of yours, my lord, and will gladly make her mywife if you will permit it. "

The earl was very glad, but Enid was afraid, for she thought shewas not worthy of such a great knight. Yet, she knew she lovedhim, and said so, and soon promised to go with him to Arthur'sCourt within three days. 

The next morning, the earl and Sir Geraint and Enid went to thefield where the tournament was to take place. Many knights andladies were there. The ladies sat under a pavilion which wasdraped in purple velvet ornamented with gold, while the knightswere on horseback. A herald blew a trumpet, and the knight whowas called the Sparrow-hawk galloped into the field. 

He rode around it three times, and then went up to the pavilionand said to his lady:

"I give you the gold sparrow-hawk again, because no one dares tofight with me for it. "

Then Sir Geraint rode forward in his rusty armor and said:

"I will fight with you. "

The knight looked upon him, and gave a very scornful laugh as herode at Sir Geraint. The two clashed together and began to fightfiercely, while all the people watched. Twice they had to stopand rest. For a long time they seemed evenly matched, and no onecould decide which would win. But when Sir Geraint looked towhere Enid sat in her faded silk gown among the richly dressedladies in the pavilion, he grew very strong and struck his enemysuch a blow that he fell to the earth. 

"Now, Sparrow-hawk, " said Sir Geraint, "I have overthrown you. You must do two things: you must ride with your lady and yourdwarf to Arthur's Court and ask pardon of Queen Guinevere becauseyour dwarf struck her maiden; and you must restore all the richesyou have taken from your good uncle, Earl Iniol. "

This the knight promised to do. And afterwards, in Arthur'sCourt, he grew very sorry for his evil deeds, and became a goodman. 

Meanwhile, Enid was making ready to go to Arthur's Court with SirGeraint. She was sorry that she had only her robe of faded silk. She remembered a robe her mother had given her before theSparrow-hawk took their riches. It was of velvet, the color ofmother-of-pearl, with gold leaves and flowers and birdsembroidered upon it. 

While she was thinking of this beautiful robe, her mother enteredthe room, carrying it. Enid gave a cry of joy, and her mothertold her that the Sparrow-hawk had just given it back, togetherwith other robes and gold and jewels. "Put it on, Enid, " shesaid, and helped her daughter to array herself in the handsomegown, exclaiming: "How beautiful you look, my dear child! SirGeraint may well be proud to fetch such a fair lady to KingArthur's Court. "

Just then the earl entered to tell them that the knight wantedEnid to ride with him to Camelot in the faded silk dress in whichhe had first seen her. 

Enid, although she was deeply disappointed, at once put on againher faded gown. When Sir Geraint came in he saw that the earl'swife was also disappointed, so he told them that the queen hadpromised to dress his bride in the most beautiful robes in theworld for her wedding. At this both the ladies were much pleased. 

So after bidding farewell to her parents, Enid rode with SirGeraint to Camelot, where the queen welcomed her, and gave her arobe that was as bright as the sun. Then the good Archbishop ofCanterbury married Sir Geraint and Enid amid great rejoicings. 

[Illustration: Two Crossed Swords and a Shield]

[Illustration] ARTHUR AND SIR ACCALON

There was a woman in Arthur's Court named Morgan le Fay, who hadlearned a great deal about magic. She was a wicked woman, andhated the king because he was more powerful than she, and becausehe was so good. 

However, she pretended to be a true friend to him, and the kingbelieved in her. One day when they were talking together, sheasked him if he would not let her take charge of his wonderfulsword Excalibur, and its scabbard. She said that she would guardthem so carefully that they would never be stolen. As she wasvery eager, Arthur granted her request. 

One day in time of peace, King Arthur went out hunting with acertain knight named Sir Accalon, who was the lover of Morgan leFay. They rode for a long time, and when they were tired, stoppedto rest beside a great lake. As they looked over its shiningwaters, they saw a beautiful little ship, which sailed straighttowards them, and ran up to the sands at their feet. It was allcovered with golden silks, which waved in the gentle wind. KingArthur and Sir Accalon climbed into it and examined it thoroughly, but they found no one on board. 

They rested on two couches which were on the deck, until it grewdark. Then they were about to return home, when all at once, ahundred torches, set on the sides of the ship were lighted, andsuddenly there appeared twelve beautiful damsels who told the twothat they were welcome, and that they should be served with abanquet. 

Presently the maidens led the king and the knight into a roomwhich had a table covered with a white cloth embroidered inpurple. It bore many golden dishes, and each dish had a beautifuldesign carved upon it. Some dishes had vine-leaves, othersivy-leaves; some had angels with long robes sweeping back ingraceful lines; and all these dishes held choice food. The kingand Sir Accalon ate to their hearts' content. 

Then the damsels led them into two separate chambers. King Arthurwas tired and so sleepy that he gave but one glance at hisbedroom. He saw that it was hung in red silk embroidered withgold dragons and griffins. Then he threw himself on his bed andslept very soundly. 

When he awoke, he found himself not in the pretty bed-chamber, but in a dark place. He could see nothing, but all about him heheard the sound of complaining and weeping. He was muchbewildered, but in a moment he cried:

"What is this? Where am I?"

Then a voice answered:

"You are in prison, as we are. "

"Who are you?" asked Arthur. 

The voice replied:

"We are twenty knights, prisoners, and some of us have been hereas long as seven years. We are in the dungeons of a wicked lordnamed Sir Damas. He has a younger brother, and the two brothersare enemies, quarreling about their inheritance. Now the youngerbrother, Sir Ontzlake, is very strong, but Sir Damas is notstrong, and moreover, he is a coward. So he tries to find aknight who will fight for him against Sir Ontzlake. 

"But Sir Damas is so much hated that no one will fight for him. So he goes about the country with a body of rough men, andwhenever he sees a knight, he captures him. Then he asks him tofight with Sir Ontzlake. So far, all the knights have refused, and have been thrown into prison. We do not have food enough, butwe would rather die here than fight for Sir Damas, who is sowicked. "

At that moment a damsel entered the prison with a torch, whichfaintly lighted the dismal place, and advanced to the king. 

"Sir, " she said, "will you fight for my lord, Sir Damas? If youwill, you shall be taken from this prison. If you will not, youshall die here. "

Arthur considered for some time, and then said:

"I would rather fight than die in prison. If I fight, will youdeliver also all these prisoners?"

The damsel promised, and Arthur consented to fight. While shewent to tell Sir Damas, Arthur said to the other prisoners:

"My friends, I do not know Sir Damas, and I do not know SirOntzlake. I do not know whether they are bad or good. But I willfight, and then, when I have conquered, I shall judge betweenthem, and do justice to both. "

"That is a good plan, " said the knights, "but why are you so surethat you will conquer?"

"I am Arthur, the King, " he replied. 

At that the knights set up a great cry of joy, and the kingcontinued:

"I shall send for my good sword Excalibur and the scabbard, andwith these I shall surely win. "

So when Arthur and the knights were led out of prison, the kingsent the damsel who had visited them to Morgan le Fay for hissword and scabbard. 

Meantime, the knight who had accompanied Arthur on the littleship, Sir Accalon, also awoke. He found himself in the palace ofMorgan le Fay, and he wondered very much where Arthur was. Hewent to the lady, who said to him:

"My dear lord, the day has come when you can have great power ifyou want it. Should you like to be king of this land, instead ofArthur?"

Now Sir Accalon was a traitor at heart. He wanted very much to beking, even if the good Arthur was to be killed; so he said:

"Yes, truly. "

Then she said:

"You shall be king, and I shall be your queen. All you need to dois to fight a great battle, which you shall win. I have beenusing my magic. It was I who sent the ship of silk to you andArthur. I had him put into prison, and I had you brought here. "

Sir Accalon wondered very much. Then she told him of the fightKing Arthur was to make against Sir Ontzlake. 

"But I have caused Sir Ontzlake to fall sick, " she said, "and hecannot fight. I shall go with you to his castle and you can offerto fight for him. "

"I to fight with the king!" cried Sir Accalon. "He would surelyoverthrow me. "

"He cannot, " said Morgan le Fay, "because you are to fight withhis sword. A little while ago he sent to me for Excalibur and thescabbard, but I returned him a false sword which looks likeExcalibur, and a false scabbard. You shall take the true ones, and then you shall surely overcome him and rule this land. "

Then Sir Accalon was glad, and he hastened with the lady to thecastle of Sir Ontzlake. They found him groaning because he wasill and because Sir Damas had sent him a challenge to fight witha knight, and he could not accept it. He was much relieved whenMorgan le Fay told him that Sir Accalon would fight in his place. 

Early in the afternoon, King Arthur and Sir Accalon rode into thefield where the combat was to be held. Arthur did not know whoSir Accalon was, nor did any one else, except Morgan le Fay. Twosides of the field were full of people who came to watch, half ofwhom were friends of Sir Damas, and the other half were friendsof Sir Ontzlake. 

Arthur and Sir Accalon rode at each other so furiously that atthe shock of the meeting both fell off their horses. Then theybegan to fight fiercely with their swords. The king could make noheadway with his false steel, but whenever Sir Accalon struck atArthur he drew blood. 

The king was much amazed. He grew weaker and weaker, but still hekept on his feet. Those who watched him were sorry for him; theythought they had never seen a man fight so bravely. At lastArthur's sword broke, and fell in two pieces on the ground. WhenSir Accalon saw this, he cried:

"Now, yield to me. "

"I will never yield, " said the king, "and if you do not get meanother sword, you will be shamed before all men, for it is anunknightly thing to fight with a defenseless man. "

"I do not care, " said Sir Accalon. "If you will not yield, defendyourself with your shield as best you can. "

He rushed at the king. Arthur was so weak that he could hardlystand, but he guarded himself as well as he could with hisshield. Soon he could do no more, and fell to the ground. 

At this moment the Lady of the Lake, who had given Arthur hissword, came upon the field. She was invisible, but anyone who hadlistened intently could have heard a sound like the ripple ofwater as she walked. She caused Excalibur to fall out of the handof Sir Accalon and drop near Arthur. 

When it fell, Arthur saw that it was his own Excalibur. Hegrasped its handle and some of his strength came back. Hestruggled to his feet, and rushing up to Sir Accalon, seized thescabbard of Excalibur and threw it far over the field. 

"Now, " he said, "send for a second sword and fight with me. "

Then Sir Accalon was afraid. Yet he thought that Arthur was soweak that he could still be overcome. So he sent for a secondsword, and they began to fight again. Arthur's strength, however, had largely returned, and in a short time he gave Sir Accalon amortal stroke. 

Sir Accalon fell to the ground, and the king, leaning over him, cried:

"Tell me who you are. "

Then Sir Accalon was filled with remorse, and he said:

"Oh, my king, I have been a traitor to you, but now I am dying, and I am sorry for what I have done. I deserve my death. "

He told the king his name, and all about his treachery, and thatof Morgan le Fay. 

King Arthur was sad. 

"It is very hard to be deceived in a friend, " he said, "but Iforgive you freely. I will try to cure your wound, and sometime Ishall trust you again. "

"You cannot cure me, " said Sir Accalon. "I am dying. Let themcarry me off the field. "

So he was taken to a neighboring abbey, while the people crowdedabout the king to congratulate him, but Arthur said:

"I am sad at heart. My victory is no comfort to me, for to-day Ihave lost a friend whom I believed true. "

Then he called the two brothers, Sir Damas and Sir Ontzlake, andjudged their cause. He decided that their property must bedivided equally between them, and that they must be friends. Theypromised never to quarrel again. Arthur told them that they mustbe kind to other knights and to all people. He said that if heheard that they were not, he would come and punish them. 

After this, Sir Damas gave back to the twenty knights all theirmoney, and they went on their way rejoicing. King Arthur mountedhis horse and rode over to the abbey, where he sat by the bed ofSir Accalon till the poor knight died. Then the king went backalone to his Court at Camelot. 

[Illustration: The Holy Grail]

[Illustration] HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH A GIANT

Once upon a time King Arthur and some of his knights were sailingin a ship. The king, being tired, went to sleep in his cabin, andbegan to dream. It seemed to him that he was sailing with hispeople when a great dragon flew out of the west. This dragon hada blue head and a gold back. Underneath he shone like a rainbow. Flames of fire rushed out of his mouth and covered land and sea. 

As he flew, there came out of the east a great bear, very rough, and as black as coal, and with wings that flapped like windmills. The bear and the dragon roared loudly, and they began to fightand struggle till the sea was all red with blood. At last thedragon conquered. 

When the king awoke from this dream he sent for Merlin and toldhim of it, and asked for an explanation. 

"My lord, " Merlin replied, "the dragon betokens yourself; thecolors on its body are signs of your glory. The bear betokenssome tyrant who torments the people and whom you will slay. "

Soon after this, the ship in which the company was, came in sightof land. When they had anchored, the knights noticed on the beacha crowd of people who were weeping. Descending from the ship, Arthur asked one of the men what troubled them, and what was thename of their country. 

"Good sir, " returned the man, "this is the country of Brittany, and we weep because our county is desolated by a giant. He makesus bring him food. First, he ate up all the oxen we had, and thenour horses. Next he demanded our children, and now there are nolittle ones in the land. To-day he took our good duchess ofBrittany, and carried her off to his mountain. "

"Alas!" said the king. "It grieves me to hear this, not onlybecause a cruel deed has been done, but because the duchess ofBrittany is my cousin's wife. I must save this lady. I will fightwith the giant. "

"Good sir, " cried the people in amazement, "it is not possible! Awhole company of us dare not attack him, and yet we accountourselves brave men. "

"That may well be, " replied Arthur, "and yet with my good swordand scabbard, I have no fear. "

Then the men said:

"If you will go, my lord, yonder is the great mountain where thegiant lives. At the top, two huge fires burn continually in frontof a cave, and in that cave are greater treasures than you candream of. They are all yours if you will but slay this monster. "

Arthur replied nothing to them, but called Sir Kay and SirBedivere, and rode with them to the foot of the mountain. Fromthat point he ascended alone. When he was nearly to the top hecame upon a woman, clad all in black, who sat weeping by the sideof a newly-made grave. 

"Good woman, why do you weep?" asked Arthur. 

"Hush, hush!" she cried, "or the giant will hear you and come andkill you. He can hear me, but the sound of weeping delights him, and therefore I need not restrain my grief. "

"Why do you grieve?" the king asked. 

"Alas! Because my good mistress, the duchess of Brittany, isdead. The giant has killed her. "

At that Arthur gripped tightly the handle of his sword and said:

"I will kill this wretch before I am an hour older. "

"Ah, my lord, " said the woman, "the greatest kings in the countryare afraid of him. He has a coat embroidered with the beards offifteen of them. He demanded these beards as a sign that theyacknowledged him as lord. "

"There is at least one king who does not acknowledge him aslord, " shouted Arthur, as he strode hastily forward. 

When he reached the top he saw the giant asleep in front of thetwo great fires before the cave. He was taller than the tallestpine that ever grew. His arms were as big as the trunk of an oaktree. His mouth was as large as a cave, and from it and hisnostrils came forth fire and flame like that from the mountain ofVesuvius. Although his huge eyes were closed, flashes oflightning seemed to shoot from beneath the lids. At his side wasan iron club as large as a steeple. About him stood trembling oldwomen fanning him as he slept. 

King Arthur approached the monster, and said to him:

"Wretch, awake and fight, for your hour has come. "

The giant, starting up, looked down scornfully upon the king and, laughing, threw his great club at Arthur. But the king leaptaside and the club fell harmlessly on the ground, making a hollowwhere it struck. 

Then Arthur rushed toward the giant, waving his good swordExcalibur. The giant caught him in his arms, in order to squeezehim to death. The king's armor pressed closer and closer abouthim, and he began to lose his strength. But he kept his hand uponhis scabbard, and so did not die. 

In a few minutes the monster, making sure that Arthur was dead, dropped him to the ground. After the king had recovered himself, he sprang to his feet, and taking his sword, threw it at thegiant. The good steel pierced his neck, and he sank to theground, shouting so loudly that Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere at thefoot of the mountain heard, and trembled for their master'ssafety. 

Then the giant again seized Arthur in his arms, and the two beganto roll down the mountain side. Whenever Arthur was able to, hestruck at the giant with his dagger, wounding him sorely. Atlast, still struggling and rolling, they came to the spot whereSir Kay and Sir Bedivere were. These two loosed the giant's armsfrom the king, who then gave one last blow to the monster, killing him. Then he sent Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere for his swordExcalibur. 

When the people on the seashore heard what Arthur had done, theyfell on their knees and thanked him, offering him all the giant'streasure. He said, however, that he would leave it with them todivide among the poor people of the country. For himself, all hewanted was the giant's iron club. 

The people sent fifty men to the top of the mountain to get itfor him. As they had no horses, it was a long time before theycould drag the club to the seashore. There they put it on abarge. It was so heavy that it pressed the barge down till thewater came almost to the edge of the vessel. Then King Arthurbade the people good-by, and took ship with his knights. Thegrateful men of Brittany stood on the shore, and shouted andwaved until the ship could no longer be seen. 

[Illustration: The Shield]

[Illustration] HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH ROME

In the time of the great Roman, Julius Cæsar, about five hundredyears before King Arthur was born, the people of Rome conqueredBritain. They made many improvements in the land, building roadsand walls, the remains of which may be seen to this day. But theyalso forced the Britons to pay them much money. All the kings didthis up to the time of Arthur. He, however, considered thatEngland was his own. He had conquered the lesser kings, and madeone realm of all the land, over which he ruled with wisegovernment. So he refused to send any money to Rome. 

Once King Arthur's knights were all together in the great hall. It was a time of peace, and they spent the days in riding andhunting. On this day, while the king was sitting on his throne, twelve old men entered, each bearing a branch of olive, as a signthat they came in peace. They were the messengers of the emperorof Rome, and, after bowing to the king, they said:

"Sir, our mighty emperor sends you greeting, and commands you toacknowledge him as lord, and to send him the money due him fromyour realm. Your father and his predecessors did this, and somust you. If you refuse, the emperor will make such war againstyou that it will be an example to all the world. "

At this the young knights laid their hands to their swords, butthe older knights, who had self-control enough to hide theirfeelings, waited to see what the king would do. 

Arthur bowed courteously to the messengers, and told them that hewould soon give them an answer. He commanded a knight to takethem to a lodging, and to see that they had all they needed, andhe ordered that no harm should be done them. Then he called acouncil of his great lords and asked their advice. 

Sir Lancelot, Arthur's favorite lord, spoke first, saying:

"My lord, we have rested for many weeks, and can make sharp warnow. In days gone by, we should not have dared attack the Romans, and indeed, our attempt will make the world wonder. But of atruth, we ought to fight. "

Then spoke King Angus of Scotland:

"My lord Arthur, you are the greatest lord on earth. You havemade all of us lesser kings your subjects, and bound the kingdomtogether, and stopped our civil wars. We love you and we willhelp you. We pray you to make war on these Romans. When theyruled our elders, they demanded much gold and made our peoplevery poor. If you will fight, I will furnish you with twentythousand men, and will bear all the cost of them myself. "

Then all the other lords promised to furnish men and arms. WhenArthur heard this, he was glad of their courage and good will. He called in the messengers and said to them:

"Return to your emperor. Tell him that I refuse his command, forI owe him nothing. I have won this kingdom by my own strength. Tell him that I shall come with all my army to Rome and make himacknowledge me as lord. "

Then Arthur told his treasurer to give the messengers gifts, andto take them safely out of the country. Sir Lancelot conductedthem to the sea, where they took ship and sailed to France. Onthey journeyed over the Alps and into Italy. When they told theemperor of Rome their message, he said:

"I had thought Arthur would yield. "

But the messengers said:

"Sir, his face would have told you, if you had seen it, that hewould never yield. In truth, there is need of fear, for he is agreat king and surrounded by great knights. "

"This is foolish talk, " the emperor said. "Remember that we areRomans. We have ruled the world for centuries, and a little kingof little England shall not make us fear. You say that he iscoming to fight with us. We will take a few troops and goforthwith to France to meet him. "

The messengers begged the emperor to take many troops. 

"My lord emperor, " they said, "these men of Arthur are verynumerous and very brave. "

So at last the emperor brought all his men to France, and there, whenever he found people who were loyal to Arthur, he killed andlaid waste. 

Meanwhile, Arthur had gathered together all his troops. He badefarewell to Queen Guinevere, who was so grieved that she fell ina swoon. Then he rode off at the head of his men till they cameto the sea, and there they embarked in ten thousand boats andsailed to France. 

They marched till they came near to the troops of the emperor ofRome, where they rested for the night. In the morning they roseat dawn and looked at the Roman legions. These were encamped in agreen field which glittered with the gold on their tents andarmor. The emperor's tent was of purple silk and bore on the topa golden eagle, the emblem of Rome. 

Two of Arthur's knights, Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, rode out tothe emperor, and told him that their king had come. 

"That I see, " said the emperor laughing, "and he shall soonreturn. "

The two knights made no answer, but rode back to Arthur. Soon allthe soldiers on each side made ready for fighting. The preparationwas careful, for they knew that the contest was to be a greatone. The emperor of Rome addressed his soldiers:

"Romans, remember that Rome is the chief city of the world. I donot say fight as men; I say to you, fight as Romans. Then youwill surely conquer these Britains. "

King Arthur galloped up and down before the front rank of hismen, looking at them carefully. He was on a beautiful white horsewhose mane rose and fell in the wind like a wave of the sea. Hissoldiers cheered lustily for their beloved commander. Then KingArthur raised his hand for silence, and spoke in a loud, clearvoice:

"My knights and men whom I love, remember that you are fightingto-day for your rights and for the independence of Britain. Strike well, and do not forget that great courage is as powerfulas great numbers. "

With that, he gave the signal for attack. The Romans stood infull battle array with their emperor in front. Beside him weresixteen kings with gold helmets and silver armor. The Englishapproached, shouting a battle-cry. 

Then the Romans, at the call of the trumpet, rushed forward, andin a moment the two great armies clashed together. Clouds of dustarose through which could be seen at intervals the heads ofhorses and the helmets of men. The few poor shepherds and womenwho stood on the outside did not know that the greatest battle ofthe time was going on under that cloud of dust. 

[Illustration: _"King Arthur raising his hand for silence"_]

Inside the cloud there was great confusion. Britains and Romanswere fighting side by side, so closely packed that sometimes itwas hard to strike. All fought bravely, but no one did so well asArthur and Sir Lancelot. The battle did not cease until it wasdark. Each side had lost many men. King Arthur wept as he rodeover the field and counted his dead knights, and even hisbeautiful horse drooped its head as if it, also, understood. 

But the next day the two armies began to fight again, and whenthe emperor finally saw that his men were losing and that most ofthe kings who were helping him were dead, he said:

"This Arthur is a demon and not a man. I will fight with himmyself and end this battle. " And before any one could stop him, he spurred up to King Arthur and said:

"You on the white horse who refuse to pay me tribute, come outthat I may kill you. "

Then Arthur rode quickly towards the emperor. The two men beganto fight, and Arthur soon saw that he was contending with apowerful man. He gave the emperor many a stroke with Excalibur, but he himself received deep blows. At last the emperor piercedArthur's helmet, and wounded him deeply in the cheek. 

King Arthur raised his good Excalibur with a last effort andstruck his enemy with it so fiercely on the head that the blowcleft the helmet and pierced to the emperor's chin. He fell fromhis horse without a moan. When the Romans near by saw that theirruler was dead, they gave a great cry of grief and rushed uponArthur, but his good knights protected him. 

At last, seeing themselves conquered, the Romans surrendered. Arthur found among his prisoners three senators, and among thedead, sixty senators, the sixteen kings, and the emperor. 

He was sorrowful, for he knew that they were great men. So he hadthem embalmed and laid in chests of lead. Around each chest flagswere wound, and the shields of the dead warriors placed on top. Then he said to the three surviving senators:

"Take these noble dead bodies back to Rome. When the Romans seethem they will never again dare ask tax or tribute of me. I willnot go to Rome and take the city from you, but if ever you sendto me for gold, I shall invade your land and never rest till allItaly is mine. "

The senators bowed their heads. Then they laid the body of theemperor on a car, all alone, with the gold eagle above him. Theylaid the bodies of the kings and the senators two by two onchariots, and so went slowly towards Rome. And never again didthe kings of Britain have to pay a tax to the Romans. 

[Illustration: The Holy Grail]

[Illustration] THE KNIGHT WITH the BADLY MADE COAT

One day when Arthur and his knights were in the hall of the RoundTable, a young man entered. He was so large that his shoulderswere as wide as the doorway, and he could hardly squeeze through. The knights looked at him in amazement, for he was almost agiant. 

When he came closer to them, they saw that he had on a coat whichwas far too large for him. It hung in wrinkles and folds all overhis back, and the sleeves were so long that he had to turn themup almost to the elbow. The coat was of rich material, goldcloth, but it was old and blood-stained. 

The young man strode up to the king and said:

"My lord, my name is Brune. I can tell you no more than that. Ibeg you to make me a knight. "

At this Sir Kay laughed and said:

"He must be called The Knight with the Badly Made Coat. "

"Call me what you will, " said the young man. "Yes, I take thatname, for I will not tell my real one. "

Then Arthur spoke to him gently:

"Young man, you ask a great thing. All those in my Court who aremade knights must serve for a long time as squires. If they provethemselves loyal and brave, I make them knights. But I mustalways know whence they come, and who their fathers are. "

"My lord, " said the young man, "I do indeed ask a great thing. Iwould gladly tell you more of myself, but I am under a vow toreveal no more than you already know. Yet I will tell you this, further. I am the son of a noble who was as big as a giant. Mygood father was very peaceable and did not care to fight; so henever came to your Court, and you did not hear of him. He livedat home with my mother and me, and the simple people who plowedthe land about our castle. 

"Every one ought to have loved him; but he had one enemy. Oneday, six years ago, when I was only a boy, my father and I werein the forest. My father was sleeping at the foot of a tree, andI was bathing in a brook near by. This enemy, who wanted myfather's lands, came up and drove his sword into my father'sheart. Then he rode away. I ran up to my dead father and took offthe coat which he wore and put it on. I swore never to take itoff, and never to tell my father's name or where I came from, till I had avenged his death. 

"Then I rode home to our castle, but our enemy had takenpossession of it, and had made my mother prisoner. As I was notyet grown up I vowed that I would stay with the good shepherdsnear by till I was strong enough to pull up a young tree by theroots. Then I would go to King Arthur's Court and ask to be madea knight. So every month I have tried to uproot a young tree. This morning I succeeded, and here, my lords, I am. "

The knights were much moved and prayed the king to make him aknight. They said that they would teach him to use arms. The kingsaid that he would wait to see what sort of man Brune was. 

A few days after this all the knights rode off to a tournamentand Brune was left at home with a few soldiers. He was in thecastle yard practicing some of the lessons in warfare which theknights had been teaching him. While he was hard at work, QueenGuinevere with twelve soldiers who were her bodyguard passed by. 

As she was speaking kindly to Brune, they heard a terrible noise, and looking in the direction from which it came, saw a dreadfulsight. A fierce lion which had been confined in a tower of stonehad broken out of its prison and was rushing towards them. Thetwelve soldiers fled, leaving the queen and Brune alone. 

"Ah, " said Brune, "not all the cowards in the world are dead. "

[Illustration: _"The king touched him lightly with his sword"_]

He stood still while the lion bounded towards him. He had droppedhis sword, and as the beast leaped upon him, he seized its headin his hands. Then he slowly, slowly, bent its head back. It wasa strong lion, and with the effort the muscles on Brune's neckstood out like great ropes. Presently, the queen and Brune hearda loud crack and they knew that the lion's neck was broken. Bruneloosed his hold, and the huge tawny body dropped to the ground, quivered a moment, and was still. 

While this was going on, the king and his knights returned. Theysaw at a glance what Brune had done, and cheered him loudly. Theking rode up to him. 

"Kneel down, " he said. 

Brune knelt down by the body of the lion, and the king touchedhim lightly with his sword, saying:

"Sir Brune, I make you a knight of my Round Table. Be alwaysloyal, brave, and merciful. "

Then all the knights were glad, but Sir Brune was gladdest ofall. 

[Illustration: The Two Horses]

[Illustration] SIR LANCELOT & SIR BRUNE

After Sir Brune, the Knight with the Badly Made Coat, had been atArthur's Court for some months, he became eager to seek for theenemy of his father. Sir Lancelot, who took an interest in thebig young knight, advised him to wait and try his strength atsome smaller adventure first. 

One day, when Sir Lancelot was away hunting, a damsel enteredArthur's hall. She carried a black shield which had painted on ita white hand holding a sword. She bowed to the king and said:

"My lord, I come for a knight to undertake the adventure of theblack shield. "

"And what is that adventure, fair damsel?" asked the king. 

"That I may not tell you, " answered the damsel, "except that itwill cause much fighting and bloodshed to the knight who choosesit. "

Some of the knights were eager to go, and Sir Kay pressed forwardto finger the shield. 

"Do not touch it, good Sir Kay, " said the maiden, "for thisadventure is not for you. I am to choose the knight. "

She passed up and down the hall, looking into the face of eachone. When she had seen them all she came back to Sir Brune andsaid:

"Young Knight with the Ugly Coat, will you take this shield?"

"Gladly, if my king allows, " said the knight. 

Then Arthur gave his permission, and Sir Brune followed thedamsel out of the hall. Her horse was black, and wore whitetrappings. Sir Brune's horse was as brown as an autumn leaf. Thetwo mounted and rode away. Sir Brune began to talk to the damsel, whose name was Elinor. At first she was agreeable, but after theyhad ridden many miles she became scornful, and told him she wassorry she had chosen him. 

Sir Brune felt sad, because he had begun to love the damsel. Hewas afraid she did not like him because his coat was poor. He didnot speak to her any more, but rode on sorrowfully beside her. After a long time they came to a castle enclosed by high walls. The gate stood open, and the damsel Elinor pointed to it andsaid, sighing:

"Since you have not left me as I hoped you would, go in there. You will find your first adventure. I may not tell you what itis. "

Sir Brune galloped inside the gate. There he saw a hundredknights on horseback, armed and waiting for him. He had to thinkand act quickly. So he decided to rush in between the knights andput his back against the castle wall. Then he could fight withhis back protected. He did this, though not without receivingsome spear-wounds. Then he began to fight. 

The lady of the castle, whom the knights were keeping prisoner, watched the fight out of the window, and grieved for the braveyoung man who had so many against him. She began to speak to himin a low voice:

"Young knight, if you can only get to the left side of the castlewall, there is a secret door through which you can escape. If youlook, you will see that one portion of the wall is made of blackstones. Strike the stones with the hilt of your sword, and a doorwill open through which you can ride out. "

The other knights did not hear what the lady said, for they werefarther away from her than Sir Brune was. Even he could hardlycatch her words. He took a quick glance to the left and saw thatthere was indeed a portion of the wall marked with black stones. Then he began to work his way carefully towards the secret gate. 

He was obliged to move slowly for fear the knights would guesswhat he was doing. Moreover, it was becoming very hard to fight, because of his many wounds. However, he at last came near thedoor; then he backed his brown horse up against it, struck theblack stones with the handle of his sword, and the door opened. The knights shouted with rage, but they were unable to reach himin time. Sir Brune escaped, leaving behind him twelve men dead. 

He was very weak, and he made his way painfully to the side ofthe wall where the maiden Elinor waited for him. She ran to meethim, and led him gently to a brook in a forest near by. There shetook off his armor and bathed his wounds, anointing them with aprecious salve she carried. 

Sir Brune thought that she was sorry because she had beenscornful of him, and he began to talk to her. But she said:

"Do not talk to me. If you want to please me, go back to Arthur'sCourt. "

Sir Brune did not know why she spoke so, but he was too tired tothink. So he lay down on the grass by the brook and went tosleep. 

Meantime, at Arthur's Court Sir Lancelot had returned from hishunting expedition, and was told how Sir Brune had gone out witha damsel on the adventure of the shield. 

"Oh!" cried Sir Lancelot, "what have you done! He will surely bekilled. Merlin has told me what this adventure of the shield is. Many and many a knight has taken it up and each has been killed. A knight who vows to follow this adventure has to meet dangers ofall sorts. This young untried Sir Brune will certainly bekilled. "

He called for his horse and arms, and said to the king:

"My lord, I will ride after this poor young man and give him whathelp I can. Perhaps I shall be too late; but if not, I shall askhim to give me this adventure of the shield. "

Then Sir Lancelot mounted his horse and rode after Sir Brune. When he came near the brook where Sir Brune and the damsel hadrested, he heard the sound of a great combat. Spurring forward hesaw Sir Brune, fighting single-handed against six knights. SirLancelot rushed to the rescue and quickly overthrew the enemy. Hefound that they belonged to the company of the hundred knightswhom Sir Brune had attacked. He ordered them, first of all, tofree the lady of the castle, and then to go to Arthur's Court andsurrender themselves to the mercy of the king. 

Poor Sir Brune was almost dead, but Sir Lancelot revived him, andin a feeble voice he thanked Sir Lancelot for his help. But thedamsel begged:

"Take him back to the Court of your king. I do not want him tofollow this quest any longer. "

"This is surely ungrateful of you, " said Sir Lancelot. "He hasfought bravely and well. "

"The maiden scorns me, though I love her, " bitterly said SirBrune. 

Then the damsel Elinor cried out:

"I will tell the truth. I love you and I am afraid you will bekilled. Therefore, I wish you to return to Camelot. "

Sir Brune was very glad, and he said:

"I have pledged my word and must follow this quest. When I havesucceeded we shall go together back to Arthur's Court. "

"Give this adventure to me, " said Sir Lancelot, "and go back nowwith the damsel. "

But Sir Brune refused. Then Sir Lancelot said that they mustundertake the adventure together, and Sir Brune consenting, theyrode slowly forward. Soon they came to an abbey, where theyrested for some days until Sir Brune was well. 

Then they traveled as the damsel gave directions. She always knewwhat they had to do. At times they passed through woods full ofwild beasts, some of which attacked them. Again they passed overenchanted meadows where wicked magicians tried to cast spellsover them. They also fought with many knights. However, theyescaped all dangers, although it is certain that Sir Brune wouldnever have succeeded without the help of Sir Lancelot. 

At length the damsel Elinor told them that they were nearing thelast adventure. She pointed to a castle on a hill; a squarestructure built of black stones, with a turret on top. The damseltold them that at the gate of the castle were two huge dragons. These they must slay. 

"Whose is the castle?" asked Sir Brune. 

"It belongs now to the wicked Lord Brian of the Isles, " answeredthe damsel. 

At this Sir Brune gave such a loud shout that the dragons on topof the hill heard him and roared in reply. 

"Ah!" cried he, "that is the name of my enemy, who killed my dearfather. At last I shall slay him. "

He rode off so quickly that Sir Lancelot had much trouble to keepup with him. It seemed scarcely five minutes before they came tothe dragons; terrible creatures, all of green, with eyes andtongues of flame. And their wings were as large as the sails of aship. 

Sir Brune had never before seen a dragon, but he was not afraid. He fought very bravely, and even when the teeth of the dragonscrunched on his helmet, he did not lose courage. After a fiercefight of half an hour, the two knights had killed the dragons. 

They hoped to rest, but at that moment the castle gate openedand a porter appeared. 

"Enter and fight, " he said. 

Both spurred forward, but the porter said:

"One only may enter. "

"Let me go, " said Sir Brune to Sir Lancelot. "Remember I am toavenge my father's death. It may be that Lord Brian of the Islesis waiting just inside the gate. "

Sir Lancelot consented, and the porter led in Sir Brune andlocked the gate. Inside were two great knights, the brothers ofLord Brian of the Isles. They were almost as large as Sir Brune. Together they set upon him. He was already tired from his fightwith the dragons, but his desire to avenge his father strengthenedhis arm. One brother was soon overthrown. When the other sawthat, he yielded. Then Sir Brune sent them both to Sir Lancelotoutside the gate. 

While Sir Brune was looking about him, a third knight appeared atthe end of the courtyard. He was quite as large as Sir Brune, andas he came spurring up, the noise of his horse's hoofs wasdeafening. Sir Brune recognized him as Sir Plenorius, the cousinof Lord Brian. 

"Ah!" cried he, "where is that wretch, Lord Brian? Am I to fightwith all his family before I meet with him?"

Sir Plenorius wasted no words. He rushed upon Sir Brune andstruck him with his long spear. The blow broke Sir Brune'shelmet, and he had much trouble to guard his head with hisshield. He fought courageously, but he became weaker and weaker. Then Sir Plenorius stopped fighting. 

"I know you will never yield, " he said. "You are the bravestknight I have yet seen. In truth, I loved your good father, andgrieved because my cousin slew him. I have no love for my cousin, Lord Brian of the Isles, but I am vowed to fight for him as longas he lives, or until I am overcome. "

Sir Brune was about to answer, but he fell back in a swoon. SirPlenorius lifted him gently in his arms and bore him into thecastle. He carried him up the winding stairs to the turret room, and gently laid him on a bed. Then he went back to the courtyard. 

Meantime, Sir Lancelot, hearing the porter shout that Sir Brunewas killed, beat on the gate, but nobody would let him in. Thenwith great difficulty he climbed the castle wall and leaped down. Sir Plenorius was just about to care for the horse of Sir Brune. 

"Give me back my friend!" cried Sir Lancelot, fiercely. "Where ismy friend?"

Then he began to fight with Sir Plenorius. Sir Plenorius was somuch larger than Sir Lancelot that he thought he could easilyovercome him. As the fight went on, however, he found himself allbut defeated. 

"Yield now to me, " said Sir Lancelot. "I am Sir Lancelot of theLake. "

Then Sir Plenorius said:

"Ah, my good lord, I know of your fame. If we go on fighting, youwill certainly kill me. Yet I do not want to yield, so I ask youto treat me as I have treated Sir Brune. "

When Sir Lancelot heard how Sir Plenorius had spared Sir Brune, he said:

"You are a gentle knight. I am sorry you are vowed to the serviceof Lord Brian of the Isles. He shall surely die. "

Sir Plenorius answered:

"When he is dead, I will come to Arthur's Court as one of hisfollowers. "

All this time Sir Brune was lying in a swoon on the bed in theturret room. But at last he came to himself and looked about him. He saw near him his sword and shield; so he lifted them up besidehim. As he lay still, trying to recover his strength, he heardstealthy footsteps coming up the turret stairs. They came nearerand nearer. Suddenly, in rushed Lord Brian of the Isles. He knewthat Sir Brune was there, alone and wounded, and he intended tokill him as he lay defenseless. Sir Brune understood this and hecried:

"Ah, wretch, you were ever a coward. You come to kill me as I liewounded here, just as you killed my poor father while he slept. But the sight of you makes me forget my wounds. "

At these words, and at the fierce rage which shone in SirBrune's eyes, Lord Brian, who was indeed a coward, tried toretreat. But Sir Brune sprang to the doorway. 

"You shall never go down by these stairs, villain, " he said, "forI will kill you!"

Lord Brian rushed to the window and sprang out upon thebattlements. Sir Brune followed him, though with difficulty. Thetwo began to fight, and Sir Brune soon saw that his enemy wastrying to push him close to the edge of the battlements, that hemight fall down into the courtyard below. 

Sir Brune, at this, put himself behind Lord Brian, determined tocast him off instead. Slowly he pushed him, until Lord Brian wasbut a step from the edge. Then Sir Brune lifted his shield andstruck his enemy with it. The wicked lord lost his footing, andwas dashed to pieces at the feet of Sir Lancelot and SirPlenorius in the courtyard below. 

They ordered his soldiers to bury him, and while Sir Lancelotwent to care for Sir Brune, Sir Plenorius went down the hill tofind the damsel Elinor. She came back with tears of joy to SirBrune. 

[Illustration: _"He pushed him until he was but a step from theedge"_]

When Sir Brune was well enough to travel, he visited all thecastles of Lord Brian, in search of his lost mother. He was verymuch afraid that she was dead, but at last he found her alive, inthe very castle which had belonged to his father. There was greatjoy at their meeting. He took her to Arthur's Court, whither SirLancelot had already conducted the damsel Elinor. A few daysafterward Sir Brune and the damsel were married amid greatfestivities. 

[Illustration: The Shield and the Sword]

[Illustration] THE ADVENTURE OF KING PELLENORE

In Arthur's Court, every knight or lady who was found unworthywas banished; yet it often took some time to discover one's realcharacter. 

One of the ladies of Arthur's Court was named Vivien. She wasvery pretty, and as graceful as a willow wand, and so bright andattractive in her ways that no one suspected her of being verywicked. 

Among Arthur's bravest warriors was King Pellenore. He had oncehad a great fight with Arthur, but after that they had becomefriends, and King Pellenore had been made a Knight of the RoundTable. He was not often at court, for he spent much of his timeseeking for adventures. Now and then he would return and putaway his armor. Then he rode with the ladies or talked to theother knights. 

The lady Vivien admired King Pellenore for his valor and hismighty deeds, and whenever she could she talked with him abouthis adventures. One afternoon she begged him to go for a longride with her through the forest. So their horses were broughtand they set forth. Just as they were passing a thick part of thewood, a beautiful golden-haired lady stepped out. 

"Good sir knight, " she cried to King Pellenore, "I ask your help. I am here in the wood with the dear lord who is to be my husband. He is sore wounded, for an enemy crept up behind him as we wereriding to Arthur's Court, and thrust a sword in his back. "

Then King Pellenore turned his horse's head toward the maiden. 

"Gladly will I help, " he said; "lead me, maiden. "

But Vivien called him back. 

"Do not go with her, " she said. "She may be a witch. Ride on withme. "

"She is no witch, but a good maiden, " said King Pellenore. 

Then the golden-haired lady spoke again. "Oh, sir knight, helpme! I must go to Arthur's Court to see my father. My dear loveris going to ask permission to marry me. Help us or he will die. "

"Assuredly I will help you, damsel, " said King Pellenore. 

Vivien held his arm, but he put her gently aside. When the wickedwoman saw that he was going to leave her, she made her horseplunge and throw her to the ground. There she lay as if in afaint. 

King Pellenore did not know what to do. He felt as if he musthelp the beautiful lady, and yet he could not leave Vivien. So hesaid:

"Fair damsel, you shall have my help. I have never wanted to aidanyone so much as I do you. I must save your lover and bring youboth to Arthur's Court. But let me first ride back with this ladywho has swooned. Then I will return here to you. "

"Alas, alas, I fear it will be too late, " cried the damsel, turning back into the forest. 

Then King Pellenore lifted Vivien on her horse, and tied her toits back by her long green scarf. At this she opened her eyes andgroaned, and said that she was very sick. She made him ride veryslowly to the court. 

King Pellenore did not talk to her. He was thinking all the timeof the golden-haired maiden. As soon as he reached the city gatehe gave Vivien over into the care of a knight who was passing, and galloped back to the woods. 

When he reached the spot where the beautiful damsel had spoken tohim, he turned into the thick part of the wood and followed anarrow path. It was so narrow that the branches of the trees onboth sides struck his shoulders, but still he hurried on. Thepath ended in a glade, and there he saw the lady and her loverlying on the grass. 

"Alas, alas!" the lady said, "my dear lord is dead and I amdying. "

Then King Pellenore saw that the fair young knight who lay on theground was very pale and quiet, and that all the grass about wasblood-stained. 

"Ah, good knight, " said the lady, "after you left me, a lion ranout of the wood and slew my lover with one stroke of his paw. Hehas wounded me so sorely that I too shall die. "

Then King Pellenore wept. 

"I wish that I had made Vivien wait here, " he said, "and hadhelped you. I fear I have done wrong. "

He sat down and took her golden head on his knee, and spoke toher gently till she died. Then he put her body and her lover'sbody on his horse, and walked beside them sorrowfully until hereached Arthur's Court. 

Near the great hall he met Arthur and Merlin and several knights. 

"I am a miserable man, " he said. 

Then the wise Merlin said: "You are more miserable than you know. This beautiful lady was your own daughter who was stolen from youas a child. Only lately she learned who her father was. She wascoming here to seek you. "

Then King Pellenore wept loudly. 

"This is my punishment, " he cried, "for not aiding the maiden. The one who needs help most should be given it first, and sheneeded it more than Vivien. I am indeed punished. "

"And you shall be punished yet more, " said Merlin; "and in goodtime, Vivien also for the part she took. Some day the friend whomyou most trust shall deceive you, and you shall be betrayed todeath. "

King Pellenore bowed his head meekly. 

"I have deserved it, " he said. "And now I must bury my dear childand her lover. "

The beautiful golden-haired lady and her lover were buried withgreat mourning, and it was many a day before King Pellenore caredto seek for adventures. 

[Illustration: The Shield]

[Illustration] SIR LANCELOT & HIS FRIENDS

Sir Lancelot was acknowledged by all the knights of the RoundTable to be the bravest of their number, and the one whom theking loved most. He was not often at court, because he was nearlyalways engaged in adventures which took him away from the town ofCamelot. The knights were always sorry when he went away, yetthey were sure he would return safely and with much to tell them. 

One day Sir Lancelot called his nephew Sir Lionel, and told himto mount his horse, for they must go to seek adventures. SirLionel was very glad, for it was a great honor to be chosen as acompanion by Sir Lancelot. They rode off through a deep forest, and then across a wide, treeless plain. The sun was shining hotand bright, and when they reached a clump of trees, Sir Lancelotbade Sir Lionel dismount. Then the two sat in the shade to rest. 

It was not long before Sir Lancelot fell asleep. While Sir Lionelkept guard, he saw three knights furiously pursued by anotherknight, who was very large. This knight overtook the threeknights, one after another, and overthrew them, and bound them bythe reins of their bridles. Sir Lionel, who was young andself-confident, thought that he would like to fight with thisknight. So he mounted his horse very quietly without waking hisuncle, and rode into the plain. 

When the big knight saw him coming, he laughed and rode upquickly. At the very first stroke, young Sir Lionel fell to theearth. The strong knight bound him fast to the other threeknights and drove them all to his castle. There he took off theirarmor and clothes, and beat them with thorny sticks. After thathe threw them into a deep dungeon where there were many otherknights. 

Meanwhile Sir Hector, the foster father of King Arthur, hearingthat Sir Lancelot and Sir Lionel had gone in search of adventures, determined to join them; so he rode hastily in pursuit. When hehad gone some distance through the forest, he met a wood-cutter, and asked him if he had seen Sir Lancelot and Sir Lionel. The manreplied that he had not. 

"Then do you know of any adventure which I can seek?" asked SirHector. 

The man answered:

"Sir, a mile from here is a strong castle. On one side of it is alarge stream, and by that stream a large tree. At the foot of thetree is a basin of copper. Go and strike on that three times withyour spear and you will meet with an adventure. "

"Thank you heartily, " said Sir Hector. 

He rode on and soon came to the tree. Hanging on it were a greatmany shields, and among them Sir Lionel's. There were alsoshields which belonged to other knights of the Round Table. SirHector knew that the knights must be prisoners, and he grew veryangry. 

He struck sharply on the copper basin, and at once a huge knightappeared. 

"Come forward and fight!" cried the knight. 

"That I will, " said Sir Hector. 

"But I shall win, " said the knight, "for I am the great SirTurquaine. "

Sir Hector had heard of this powerful knight whom so many ofArthur's lords had tried in vain to overthrow. But he was a braveold man, and so he began to fight fearlessly. He wounded the bigknight once, but the knight wounded him many times, and at lastovercame him. He picked Sir Hector up and carried him under hisright arm into the castle. 

"You are very brave, " he said, when they had reached the greathall. "You are the first knight who has wounded me these twelveyears. Now I shall give you your freedom if you will swear to bea follower of mine. "

"I shall never swear that, " said Sir Hector; "I am a follower ofKing Arthur. "

"I am sorry for that, " said Sir Turquaine, "for now I must treatyou as I do all my other prisoners. "

Then he took off Sir Hector's armor and clothes, and beat himwith the thorny stick, and threw him into the dungeon. There theold man found Sir Lionel and many other knights. 

"Is Sir Lancelot here?" asked Sir Hector, feebly. 

"No, " said Sir Lionel, and told how he had left Sir Lancelotsleeping. 

Then Sir Hector became cheerful. 

"Sir Lancelot will surely find us, " he said, "and give us ourfreedom. "

But Sir Lancelot still slept on under the tree. Soon fourbeautiful ladies rode by, and, seeing a sleeping knight, dismounted to look at him. They at once recognized him as SirLancelot, the bravest knight in the land. One of these ladies wasMorgan le Fay, whom Arthur had forgiven for her treachery to him. She said to her companions:

"I will cast a spell over him, and we will carry him to mycastle. Then, when he wakes, we will make him choose one of us ashis wife. "

The other three agreed, and Morgan le Fay cast her spell. Thenthe four women lifted the knight upon his horse and went with himto the castle of Morgan le Fay. They put the knight in a richlydecorated chamber and left him. 

In the morning he awoke and wondered where he was. Soon a fairdamsel entered with food, and he asked her to explain how he cameto be in that place. 

"Sir, I cannot, " she said. "But I can tell you this much: you areunder a spell. In twelve hours the spell will break, and perhapsI can help you then. "

After the damsel had gone out, the four ladies entered. They wereclad in most beautiful robes. One had on silk that looked likethe foam of the sea. Another had on velvet that seemed like mossfrom the forest. The third wore satin that was the color of mapleleaves in autumn. Morgan le Fay wore a robe that looked like astorm-cloud, and her diamonds were like stars. 

"Choose one of us for your wife, " she said, "and you shall bevery happy. "

But Sir Lancelot said:

"Fair ladies, I have no wish to marry. I would rather fight formy good King Arthur who needs me. "

At this the ladies were angry. 

"You shall stay here till you choose, " they said. "And if youwill not choose, then you shall die in prison. "

They went out, and Sir Lancelot remained alone all day. At duskthe fair damsel came to him. 

"My lord, " she said, "the spell is broken now, and I can helpyou. These ladies are not kind to me, and I am going to run away. I will take you with me on one condition. "

"Name it, damsel, " he said. 

"I am a king's daughter, " she said. "My father is KingBagdemagus. "

"He is a good man, " Sir Lancelot said. "I know him well. "

"My father has been fighting in a tournament, " said the maiden, "and has been overcome, with all his knights. He feels very sad. Now, in two days there will be another tournament at which hemust fight. If you help him, he will surely win and be happyagain. "

"I will gladly help him, " said Sir Lancelot. 

Then the damsel bade him walk softly with her. She opened twelvegreat doors one after another. Each had a lock with a key soheavy that the maiden had to use both hands to turn it. At lastthey reached the courtyard, and there she gave Sir Lancelot hishorse and armor. She also mounted a horse, and the two rode away. 

After riding all night, they came to the court of KingBagdemagus. He was overjoyed to welcome Sir Lancelot, for well heknew that none could overcome that good knight in combat. All daythere was music and dancing and feasting. Sir Lancelot, however, could not be merry. He kept thinking of his nephew, Sir Lionel, and wondering where he was. 

On the morning of the tournament Sir Lancelot asked KingBagdemagus to furnish him with a white shield, because he did notwant to be known. The king did so, and also gave each of thethree knights who rode with him a shield of the same color. SirLancelot went with the knights into a little leafy wood near thefield where the tournament was to be held. 

Meanwhile King Bagdemagus rode to the tournament with sixty men, and met there the king of Northgalis with eighty men. They beganto fight, and soon those on the side of King Bagdemagus began tobe worsted. Then Sir Lancelot, with the three knights, dashed outof the little wood and into the thick of the fight. 

No one could stand against Sir Lancelot. One of King Arthur'sknights, Sir Modred, the brother of Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, was fighting against King Bagdemagus. Not knowing who SirLancelot was, he rushed upon him. Sir Lancelot unhorsed him, butwould not hurt him, because he was a Knight of the Round Table. Years afterward he was sorry he had not killed him, for SirModred proved to be a traitor to King Arthur. 

Sir Lancelot fought so well that, for his sake, all the prizes ofthe tournament were given to King Bagdemagus, who was greatlyrejoiced, and offered large gifts to Sir Lancelot, and beggedhim to be his guest for a time. But Sir Lancelot was so anxiousto find out what had become of Sir Lionel that he could notremain. So the next day he set forth. 

He rode back towards the clump of trees where he had fallenasleep while Sir Lionel kept watch. On the highway he met adamsel riding on a white palfrey. 

"Fair damsel, " said Sir Lancelot, "can you tell me of anyadventures hereabouts? I am Sir Lancelot of the Lake. "

"Oh, Sir Lancelot, " said she, "it is indeed fortunate that youhave come, for there is here a knight named Sir Turquaine who hasput in prison many of the knights of the Round Table. You shallfight with him for the freedom of your friends. "

Then she turned her horse, and Sir Lancelot gladly followed her. She brought him to the tree on which hung the shields of hisbrother knights. Sir Lancelot let his horse drink a little water, and then he struck on the iron basin at the foot of the tree sofiercely that the bottom fell out. 

[Illustration: _"He struck so fiercely the bottom fell out"_]

No one appeared, however. Then he rode up to the castle of SirTurquaine. Near the gate he met the big knight. He was on foot, driving his horse before him. On the horse lay a knight, securelybound. Sir Lancelot recognized him as Sir Gaheris, the brother ofSir Gawain and Sir Gareth. 

"Put down the knight, " said Sir Lancelot. "Mount and fight. "

"Gladly, " said Sir Turquaine. "Before long you will be sorry foryour challenge. "

Then the two rode at each other. Their horses' feet beat the dustinto clouds, and they used their swords so fiercely that theirarmor rang continually like the clanging of heavy bells. Theyfought until they were breathless, each bleeding from manywounds. Then Sir Turquaine, leaning on his sword, said:

"By my faith, never have I fought with such a strong man before. I admire you, and I would be your friend. You fight as they saythat knight does whom I hate most in all this world. If you arenot that knight, I give you my friendship, and shall free all myprisoners for your sake. "

"That is well said, " replied Sir Lancelot. "Tell me who thisknight is whom you hate so much. "

"He is Sir Lancelot of the Lake. For hatred of him, I kill orimprison all the knights of the Round Table whom I can find. "

"Then let us begin to fight again, " said Sir Lancelot, "for I amSir Lancelot of the Lake. "

Then they struck at each other furiously, and soon gave eachother so many wounds that the ground was covered with blood. SirTurquaine was a brave man, but he was not so strong as SirLancelot. After a long conflict he fell, mortally wounded, to theground. Then Sir Lancelot unlaced his helmet and eased him aswell as he could till he died. Afterwards he left Sir Turquaine, and went to the porter who held the keys of the castle. 

Sir Lancelot took the keys and unlocked the doors of the prison. He led the poor knights out into the daylight and struck offtheir chains. Sir Lionel and Sir Hector were overjoyed to seethat their deliverer was indeed Sir Lancelot. Each knight foundhis own armor in the armory, and his own horse in the stables. After that a servant came with four horses laden down withvenison, and the poor knights, who for a long time had hadnothing but bread and water, enjoyed a good meal. Then SirLancelot rode away in search of new adventures. 

[Illustration: The Holy Grail]

[Illustration] HOW SIR LANCELOT SAVED THE QUEEN

One day in May Queen Guinevere invited ten ladies and ten knightsto ride a-Maying with her the next morning in the woods. So atthe appointed time they assembled, all dressed in green silk andgreen velvet, the color of young grass. The knights wore whiteplumes in their helmets, and the ladies wore white May-blossomsin their hair. They rode off very happily, telling the king thatthey would return before noon. 

Now the good King Bagdemagus, for whom Sir Lancelot had fought, had a bad son named Sir Malgrace. For a long time he had wantedto capture the queen and carry her off to his castle. He had beenafraid to try, however, because of her large bodyguard. All theyoung knights of the Round Table liked to ride with her andprotect her. They took good care of all the ladies of the Court, but they loved the queen most. 

When Sir Malgrace heard that the queen was out a-Maying with onlya few knights, and these not fully armed, he determined to takeher prisoner. So he called together eighty men-at-arms and ahundred archers, and set out. Soon he came upon her and herattendants. They were sitting on a little hill, with wreaths offlowers and leaves on their arms and necks. Before they couldrise to their feet, Sir Malgrace and his men dashed upon them. 

"Traitor!" cried the queen. "What would you do?"

"I will carry you to my castle, fair queen, " he said. "And neveragain shall you go free. "

"I will not go with you, " said the queen. 

Then the ten knights drew their swords and set on the hundred andeighty men of Sir Malgrace. They fought so well that theyoverthrew forty. Still, they could do little against suchnumbers, and soon all were wounded. When the queen saw this, shecried out:

"Sir Malgrace, do not slay my noble knights, and I will go withyou. I would rather die than cause them further harm. "

The knights said that they would rather perish than be prisonersto Sir Malgrace. However, upon an order from their lord, thearchers tied up the wounds of the queen's followers, and put themon horseback. Then the whole company rode slowly towards thecastle of Sir Malgrace. 

Sir Malgrace kept close to the queen for fear she would escape. Once when they were in a thick part of the wood he rode ahead tobreak the branches so that they should not strike her face. Thenthe queen whispered to a little maiden who rode near her:

"If you can do so, slip away from the company. You are so smallthat perhaps they will not notice you. Take this ring and give itto our greatest knight, Sir Lancelot, and pray him to come andrescue me. "

The little maid waited until she thought the time for escape hadcome, and rode off as quietly as she could. Sir Malgrace saw hergo, and suspected that the queen had sent her. He ordered hisarchers to shoot at the child, but she escaped unhurt. 

"Madam, " said Sir Malgrace to the queen, "I know well that youhave sent for Sir Lancelot, but you may be sure that hither heshall never come. "

Then Sir Malgrace ordered his archers to stand guard on the roadand shoot down any knight they saw. 

"But if he should be Sir Lancelot, " he said, "be sure that you donot venture very close to him, for he is hard to overcome. "

Meantime the little maid reached Arthur's Court in safety. Shefound the king and his knights very anxious because the queen hadnot returned. She told her story, and gave the queen's ring toSir Lancelot. 

"Bring me my armor!" shouted Sir Lancelot. "I will rescue my goodand dear queen before the night falls. I would rather see hersafe here again than own all France. "

He put on his armor and mounted his white horse and rode offwithout delay. The little maid led him to the place where the tenknights had fought with the hundred and eighty. From this pointhe traced them by the blood on the grass and on the road. At lasthe reached the archers. 

"Turn back, " they said. "No one may pass here. "

"That I will not, " said Sir Lancelot. "I am a Knight of the RoundTable, and therefore have the right of way throughout the land. "

At that they shot their arrows at him. He was wounded with manyof them, and his white horse was killed. Sir Lancelot tried toreach the men, but there were so many hedges and ditches in theway that he could not. They hastened back to tell Sir Malgracethat a knight whom they had not succeeded in killing was comingto the castle. 

Sir Lancelot tried to walk, but his armor was too heavy for himto carry in his wounded state. He dared not leave any of itbehind, for he would need it all in fighting. Just as he waswondering what he could do, a carter passed him, driving a roughwagon. 

"Carter, " said Sir Lancelot, "let me ride in your wagon to thecastle of Sir Malgrace. "

The carter was amazed, for in that day a knight never enteredinto a cart unless he was a condemned man going to be hanged. SirLancelot, however, did not stop to explain. He jumped into thecart and told the driver to go quickly. 

Some of the ladies of Queen Guinevere were looking out of theirwindow, and one said to her:

"See, my queen, there is a poor knight going to be hanged. "

The queen looked out of the window and recognized Sir Lancelot bythe three lions blazoned upon his shield. She was overjoyed, andwaved him a glad greeting as he came up to the castle gate. 

Sir Lancelot beat on the gate with his shield, and cried:

"Come out, false traitor, Sir Malgrace; come out and fight. Ifyou do not, you will be branded as a coward forever. "

At first Sir Malgrace thought that he would keep his gates shutfast and not answer the challenge. But in those days it was asign of great cowardice not to accept a challenge. Moreover, since Sir Lancelot had been able to reach the castle in spite ofthe archers, he was afraid other knights of the Round Table mightdo the same. Then they would besiege him and force him tosurrender. Still he was afraid to fight. So he went to QueenGuinevere and said:

"Fair queen, remember how I saved your ten knights when I couldhave killed them. Now I am sorry I took you prisoner. I beg thatyou will go to Sir Lancelot and urge him not to fight. Then Iwill entertain him in this castle with the best I have, andto-morrow you shall all go back to the court. "

Then the queen said:

"Peace is always better than war. I will do the best I can. "

So she went down to Sir Lancelot, who still beat upon the gate, and besought him to come in peaceably, for Sir Malgrace wassorry for what he had done. Sir Lancelot was unwilling, for heknew that Sir Malgrace was a traitor, deserving punishment. Still, he could not refuse the queen anything she asked him, and, therefore, he entered the castle. 

Sir Malgrace greeted him with politeness, and served to him andto the others of Arthur's Court, a great banquet. After that, tothe surprise of everyone, he rose and accused the queen oftreason. All the company was astonished. Sir Lancelot was veryangry. 

"If you say the queen is a traitress, " he cried, "you shall fightwith me, although you were afraid just now. "

"I am not afraid to fight, " said Sir Malgrace. 

"When and where will you meet me in combat?" asked Sir Lancelot. 

"In eight days, " replied Sir Malgrace, "in the field nearWestminster. "

Sir Lancelot agreed to this. Then Queen Guinevere rose with allher attendants and went into the courtyard. Their horses werebrought them and they mounted. Sir Lancelot was the last to passout of the banquet hall. As he was going through the door hestepped upon a trap which Sir Malgrace had prepared for him. Thetrapdoor fell and dropped him into a dark dungeon. 

When the queen and her knights and ladies had ridden out of thecourtyard, they noticed that Sir Lancelot was not with them. Theysupposed, however, that he had ridden off by himself, as wasoften his custom, so they went without him to Camelot, and toldthe king what had happened. He was very angry at Sir Malgrace'saccusation, but he was sure that Sir Lancelot would punish SirMalgrace, and so vindicate Queen Guinevere. 

Meantime, the unhappy Sir Lancelot lay bruised in the dungeon, feeling very sure that Sir Malgrace meant to starve him to death. He lay hungry and thirsty for nearly two days. Then Sir Malgracepeeped in to see if he were dead. 

"Ah, traitor!" cried Sir Lancelot, "I shall overcome you yet. "

At that Sir Malgrace shut the trapdoor hastily, as if he wereafraid that Sir Lancelot could leap up ten feet in the air. Thatone look, however, cost the wicked knight dear, for the daughterof the porter saw him shutting the trapdoor, and was curious toknow who was in the dungeon. So at night she opened the trapdoorand let herself down by a rope. 

When she saw Sir Lancelot she was very sorry for him. He offeredher much money if she would free him. At last she said:

"I will do it for love of Queen Guinevere and not for money. "

She let him climb up by the rope, and took him out of thecourtyard. He was so sick that he went to a hermit's hut andrested for several days. When next Sir Malgrace looked into thedungeon he heard no movement. Then he rejoiced greatly, for hethought Sir Lancelot was dead. 

When the eighth day had come, all the knights of the Round Tableassembled in the tournament field and waited for Sir Lancelot toappear. They all thought he would surely come. But Sir Malgracerode jauntily about the field. Many of the knights wondered athis courage, not knowing the reason for his confidence. 

The herald blew his trumpet once, but Sir Lancelot did notappear; twice, and still he did not come. Then up started severalknights and begged the king to let them fight instead of SirLancelot. 

"He has been trapped, " they said, "or he would be here. "

While the king was hesitating whom to choose, in rode SirLancelot. He dashed up to Sir Malgrace. 

"Here I am, traitor, " he said. "Now do your worst. "

Then they fought, but at the first stroke Sir Malgrace fell tothe earth. 

"Mercy!" he cried, "I yield to you, Sir Knight. Do not slay me. Iput myself in the king's hands and yours. "

Sir Lancelot was much vexed. He wanted to kill Sir Malgrace forhis treachery, and yet, since the man had asked for mercy, hecould not. So he said:

"What, coward, would you stop already? Shame upon you! Get up andfight. "

"I shall not rise unless you take me as one who has yielded, "answered the knight. 

Then Sir Lancelot said:

"Traitor, I make you this offer: I will take off my helmet, unarmmy left side, and tie my left hand behind my back. In that way Iwill fight with you. "

Upon hearing this, Sir Malgrace rose to his feet, sure now ofkilling Sir Lancelot. 

"My lord King, " cried Sir Malgrace, "you have heard this offer. Iaccept. "

The king was very sorry that Sir Lancelot had made the offer. However, it was impossible to withdraw it. A squire came anddisarmed Sir Lancelot, so that his head and left side werewithout cover; and since he had only one arm to fight with, hecould not use his shield. 

Then Sir Malgrace dashed at him, aiming for his left side. SirLancelot waited till he was very near, and then lightly steppedaside. Before Sir Malgrace could turn, Sir Lancelot lifted hisspear and struck his enemy such a blow that he broke hisbreastplate and pierced his heart. 

The body of Sir Malgrace was carried off the field and taken tothe castle of his good father; Queen Guinevere was proclaimedinnocent of treason; and Sir Lancelot was honored more than everby his king and his queen. 

[Illustration: The Two Horses]

[Illustration] SIR LANCELOT AND ELAINE

Every year King Arthur's knights held a grand tournament amongthemselves, and contended in friendly combat for a prize. Thisprize was a diamond. 

Once, in the early days of his kingship, Arthur was walking on acraggy hill, when he came upon the skeleton of a man who had oncebeen a ruler. The skull still wore a gold crown set with ninelarge diamonds. King Arthur took the crown and had the diamondsunset. Each year at the friendly tournament he gave one of thesediamonds as a prize. 

There had been eight tournaments, and at each Sir Lancelot hadwon the diamond. The jewel that was to be given as a prize at theninth tournament was the largest and most beautiful of all. Everyone, of course, expected that Sir Lancelot would win it, butonly a few days before the contest he announced to the king thathe would not compete. 

Then the queen was vexed, for she loved Sir Lancelot more thanall the other knights, and it gave her great joy to see himalways successful in the tournaments. Therefore she urged him tochange his decision. 

"My queen, " he said, "I told the king I would not fight. "

The queen replied:

"My advice is that you go in disguise. The knights who contestwith you do so but half-heartedly, for they know your great fameand feel sure of failure. If they did not know who you were, theywould fight better and win more glory for themselves. Then fightas a stranger knight, and afterwards explain to the king. "

Sir Lancelot took her advice. He rode away over the woods andhills till he came to the castle of Astolat, where he decided tostop and ask for a disguise. He knocked on the gate, which wasopened by an old dumb servant, and entered the courtyard. Thelord of Astolat came to meet him with his two sons, Sir Torre andSir Lavaine, and his beautiful daughter Elaine. The lord of thecastle said:

"Fair sir, whoever you are, you are welcome. You seem to me muchlike a Knight of the Round Table. "

"That I am, " said Sir Lancelot. "Hereafter I will tell you myname; at present I wish to remain unknown. I must enter thecoming tournament as an unknown knight, and I should like toleave with you my great shield, for it is as well known inCamelot as I. Will you keep it and lend me another one?"

Then answered the Lord of Astolat:

"You may take the shield of my son Torre. He was hurt in hisfirst tournament, and has not been able to fight since. My sonLavaine will gladly go with you to the tournament. Perhaps, "added the lord, laughing, "he can win the diamond, and put it inhis sister Elaine's hair. "

"Nay, father, do not make me ashamed before this noble knight, "said the young Lavaine. "I know I can never win the diamond forElaine, but I can at least do my best to fight. "

"Gladly will I take you for a companion, " said Sir Lancelot, "andif you can, win the diamond for this fair maiden. "

"Such a diamond, " said Sir Torre, "is fit for a queen, and notfor a simple girl. "

Sir Lancelot smiled to himself. He was sure that he should winthe diamond. Then he meant to give it with the eight others toQueen Guinevere. He spoke kindly, however, to the beautifulElaine. 

"In truth, this fair maiden is fit to be a queen. "

Then Elaine lifted her eyes and looked at him. He was twice asold as she was. His face was cut and scarred with wounds which hehad received in battle, but as she looked at him, she loved him, and felt that she would continue to love him till the day of herdeath. 

They went into the great hall where a supper was laid. SirLancelot talked of King Arthur and his goodness and all hisglorious deeds. Elaine thought that even Arthur could not be sobrave as this wonderful lord. All night long she dreamed of him. In the morning she rose early and went down in the courtyardwhere Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine were mounting their horses. 

"Fair lord, " she said boldly to Sir Lancelot, "will you wear mytoken in your helmet?"

Then said Sir Lancelot:

"Fair maiden, I have never worn favor nor token for any lady inthe tournaments. This is well known to be my custom. "

"But if you wear my token, " she said, "there will be far lesslikelihood of your being known by your fellow knights. "

"That is very true, my child, " he said. "Bring it to me. What isit?"

She held it out to him; it was a red sleeve embroidered withpearls. Sir Lancelot bound it in his helmet and said:

"I have never done so much before for any maiden. "

[Illustration: _"She staid near it all day long in the turret"_]

Then he and Sir Lavaine bade Elaine farewell, and the beautifulmaiden ran up to the tower of the castle and watched them fromthe window for a long time. When they were out of sight she askedthe old dumb servant to carry Sir Lancelot's shield to the tower. It was a large shield of silver, with three lions emblazoned uponit in gold and blue, but its polished surface was covered withdents and scratches. Elaine knelt before it, and made a story foreach scratch and mark, picturing to herself the contests in whichthe good shield had taken part. For many weeks she stayed near itall day long in the turret, watching for Sir Lancelot and herbrother to return. 

Meanwhile those two had ridden lightly to Camelot, and when theywere almost there, Sir Lancelot told Sir Lavaine his name. Theyoung man was astonished. He was very happy, too, to think thathe was a companion to the great knight of whom he had heard sooften. 

When Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine arrived at the field where thetournament was to be held, they stood looking at the king, whosat upon the great carved chair which had dragons' heads for thearms and the back. On his red robe was embroidered a goldendragon, and a golden dragon was also on his crown. Above him, setin a canopy, was the ninth diamond. All about the king to leftand right were rows of ladies whose robes gave to the pavilion inwhich they sat the brilliant hues of the rainbow. 

Sir Lancelot said to young Sir Lavaine:

"Look at the king. You think I am great, but he is greater thanI. I can fight better than he can, but his soul is greater thanmine. Aim to become a Knight of the Round Table, and follow theexample of goodness which Arthur sets for his knights. "

At this moment the trumpets blew as a signal that the tournamentwas to begin. The knights spurred their horses forward, and in amoment their spears and shields clashed. Sir Lancelot rodelightly here and there, overthrowing everyone with whom hecontested. All wondered at the skill of this unknown knight. ThenSir Lancelot's kinsmen, his nephew, Sir Lionel, and others, wereangry and jealous. 

"Our Sir Lancelot should be here, " they said, "to overcome thisstranger knight. "

"Perhaps this is Sir Lancelot, " said one. "Two knights cannotfight so well in this world. It must be Sir Lancelot. "

"No, no, " said the others; "Sir Lancelot would never wear alady's favor, and this knight wears a red sleeve embroidered withpearls. Let us set on this man and teach him that if Sir Lancelotis not here, we, his kinsmen, will fight for his fame. "

Then all together they bore down on Sir Lancelot. His horse wentdown in the shock, and he himself was wounded. A spear hadpierced his breastplate and snapped off in his side. 

Young Sir Lavaine rushed to help Sir Lancelot. The great knightrose slowly and, with the help of his friend, drove back his kithand kin to the far side of the field. Then sounded a great blareof trumpets, and the king proclaimed the stranger knight victor. 

"Come forward, " the herald cried, "and take your diamond. "

But poor Sir Lancelot said:

"Talk not to me of diamonds. Give me air. I fear me I havereceived my death wound. Let me go hence, and I bid you follow menot. "

Sir Lavaine helped him upon his horse, and they two rode slowlyoff the field. When they were near the neighboring forest thegreat knight fell from his horse and cried:

"Pull forth the spear-head which is in my side. "

"Oh, my lord, " said Sir Lavaine, "I am afraid you will die if Idraw it forth. "

"I shall die if you leave it, " said Sir Lancelot. 

So Sir Lavaine drew it forth quickly, causing Sir Lancelot tofaint from the pain. Then a hermit who lived near by came tothem, and bore the wounded knight into his hut, where for many aweek Sir Lancelot lay between life and death. 

When Arthur found that the unknown knight had gone, no one knewwhither, he was sorry. He called the light-hearted Sir Gawain andsaid to him:

"Go forth, take this diamond and seek the stranger knight. Donot cease from your search till you have left the diamond in hishand. "

Then Arthur went to the queen. She had been ill and had notattended the tournament. When the king told her all that hadhappened, she cried:

"A stranger knight! My lord, my lord! That was our dear SirLancelot. He was fighting in disguise. "

"Alas! he is hurt, " said the king. "Perhaps he is dying. He saidthat he would not fight. He should have told me that he meant tofight in disguise. The truth, my queen, is always best. "

"Yes, my good lord, I know it, " she said. "If I had but let ourLancelot tell the truth, perhaps he would not have been wounded. You would have called on his kinsmen to cease. "

For many days the king and Guinevere waited in deep anxiety fornews of Sir Lancelot. Meantime, Sir Gawain rode forth and soughtfor the great knight in vain. At last he came to the castle ofAstolat, where he was welcomed by the lord and Sir Torre and thefair Elaine. He told them the result of the tournament, and howthe stranger knight had won. They showed him Sir Lancelot'sshield. 

"Ah!" said Elaine, when he had told them the name of the unknownknight, "I knew that he must be great. "

Sir Gawain guessed by the expression of her beautiful face thatshe loved Sir Lancelot. So he said:

"Fair maiden, when he returns here for his shield, give him thisdiamond, which is the prize he won. Perhaps he will prize it themore because you put it into his hand. "

Then Sir Gawain bade them farewell and rode off, lightly singing. When he told Arthur what he had done, the king said:

"You should have done as I bade you, Gawain. Sir Lancelotdeceived me about his disguise, and you have disobeyed me. Thekingdom will surely fail if the king and his rules are nothonored. Obedience is the courtesy due to kings. "

Meanwhile the fair Elaine went to her father and said:

"Dear father, let me go and seek the wounded Sir Lancelot and mybrother. "

"Nay, " said the lord, "it is not a fitting thing for a youngmaiden like you to seek a wounded knight. He is not your lover. It cannot be. "

"I would give him his diamond, " she said, "and since he is sosorely wounded, I would take care of him. It is not fitting, myfather, but I cannot live unless I know where he is and how hedoes. "

Then, because he loved his child very much and had never refusedany request she made of him, the old lord let her go in care ofSir Torre. The two rode for a long time, until at last, nearCamelot, they met Sir Lavaine. Elaine ran up to him and cried:

"Lavaine, take me to Sir Lancelot. "

Sir Lavaine was much astonished that Elaine knew the name of thestranger knight. He was glad to see her, because he thought shecould help his friend. Sir Lancelot seemed glad to see her, too, and the beautiful maiden cared for him so tenderly that the oldhermit said he never could have recovered without her nursing. When he was well enough, they all rode to the castle of Astolat. 

There Sir Lancelot remained for a few days; then he took hisshield and prepared to return to Camelot. Before he went he askedElaine if he could not do something for her in return for hercare of him. 

She grew very pale and then she said:

"I am going to say something which I should not. I love you. Takeme with you to Camelot. "

Sir Lancelot said very gently:

"My poor little maiden, if I had meant to take a wife, I shouldhave wedded earlier. All the court knows that I love only theking and the queen. You do not really love me. Some day you willmarry a young knight, and then I shall give you many castles andmuch land as a dowry. "

"I will have nothing of all that, " said Elaine. 

She turned away and climbed up to the tower, while her fathersaid to Sir Lancelot:

"I pray you, be discourteous in some way so that she will ceaseto love you. Such love is madness. "

"It is not my habit to be discourteous, " said Sir Lancelot. "However, when she stands at the turret window to wave mefarewell, I will not look up at her. "

Sir Lancelot rode sadly away, and did not look up at the windowwhere Elaine stood. She watched him till he disappeared, and thenshe fell in a swoon. Day after day she pined away, and onemorning she said to her father:

"Dear father, I am going to die. When I am dead, take my bed andcover it with rich draperies. Then dress me in my most beautifulclothes; put a letter I have here in my hand, and lay me on thebed. Set it on a barge, and let our dumb servant steer it downthe river to Camelot. "

Her father wept, and promised to do all that she asked. 

Sir Lancelot had gone to the Court, where he was received withgreat rejoicing. For many days the knights and ladies held greatfeasting in his honor, and the king and the queen would hardlyallow him to leave their presence. One day while the three stoodlooking out of the palace window, they saw a black barge comeslowly down the river. 

It stopped at the palace door, and the king, going down, saw onit the beautiful maiden Elaine, pale in death. She was dressed inwhite satin, and bore a lily in her left hand and a letter in herright. The king ordered two of his knights, the good Sir Galahadand Sir Perceval, to carry Elaine into his great hall. ThenArthur read the letter, which said:

"Most noble lord, Sir Lancelot of the Lake: I, Elaine, the maidof Astolat, come to take my last farewell of you, for you left mewithout a farewell. I loved you, and my love had no return, andso I died. "

The knights and ladies wept. Sir Lancelot said to Arthur:

"My king, I grieve for the death of this maiden, but as I did notlove her, I could not wed her. "

The king answered:

"You are not to blame, Sir Lancelot. The world has in it muchthat is sad as well as much that is joyous. There are happeningsfor which no human being can be blamed. It would be a fittingdeed, however, if you had this maiden richly buried. "

Sir Lancelot ordered a splendid funeral, such as should be givento a queen. Over Elaine's grave was raised a beautiful tomb onwhich was carved her figure, with the left hand holding a lily;at her feet lay the shield of Sir Lancelot, and the sad story ofher death was written on the tomb in letters of gold and blue. 

[Illustration: Two Crossed Swords and a Shield]

[Illustration] THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL

In Arthur's Court there were many virtuous knights and ladies, but the best of all was a beautiful maiden, sister to SirPerceval. She was so good that the evil in the world oppressedher, and she could be happy only when she was praying for allpeople to be made better. 

Once a good old man told her what was meant by the Holy Grail. 

"Grail, " he said, "is the word for the cup out of which our LordJesus drank, the night that he held the last supper with hisdisciples. Therefore, it is called holy. There is a traditionwhich says that for a long time after the death of Christ theHoly Grail remained on earth, and any one who was sick andtouched it was healed at once. But then people grew to be sowicked that it disappeared from earth. It is said that if aperson in our day were only good enough, he could see the HolyGrail. "

"Really see it?" asked the maiden, eagerly, "or see it in avision?"

"I do not know, " answered the good old man, "but either one wouldbe a great happiness. For a real sight of it, or a vision, wouldshow the person who saw it that he was sinless. "

Then the beautiful maiden prayed more than ever. She became sothin and pale that it seemed as if she were almost transparent, and at last she lay dying. One morning she sent for her brother, Sir Perceval, and for his friend, Sir Galahad. 

Sir Perceval and Sir Galahad were the two best knights inArthur's Court. They were not so powerful as Sir Lancelot or SirGeraint or Sir Gareth, but they had purer souls than these. Whenthey came to the bedside of the maiden, she said:

"Oh, my brother and my friend, I have seen the Holy Grail. Lastnight I was awakened by a sound like the music of a silver hornacross the hills. It was more beautiful music than any I haveever heard. Then through my window shone a long cold beam ofsilver light, and slowly across that beam came the Holy Grail. Itwas red like a beautiful rose, and the light reflected from itcovered all the walls with a rosy color. And then it vanished. Now I beg you to seek it; and go to the hall of Arthur and tellall the other knights to take the quest. If they can but see theGrail, it will be a sign that they are good, and that the worldis growing better. "

As she spoke, Sir Galahad's face wore an expression so like herown that Sir Perceval was amazed. But the maiden took from theside of her bed a sword-belt, and gave it to Sir Galahad. 

"Fair knight, " she said, "I have made this golden belt of myhair, and woven on it, in crimson and silver thread, the deviceof the Holy Grail. Put on this belt, bind your sword to it, andgo forth; for you, too, shall see the Holy Grail. "

Then Sir Galahad and Sir Perceval went away quietly, for they sawthat the beautiful maiden had not long to live. That night theywent to Arthur's hall. The king was absent with the queen, butmost of the knights of the Round Table were there, and to themSir Galahad and Sir Perceval told the vision that Sir Perceval'ssister had seen. 

As they spoke, suddenly the torches in the hall wereextinguished; there was a loud sound like thunder and a suddencracking of the roof. Then a beam of light, seven times strongerthan day, streamed into the room. Across the beam stole the HolyGrail. But it was covered by a luminous cloud, so that its shapecould not be seen. Slowly it vanished away. 

There was silence in the hall for a long time; the knights wereawe-struck and could not speak. At last Sir Perceval rose in hisseat and said in a low tone:

"My sister saw the vision of the Holy Grail, but I, because I ammore sinful, have seen it covered with a cloud. Yet because Iwish to see it, I vow to spend twelve months and a day in searchof it. I will pray, and live as holy a life as I can, andperhaps this vision will be mine. "

Then good Sir Bors, the cousin of Sir Lancelot, made the samevow, as did also Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain andmany others. After the vows had been taken, King Arthur entered. When all had been explained to him, his face grew sorrowful. 

"If I had been here, " he said, "I should not have allowed you toswear the vow. None of you really saw the Grail; you say it wascovered with a cloud. "

Then Sir Galahad cried out:

"My king, I saw the Grail, all crimson like a ruby, and I heard avoice which said, 'O Galahad, O Galahad, follow me!'"

"Ah, Galahad, " said the king, tenderly, "you are fit for thisquest, this search, but the others are not. Sir Lancelot is ourstrongest warrior, but he is not like Sir Galahad. Most of you, my knights, are men with strength and will to right wrongs; thatis the work you are fitted for. You have fought in twelve greatbattles with the heathen, but only one of you is fit for thisholiest of visions. Yet go, and fulfill your vow. "

The faces of the knights were downcast. The king continued:

"While you are gone, I shall need your strength here at home, butyou will be following a wandering fire. Many of you will neverreturn. "

All the company felt sad. The next day when the knights departedupon their quest, the king could hardly speak for grief, and manyof the knights and ladies wept. Those who had sworn the vow wenttogether to the great gate of the city of Camelot, and there theyseparated. 

During the next twelvemonth many a poor laborer who had beenwronged came to Arthur's Court to find a knight who would fightfor him, and many a poor widow and maiden. But because so many ofthe knights of the Round Table were absent there was little helpto be had, and Arthur's face grew sadder and sadder as time wenton. 

At last, after the twelvemonth and the day had passed, those inCamelot began to look for the return of the knights who had takenthe vow. Alas, though they waited all day long, only Sir Gawain, Sir Bors, Sir Perceval, and Sir Lancelot returned. In the eveningthe knights of the Round Table assembled in the great hall. Wheneach was seated, the king rose, and said to those who had beenupon the quest:

"My lords, I need only look at your faces to know that you havefared ill. I dare not think of those of you who have not comeback. And now, Perceval, my knight who, next to Galahad, has thepurest soul, tell me what has happened to you. "

Sir Perceval rose slowly from his chair and said:

"Dear my liege, when I left your court on the sad morning that weall set forth, I did not feel the grief that many of the otherknights felt. I had been fighting so well, so many lances hadgone down before my stroke, that I was full of confidence in whatI could do. 

"I rode happily, planning all the great victories I should win. I was sure if I righted a great many wrongs, I should soon seethe Grail. But after many days I began to grow weary. I wasriding through rough forests, and the branches bruised me and myhorse; there seemed to be no great deeds to do. I could not evenslay wild beasts, and so be of use to the poor country people. Mybed was on the hard ground, and my food was wild berries. 

"One day I came to a great castle, and here I decided to rest. When I entered, I was warmly greeted and brought to the princessof the castle. I found her to be one whom I had loved long ago inher father's court. I was but a young squire and she was a greatprincess, and so I had gone away without telling her how dear Iheld her. 

"She greeted me kindly, and after a time she began to love me. Soon I wondered whether I was fit to see the Holy Grail. Ithought perhaps I was one of those who were pursuing a wanderingfire. And then the people of the castle begged me to marry theirprincess, and be their lord and live a happy and easeful life. 

"One night I awoke, and thought longingly of the Holy Grail. Whether I were fit to see the vision or not, I had at least swornto seek it for a year and a day. And yet, I had not tried twomonths! I rose hastily, dressed, and left the castle. Then formany days I prayed and mourned. At last I sought a holy hermit, and told him all I had done and thought since I had left Arthur'sCourt. 

"The good hermit, after a short silence, said: 'My son, you havenot true humility. You have been too proud of your strength, andtoo sure in the beginning that you were fit for the vision. Youhave always thought first of yourself and your own glory, and notof the good you could do. '

"I went into the chapel of this hermit, and prayed to be relievedof the sin of pride. As I prayed, Sir Galahad entered. He wasclad in silver armor, and his face looked like that of an angel. 

"'Oh, my brother, ' he said, 'have you not seen the Grail?' Andafter I had answered, he said:

"'From the moment when I left the court of our king, the visionhas been with me. It is faint in the daytime, but at night itshines blood red. I see it on the mountains, and in the lakes, and on the marshes. It has made me so strong that everywhere I amable to do good. I have broken down many evil customs. I havefought with pagan hordes and been victor, all because of thisblessed vision. Perceval, I have not long to live. I am going tothe great city above, which is more beautiful than any earthlycity. Come out with me this night, and before you die you shallsee this vision. '

"Then I followed Sir Galahad out of the chapel. We climbed a hillwhich was steep and rugged, Sir Galahad going first, and hissilver armor guiding me. When we came to the top, a storm brokeover us, and the lightning seemed to follow us as we descendedthe hill on the other side. At the bottom of it there was a greatblack swamp, leading to the sea. It was crossed by a huge bridgebuilt by some forgotten king. Here Sir Galahad left me and ranover the bridge till he reached the sea. His armor shone like astar, far away at the edge of the water. And then I saw him nomore. 

[Illustration: _"And across it slowly moved the Holy Grail"_]

"I knelt on the black ground and wept, and wished that I were asgood as Sir Galahad, and could do deeds as he did, not to winglory, but to help those who needed help. And as I wept, I wasaware of a great light over me. I looked up and saw a silverbeam, and across it slowly moved the Holy Grail. It was no longermuffled in a cloud, but shone crimson as a ruby. 

"I made my way back to the chapel and prayed all the rest of thenight. In the morning I found Sir Galahad's body by the sea. Hewas beautiful as a saint, though he was worn and thin from longself-sacrifice. I buried him and then turned my steps to Camelot. 

"And now, my lord Arthur, I shall never fight again. I shallbecome a monk and pass my life in prayer as my sister did. Amongmy brother monks, there will be very many little deeds ofservice I can do. Thus will I spend my life. "

All the knights were very much moved and the king lookedaffectionately at Sir Perceval, but he did not speak to him. Heturned to Sir Gawain and said:

"Sir Gawain, was this quest for you?"

Then Sir Gawain, always light-hearted and easily turned away fromone thing to another, said:

"Nay, my king, such a search is not for one like me. In a littletime I became tired. I talked to a holy man who told me that Iwas not fit for such a vision. So I journeyed till I came to afield with silk pavilions and very many knights and ladies. Andwith them I lived happily for the year. "

The good king looked displeased, but his face grew tender as heturned to Sir Bors. 

"Bors, " he said, "good, faithful, and honest you have ever been. Tell me what you have seen. "

Sir Bors, who stood near Sir Lancelot, said:

"My lord Arthur, after I had started on the quest, I was toldthat madness had fallen upon my kinsman, Sir Lancelot. This sogrieved me that I had but little heart to seek for the HolyGrail. Yet I sought for it. I believed that if God meant me tosee the vision he would send it. 

"I traveled till I came to a people who were heathen. They knewmuch of magic, but nothing of God. I stayed with them, and triedto teach them our faith, but they were angry because I would notbelieve in their gods, and they put me into prison. 

"I was there many months in darkness and cold. But I tried to bepatient, and prayed that my patience would count for something, although I could not do any good deeds. I had at least beenfaithful though I failed. 

"One night a stone slipped from my prison wall, and I could see aspace of sky, with seven stars set across it. Then slowly acrossthe space glided the Holy Grail. My happiness was great, for Ihad seen the vision. 

"The next morning, a maiden who had been secretly converted toour religion released me from prison, and I came hither. "

Then the king spoke to Sir Lancelot. 

"My Lancelot, the mightiest of us all, have you succeeded in thisquest?"

Then Sir Lancelot groaned. 

"O, king!" he cried, "your mightiest, yes; and yet, far better itwould be if I were like Sir Galahad. A great sin is on my soul, and it was to be rid of this sin that I undertook the quest ofthe Holy Grail. A hermit told me that only by putting this sinaway should I ever see the vision. I strove so hard against itthat my old sickness came upon me. I became mad, and rode up anddown among waste places, fighting with small men who overthrewme. The day has been when the very sound of my name would havemade them tremble. 

"At last I came to the sea and saw a boat anchored near theshore. I stepped into it, loosed the anchor, and floated away. For seven days I sailed, and at last I came to an old castle. Ientered and heard a voice singing. I followed it up, up for athousand steps. At last I came to a door, which burst open beforeme. Perhaps I dreamed, and yet I believe I saw the Holy Grail, though it was veiled and guarded by great angels. I thought I sawall this, and then I swooned away. When I came to myself, I wasalone in the room. It was many days before I made my way back toCamelot. "

For a long time there was silence in the hall, and then SirGawain said:

"Sir king, I can fight, and I always shall fight for you. But Ido not believe in this vision. All the knights were mad, like SirLancelot. They did not really have the vision; it was but fancy. "

Then the king spoke gravely to Sir Gawain. 

"Sir Gawain, you are indeed not fit for such a vision, but youshould not doubt that others have seen it. I was right, myknights, when I said that most of you would follow a wanderingfire. How many of those who left me have not returned, and neverwill!"

The knights looked at the empty chairs. The king went on:

"Sir Galahad was the only one who completely saw the vision. Hewas indeed blessed, and fit for such a quest. You who were unfitshould have stayed with me to help govern this land. "

The knights were silent and sad; then the king said:

"My dear knights whom I love, always remember this: whether youseek for a vision, or do humble service as Sir Perceval will forhis fellow-monks, or fight to right wrongs as Sir Lancelot does, whatever you do your aim must be to make yourself useful to theworld by the work for which you are best fitted. "

The king rose from the Round Table and left the company, SirLancelot following him. Then the other knights departed, one byone, and the great hall was left empty, with its shieldsglimmering in the moonlight. 

[Illustration: The Knight with the Sword]

[Illustration] THE DEATH OF ARTHUR

King Arthur's Round Table had lasted many years, and the knightshad done much to help the people of the country; yet there weretraitors to the king among his own subjects. One of thesetraitors made war in a distant part of the kingdom, and Arthurwent with most of his knights to punish him. His nephew, SirModred, the brother of Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, ruled in hisstead at Camelot. 

Now Sir Modred was a wicked knight. He hated the king and thequeen, and Sir Lancelot. Since King Arthur was absent a longtime, Sir Modred had the opportunity of doing much harm. He letevil go unpunished; he allowed bad customs to come into thecountry; and at last he raised a rebellion against the goodking. 

When Arthur returned to Camelot to quell this rebellion, he hadlost many of his faithful knights. Sir Hector was dead, and SirUlfius and Sir Brastias; Sir Kay was dead, and Sir Bors, and SirGawain. Sir Lancelot was far away. Sir Bedivere alone remained ofthose who had been with Arthur since he had first ruled in Walesand Britain. 

The king and Sir Bedivere, with the help of such knights as stillwere faithful, tried to put down those rebels. They drove thetraitors back until they came at length to Lyonnesse by the sea. Here the last great battle took place. 

The night before the battle, Sir Bedivere heard the king praying. Then Arthur slept, and when he awakened he called to his friend:

"Sir Bedivere, " he said, "I have had a dream. I thought that SirGawain came to me and told me that to-morrow I shall die. "

"My lord, it is but a dream, " answered Sir Bedivere. "You aregreat; you have done much good which will last forever, and youwill live many years yet to perform many gracious acts. The daywill soon dawn, and you will win the battle. "

Arthur shook his head. 

"This is not like my other battles. I have no heart for it. It ishard to slay my own people, even if they are traitors. "

Day came, but no sun. A cold white mist lay over land and sea. Itchilled the knights to the bone. And when the battle began, themist was so thick that no one could see with whom he wasfighting. Friends slew each other, not knowing whom they killed. Some could not fight at all, for it seemed to them that thosemoving on the battle-field were ghosts of warriors long sinceslain. There was many a noble deed and many a base one done inthat mist. 

The fighting went on with clashing of lances and shieldsthroughout the afternoon, and then the sounds grew fainter, tillthere was silence. At last, towards sunset, a wind from the westblew the mist away. Then Arthur, with Sir Bedivere by his side, looked over the field of battle. He saw but one man standing;all the rest were dead on the seashore. And the tide had risen, and was swaying the helpless hands, and tumbling up and down thehollow helmets and the broken spears that once had fought withRome. The king's face was white, and his voice was low as he saidto Sir Bedivere:

"There lie my slain, who have died for me. I am king only of thedead. "

"Nay, lord, " said Sir Bedivere. "You are king everywhere still. Now strike a kingly stroke against the one traitor who stillstands. "

Sir Bedivere pointed at the one other living man, and the kingsaw that it was Sir Modred. Arthur threw down his scabbard andlifted his good Excalibur. Then he sprang upon the traitor. SirModred struck the king on the helmet, which had been worn thin inmany battles. The stroke cut through the steel, and woundedArthur mortally, but he used his ebbing strength for one lastblow with Excalibur, and killed Sir Modred. 

The king sank to the ground, but Sir Bedivere lifted him, andbore him to a ruined chapel near the seashore. When he had laidhim down by the broken cross in the chancel, Arthur said:

"You know well that my Excalibur was given to me by the Lady ofthe Lake. I have used it like a king. And now the time has cometo obey the writing on the blade. So take my sword Excalibur, andthrow it far out into the lake. "

Sir Bedivere took the sword and went out from the ruined chapel. He walked amid the graves of ancient knights over which the seawind was singing. He passed the barren cliffs and chasms, andreached the lake at last. 

He lifted Excalibur, and as he did so the moon came from behindthe clouds. The light fell on the hilt of the sword, and all thejewels shone. Sir Bedivere looked until his eyes were dazzled; hecould not throw the beautiful weapon away. So he hid it in theweeds upon the shore of the lake, and returned to the king. 

"What did you see or hear?" asked Arthur. 

Sir Bedivere replied:

"I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, and the wild waterlapping on the crags. "

King Arthur, faint and pale, said:

"You have betrayed me. You have acted a lie. Had you thrown thesword, something would have happened, some sign would have beengiven. Go back now, and throw it into the lake. "

Sir Bedivere went back and again picked up Excalibur. As helooked at it he said aloud:

"Surely it is not right to throw away such a precious thing. Itwould please the eyes of people forever. I know it is wrong todisobey the king. Yet he is sick; perhaps he does not know whathe is doing. If I keep Excalibur and store it in a greattreasure-house, people will look at it throughout all the comingyears, and feel great reverence for the king who fought with it. "

So again Sir Bedivere hid the sword and returned to the king, whoasked:

"What have you seen or heard?"

And Sir Bedivere replied:

"I heard the water lapping on the crag, and the long ripplewashing in the reeds. "

Then the king was very angry. 

"Ah, unkind!" he cried. "You, too, are a traitor. Because I amdying, I have no authority. You refuse to obey me, you who arethe last of my knights! Yet it is possible for a man to fail inhis duty twice, and succeed the third time. Go now, and throwExcalibur. "

Sir Bedivere ran quickly and seized the sword, shutting his eyesthat he might not see its beauty. He whirled it round his headand threw it far out over the lake. It flashed in the moonlightand fell. But before it reached the surface of the water, an arm, clothed in pure white, rose and caught it, brandished it threetimes, and then drew it under the water. 

When Sir Bedivere went back to Arthur, the king knew that he hadbeen obeyed. 

"I am dying, " he said. "Lift me on your back and carry me to thelake. "

Then Sir Bedivere carried the helpless king, walking quicklythrough the place of tombs, and over the crags, and past thechasms, till he came to the smooth shining lake. There beside thebank was a barge, all black. The deck was covered with statelyfigures of people clad in mourning. Among them were three fairqueens with crowns of gold--the three queens who were to helpArthur at his need. 

They had come to take him away, Sir Bedivere did not know where. When they saw the wounded king, they gave a cry of grief thatseemed to rise to the stars. Then they lifted him into the barge. The tallest put his head on her knees, and took off his brokenhelmet. She called him by name, weeping bitterly. 

Poor Sir Bedivere cried:

"Oh, my Lord Arthur, you are leaving me. Where shall I go? Thegreat Round Table is broken up forever. What shall I do?"

Then Arthur answered:

"Old customs pass and new ones come. God makes his world betterin many ways. The Round Table did its work and now has disappeared;but something else will surely come to advance the cause oftruth and justice. Pray for me and for yourself. More things aredone by prayer than this world dreams of. And now, farewell! Youshall never see me again, my Bedivere. My work is done; yours, too, is nearly over. Farewell!"

Then the barge moved slowly away, while those on board lamented. Sir Bedivere watched it till it disappeared amid the shadows overthe lake. Then he rose slowly and wandered back to Lyonnesse. 

After a time he went to Camelot. There was a new king there, whowas good, and new customs, also good. But Sir Bedivere was tooold to change his way of life. He spent the rest of his days inCamelot, but he lived only in the past, dreaming of the time whenKing Arthur and his knights of the Round Table ruled in the land. 

[Illustration: The Shield and the Sword]