Sir Thomas Malory c. 1430-c. 1470 THE DRAWING OF THE SWORD (From the Morte d'Arthur, c. 1470) to behold the stone and the sword. And when they saw the scripture, some assayed, such as would have been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. He is not here, said the 5 Archbishop, that shall achieve the sword, but doubt not God will make him known. But this is my counsel, said the Archbishop, that we let purvey2 ten knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this sword. So it was ordained, should assay that would, for to win the sword. And upon New Year's Day the barons let make a joust and a tournament, that all knights that would joust or tourney there So on the morn all the barons with Merlin came before the king; then Merlin said aloud unto king Uther, Sire, shall your son Arthur 10 and then there was made a cry, that every man be king after your days, of this realm with all the appurtance? Then Uther Pendragon turned him and said in hearing of them all, I give him God's blessing and mine, and bid him pray for my soul, and righteously and 15 might play, and all this was ordained for to worshipfully that he claim the crown upon forfeiture of my blessing, and therewith he yielded up the ghost, and then was he interred as longed to a king. Wherefore the queen, fair Igraine, made great sorrow, and all the barons. 20 done, the barons rode unto the field, some to keep the lords together, and the commons, for the Archbishop trusted that God would make him known that should win the sword. So upon New Year's Day, when the service was joust and some to tourney, and so it happened that Sir Ector, that had great livelihood about London, rode unto the jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was his nourished brother;3 and Sir Kay was made knight at All Hallowmass afore. So as they rode to the jousts-ward, Sir Kay lost his sword, for he had left it at his father's lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur for to ride for his sword. I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword, and when he came home, the lady and all were out to see the jousting. Then was Arthur wroth, and said to himself, I will ride to the churchyard, and take the sword with me that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this day. So when he came to the churchyard, Sir Arthur alit and tied his horse to the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no knights there, for they were at jousting; and so he handled the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode his way until he came to his brother Sir Kay, and Then stood the realm in great jeopardy long while, for every lord that was mighty of men made him strong, and many weened to have been king. Then Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and councilled him for 25 to send for all the lords of the realm, and all the gentlemen of arms, that they should to London come by Christmas, upon pain of cursing; and for this cause, that Jesus, that was born on that night, that He would of His 30 great mercy show some miracle, as He was come to be king of mankind, for to show some miracle who should be right-wise king of this realm. So the Archbishop, by the advice of Merlin, sent for all the lords and gentlemen of 35 arms that they should come by Christmas even unto London. And many of them made them clean of their life, that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God. So in the greatest church of London, whether it were 40 Paul's or not, the French book maketh no mention, all the estates were long ere day in the church for to pray. And when matins and the first mass was done, there was seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great 45 delivered him the sword. And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist well it was the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir Ector, and said: Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone, wherefore I must be king of this land. stone four square, like unto a marble stone, and in midst thereof was like an anvil of steel a foot on high, and therein stuck a fair sword naked by the point, and letters there were written in gold about the sword that said 50 When Sir Ector beheld the sword, he returned again and came to the church, and there they alit all three, and went into the church. And anon he made Sir Kay swear upon a book how he came to that sword. Sir, said Sir Kay, by thus:-Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England. Then the people marvelled, and told it to the Archbishop. I command, said the Archbishop, that ye keep you within your 55 my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me. church, and pray unto God still; that no man touch the sword till the high mass be all done. So when all masses were done all the lords went 1 Belonged. How gat ye this sword? said Sir Ector to 3 Foster brother. spears. I have enow, said the knight; so there came a squire and brought in good spears, and Arthur chose one and he another; so they spurred their horses and came together 5 with all their mights, that either brake their spears to their hands. Then Arthur set hand on his sword. Nay, said the knight, ye shall do better; ye are a passing good jouster as ever I met withal; and once for the love of the high home to deliver me his sword, and so I thought my brother Sir Kay should not be swordless, and so I came hither eagerly and pulled it out of the stone without any pain. Found ye any knights about this sword, said Sir Ector. Nay, said Arthur. Now, said Sir Ector to Arthur, I understand ye must be king of this land. Wherefore I, said Arthur, and for what cause? Sir, said Ector, for God will have it so, for there should never man have drawn out 10 order of knighthood let us joust once again. this sword, but he shall be rightwise king of this land. Now let me see whether ye can put the sword there as it was, and pull it out again. That is no mastery, said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone. Wherewith Sir Ector assayed 15 other knight hit him so hard in midst of the to pull out the sword and failed. I assent me, said Arthur. Anon there were brought two great spears, and every knight gat a spear, and therewith they ran together, that Arthur's spear all to-shivered. But the shield, that horse and man fell to the earth, and therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword, and said, I will assay thee, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the honour on horse Now assay, said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay. And anon he pulled at the sword with all his might, but it would not be. Now shall ye assay, said Sir Ector to Arthur. I will well, 20 back. I will be on horseback, said the knight. said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And therewithal Sir Ector knelt down to the earth, and Sir Kay. Then was Arthur wroth, and dressed his shield toward him with his sword drawn. When the knight saw that, he alit, for him thought no worship to have a knight at such avail,' he to ARTHUR'S ENCOUNTER WITH PELL-25 be on horseback and he on foot; and so he alit INORE and dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong battle with many great strokes, and so hewed with their swords that the cantels flew in the fields, and much blood they And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day, and then was he aware of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain him. 30 bled both, that all the place there as they fought was overbled with blood. And thus they fought long and rested them, and then they went to the battle again, and so hurtled together like two rams that either fell to the earth. So at the last they smote together that both their swords met even together. But the sword of the knight smote King Arthur's sword in two pieces, wherefor he was heavy. Then said the knight unto Arthur, Thou art in my thee, and but thou yield thee as overcome and recreant, thou shalt die. As for death, said King Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh. But to yield me unto thee as recreant I had Then the king rode unto them, and bade them: Flee, churls! then were they afeared when they saw a knight, and fled. O Merlin, said Arthur, here hadst thou been slain for all thy crafts had I not been. Nay, said Merlin, not so, for I 35 could save myself an I would; and thou art more near thy death than I am, for thou goest to the deathward, an God be not thy friend. So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain, and the rich pavilion there by it. 40 danger whether me list to save thee or slay Then King Arthur was ware where sat a knight armed in a chair. Sir knight, said Arthur, for what cause abidest thou here, that there may no knight ride this way but if he joust with thee? said the king. I rede thee leave that 45 liefer die than to be so shamed. And therecustom, said Arthur. This custom, said the knight, have I used and will use maugre who saith nay, and who is grieved with my custom let him amend it that will. I will amend it, said Arthur. I shall defend' thee, said the 50 knight. Anon he took his horse and dressed his shield and took a spear, and they met so hard either in other's shields, that all toshivered their spears. Therewith anon Arthur pulled out his sword. Nay, not so, said 55 thou puttest this realm in the greatest damage the knight; it is fairer, said the knight, that we twain run more together with sharp spears. I will well, said Arthur, an I had any more 2 Broke to pieces. I Prevent. withal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him by the middle and threw him down, and rased off his helm.5 When the knight felt that, he was adread, for he was passing big man of might, and anon he brought Arthur under him, and rased off his helm and would have smitten off his head. Therewithal came Merlin and said, Knight, hold thy hand, for an thou slay that knight that ever was realm; for this knight is a man of more worship than thou wotest of. Why, who is he? said the knight. It is King Arthur. 3 Advantage. 4 Pieces. 5 Helmet. Then would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his sword, and therewith Merlin cast an enchantment to the knight, that he fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur, and rode forth on the Knight's horse. Alas! said Arthur, what hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain this good knight by thy crafts? There liveth not so worshipful a knight as he was; I had liefer than the stint of my land a year that he were alive. 10 He hath ado with a knight of yours that hight Care ye not, said Merlin, for he is wholler than ye; for he is but asleep, and will awake within three hours. I told you, said Merlin, what a knight he was; here had ye been slain had I not ship, and when they came to the sword that the hand held, Sir Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water. And so they 5 came unto the land and rode forth, and then Sir Arthur saw a rich pavilion. What signifieth yonder pavilion? That is the knight's pavilion, said Merlin, that ye fought with last, Sir Pellinore; but he is out, he is not there. Egglame, and they have foughten together, but at the last Egglame fled, and else he had been dead, and he hath chased him even to Carleon, and we shall meet with him anon in the high been. Also there liveth not a bigger knight 15 way. That is well said, said Arthur, now have than he is one, and he shall hereafter do you right good service; and his name is Pellinore. HOW ARTHUR GOT THE SWORD FROM I a sword, now will I wage battle with him, and be avenged on him. Sir, ye shall not so, said Merlin, for the knight is weary of fighting and chasing, so that ye shall have no worship 20 to have ado with him; also he will not be lightly matched of one knight living, and therefore it is my counsel, let him pass, for he shall do you good service in short time, and his sons after his days. Also ye shall see that day in short space, ye shall be right glad to give him your sister to wed. When I see him, I will do as ye advise, said Arthur. Then Sir Arthur looked on the sword, and liked it passing well. Whether liketh you better, said Merlin, the sword or the scabbard? Me liketh better the sword, said Arthur. Ye are more unwise, said Merlin, for the scabbard is worth ten of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall never lose no blood, be ye never so sore wounded; therefore keep well the scabbard always with you. So they rode unto Carleon, and by the way they met with Sir Pellinore; but Merlin had done such a craft, that Pellinore saw not Arthur, and he passed by without any words. I marvel, said Arthur, that the knight would not speak. Sir, said Merlin, he saw you not, for an he had seen you, ye had not lightly departed. So they came unto Carleon, whereof his knights were passing Right so the king and he departed, and went unto an hermit that was a good man and a great leech. So the hermit searched all his wounds and gave him good salves; so the king 25 was there three days, and then were his wounds well amended that he might ride and go, and so departed. And as they rode, Arthur said, I have no sword. No force,' said Merlin, hereby is a sword that shall be yours, an I may. 30 So they rode till they came to a lake, the which was a fair water and broad. And in the midst of the lake Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in white samite,2 that held a fair sword in that hand. Lo! said Merlin, yonder is that sword 35 that I spake of. With that they saw a damosel going upon the lake. What damosel is that? said Arthur. That is the Lady of the lake, said Merlin; and within that lake is a rock, and therein is as fair a place as any on earth, and 40 richly besene; and this damosel will come to you anon, and then speak ye fair to her that she will give you that sword. Anon withal came the damosel unto Arthur, and saluted him, and he her again. Damosel, said Arthur, what 45 glad. And when they heard of his adventures, sword is that, that yonder the arm holdeth above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword. Sir Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it. 50 poor knights did. By my faith, said Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will ask. Well! said the damosel, go ye into yonder barge, and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my gift when I see my time. So 55 Sir Arthur and Merlin alit and tied their horses to two trees, and so they went into the • Himself. It matters not. Rich silk. 7 Income. 3 i. e. Beautiful to be seen. they marvelled that he would jeopard his person so alone. But all men of worship said it was merry to be under such a chieftan, that would put his person in adventure as other SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTS OUT OF ENGLAND My fair fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I must depart out of this most noble realm, and now I shall depart it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with no worship, for a flemyd1 man 1 Banished. departed never out of a realm with no worship; vengenace of Sir Gawaine, all that they might overrun. TIDINGS MAKE ARTHUR RETURN TO Alas, said the King, that ever this unhappy war was begun; for ever Sir Launcelot forbeareth me in all places, and in likewise my kin, Sir Gawaine. Then King Arthur fell sick for sorrow of Sir Gawaine, that he was so sore hurt, and by cause of the war betwixt him and Sir Launcelot. So then they on King Arthur's Lavaine, with many others, Sir, an ye be so 10 and that is seen well this day by my nephew disposed to abide in this land, we will never fail you; and if ye list not to abide in this land there is none of the good knights that here be will fail you, for many causes. One is, All we that be not of your blood shall never be wel- 15 party1 kept the siege with little war withoutcome to the court. And sithen it liked us to take a part with you in your distress and heaviness in this realm, wit you well it shall like us as well to go in other countries with you, forth; and they withinforth kept their walls, and defended them when need was. Thus as this siege endured, and as Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month; and when he and there to take such part as ye do. My fair 20 was well recovered and ready within three lords, said Sir Launcelot, I well understand you KING ARTHUR MAKES MORDRED 40 days to do battle again with Sir Launcelot, right so came tidings unto Arthur from England that made King Arthur and all his host to remove. As Sir Mordred was ruler of all England, he did so make letters as though that they came from beyond the sea and the letters specified that King Arthur was slain in battle with Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred made a parliament, and called the lords together, and there he made them to choose him King; and so was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a feast there fifteen days. Then came word to Sir Mordred that King Arthur had araised the siege for Sir Launcelot, and he was coming homeward with a great host, to be avenged upon Sir Mordred; wherefore Sir Mordred made write writs to all the barony of this land, and much people drew to him. For then was the common voice among them that with Arthur was none other life but war and strife, and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus was Sir Arthur depraved and evil said of. And many there were that So leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and 45 King Arthur had made up of naught, and his noble knights with him, and return we again unto King Arthur and to Sir Gawaine, that made a great host ready, to the number of threescore thousand; and all thing was made ready for their shipping to pass over the sea, 50 and so they shipped at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made Sir Mordred chief ruler of all England, and also he put Queen Guenever under his governance; by cause Sir Mordred was King Arthur's son, he gave him the rule of 55 his land and of his wife; and so the king passed the sea and landed upon Sir Launcelot's lands, and there he brent and wasted, through the 2 Since. given them lands, might not then say him a good word. Lo ye all Englishmen, see ye not what a mischief here was, for he that was the most king and knight of the world, and most loved the fellowship of noble knights, and by him they were all upholden, now might not these Englishmen hold them content with him. Lo thus was the old custom and usage of this land; and also men say that we of this land have not yet lost nor forgotten that custom and usage. Alas, this is a great default of us Englishmen, for there may no thing please us now term. And so fared the people at that time, they were better pleased with Sir Mordred than they were with King Arthur; and much people drew unto Sir Mordred, and said they would abide with him for better and for worse. And so Sir Mordred drew with a great host to Dover, for there he heard say that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own father from his lands; and the most party of all England held with Sir Mordred, the people were so new fangle. field. And when Arthur should depart, he warned all his host that an they see any sword drawn, Look ye come on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him. 5 In likewise Sir Mordred warned his host that, An ye see any sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that ever before you standeth; for in no wise I will not trust for this treatise, for I know well my father will be 10 avenged on me. And so they met as their appointment was, and so they were agreed and accorded thoroughly; and wine was fetched, and they drank. Right soon came an adder out of a little heath bush and it stung a knight on the And so as Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, there came King Arthur with a great navy of ships, and galleys, and carracks.3 And there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting upon his landing, to let his own father to land 15 foot. And when the knight felt him stung, he upon the land that he was King over. Then looked down and saw the adder, and then he there was launching of great boats and small, drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought and full of noble men of arms; and there was of none other harm. And when the host on much slaughter of gentle knights, and many a both parties saw that sword drawn, then they full bold baron was laid full low, on both 20 blew beamous, trumpets, and horns, and shouted grimly. them together. 3 And so both hosts dressed And King Arthur took his horse and said, Alas this unhappy day, and so rode to his party. And Sir Mordred in like parties. But King Arthur was so courageous that there might no manner of knights let him to land, and his knights fiercely followed him; and so they landed maugre Sir Mordred and all his power, and put Sir Mordred aback, that 25 wise. And never was there seen a more dolehe fled and all his people. THE DEATH OF ARTHUR fuller battle in no Christian land; for there was but rushing and riding, feigning and striking, and many a grim word was there spoken either to other, and many a deadly stroke. But ever Sir Mordred many times, and did full nobly as a noble knight should, and at all times he fainted never; and Sir Mordred that day put him in devoir, and in great peril. And thus they Then was it told the King that Sir Mordred 30 King Arthur rode throughout the battle of had pyghte1 a new field upon Barham Down. And upon the morn the King rode thither to him, and there was a great battle betwixt them, and much people was slain on both parties; but at the last Sir Arthur's party stood best, and 35 fought all the long day, and never stinted till Sir Mordred and his party fled unto Canterbury. . . . the noble knights were laid to the cold earth; and ever they fought still till it was near night, and by that time was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon the ground. Then was Then the King commanded Sir Lucan the Butler and his brother Sir Bedivere, with two bishops with them, and charged them in any 40 Arthur woods wroth out of measure, when he saw his people so slain from him. Then the king looked about him, and then was he ware, of all his host and of all his good knights, were left no more alive but two knights; that one wise, an they might, take a treaty for a month day with Sir Mordred, and spare not, proffer him lands and goods as much as ye think best. So then they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim host of an hundred 45 was Sir Lucan the Butler, and his brother Sir thousand men. And there they entreated Sir Mordred long time; and at the last Sir Mordred was agreed for to have Cornwall and Kent, by Arthur's days: after, all England, after the days of King Arthur. Bedivere, and they were full sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king, where are all my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should see this doleful day, for now, said Arthur, I am 50 come to mine end. But would to God that 1 wist where were that traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all this mischief. Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned upon his sword among a great heap of dead Then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen persons; and they came with this word unto Arthur. Then said he, I am 55 men. Now give me my spear, said Arthur unto |