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Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




<354>
Then the damosel stood still a great while and beheld many of
those knights. Then spake the knight, La Cote Male Taile: Fair
damosel, I will take the shield and that adventure upon me, so I
wist I should know whitherward my journey might be; for because I
was this day made knight I would take this adventure upon me.
What is your name, fair young man? said the damosel. My name is,
said he, La Cote Male Taile. Well mayest thou be called so, said
the damosel, the knight with the evil-shapen coat; but an thou be
so hardy to take upon thee to bear that shield and to follow me,
wit thou well thy skin shall be as well hewn as thy coat. As for
that, said La Cote Male Taile, when I am so hewn I will ask you
no salve to heal me withal. And forthwithal there came into the
court two squires and brought him great horses, and his armour,
and his spears, and anon he was armed and took his leave. I
would not by my will, said the king, that ye took upon you that
hard adventure. Sir, said he, this adventure is mine, and the
first that ever I took upon me, and that will I follow
whatsomever come of me. Then that damosel departed, and La Cote
Male Taile fast followed after. And within a while he overtook
the damosel, and anon she missaid him in the foulest manner.



CHAPTER III

How La Cote Male Taile overthrew Sir Dagonet the king's
fool, and of the rebuke that he had of the damosel.

THEN Sir Kay ordained Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, to follow
after La Cote Male Taile; and there Sir Kay ordained that Sir
Dagonet was horsed and armed, and bade him follow La Cote Male
Taile and proffer him to joust, and so he did; and when he saw La
Cote Male Taile, he cried and bade him make him ready to joust.
So Sir La Cote Male Taile smote Sir Dagonet over his horse's
croup. Then the damosel mocked La Cote Male Taile, and said:
<355>Fie for shame! now art thou shamed in Arthur's court, when
they send a fool to have ado with thee, and specially at thy
first jousts; thus she rode long, and chid. And within a while
there came Sir Bleoberis, the good knight, and there he jousted
with La Cote Male Taile, and there Sir Bleoberis smote him so
sore, that horse and all fell to the earth. Then La Cote Male
Taile arose up lightly, and dressed his shield, and drew his
sword, and would have done battle to the utterance, for he was
wood wroth. Not so, said Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, as at this time
I will not fight upon foot. Then the damosel Maledisant rebuked
him in the foulest manner, and bade him: Turn again, coward.
Ah, damosel, he said, I pray you of mercy to missay me no more,
my grief is enough though ye give me no more; I call myself never
the worse knight when a mare's son faileth me, and also I count
me never the worse knight for a fall of Sir Bleoberis.

So thus he rode with her two days; and by fortune there came Sir
Palomides and encountered with him, and he in the same wise
served him as did Bleoberis to-forehand. What dost thou here in
my fellowship? said the damosel Maledisant, thou canst not sit no
knight, nor withstand him one buffet, but if it were Sir Dagonet.
Ah, fair damosel, I am not the worse to take a fall of Sir
Palomides, and yet great disworship have I none, for neither
Bleoberis nor yet Palomides would not fight with me on foot. As
for that, said the damosel, wit thou well they have disdain and
scorn to light off their horses to fight with such a lewd knight
as thou art. So in the meanwhile there came Sir Mordred, Sir
Gawaine's brother, and so he fell in the fellowship with the
damosel Maledisant. And then they came afore the Castle
Orgulous, and there was such a custom that there might no knight
come by that castle but either he must joust or be prisoner, or
at the least to lose his horse and his harness. And there came
out two knights against them, and Sir Mordred jousted with the
foremost, and that knight of the castle smote Sir Mordred down
off his horse. And then La Cote Male Taile jousted with that
other, and either of them <356>smote other down, horse and all,
to the earth. And when they avoided their horses, then either of
them took other's horses. And then La Cote Male Taile rode unto
that knight that smote down Sir Mordred, and jousted with him.
And there Sir La Cote Male Taile hurt and wounded him passing
sore, and put him from his horse as he had been dead. So he
turned unto him that met him afore, and he took the flight
towards the castle, and Sir La Cote Male Taile rode after him
into the Castle Orgulous, and there La Cote Male Taile slew him.



CHAPTER IV

How La Cote Male Taile fought against an hundred
knights, and how he escaped by the mean of a lady.

AND anon there came an hundred knights about him and assailed
him; and when he saw his horse should be slain he alighted and
voided his horse, and put the bridle under his feet, and so put
him out of the gate. And when he had so done he hurled in among
them, and dressed his back unto a lady's chamber-wall, thinking
himself that he had liefer die there with worship than to abide
the rebukes of the damosel Maledisant. And in the meantime as he
stood and fought, that lady whose was the chamber went out slily
at her postern, and without the gates she found La Cote Male
Taile's horse, and lightly she gat him by the bridle, and tied
him to the postern. And then she went unto her chamber slily
again for to behold how that one knight fought against an hundred
knights. And when she had beheld him long she went to a window
behind his back, and said: Thou knight, thou fightest wonderly
well, but for all that at the last thou must needs die, but, an
thou canst through thy mighty prowess, win unto yonder postern,
for there have I fastened thy horse to abide thee: but wit thou
well thou must think on thy worship, and think not to die, for
thou mayst not win unto that postern without <357>thou do nobly
and mightily. When La Cote Male Taile heard her say so he
gripped his sword in his hands, and put his shield fair afore
him, and through the thickest press he thrulled through them.
And when he came to the postern he found there ready four
knights, and at two the first strokes he slew two of the knights,
and the other fled; and so he won his horse and rode from them.
And all as it was it was rehearsed in King Arthur's court, how he
slew twelve knights within the Castle Orgulous; and so he rode on
his way.

And in the meanwhile the damosel said to Sir Mordred: I ween my
foolish knight be either slain or taken prisoner: then were they
ware where he came riding. And when he was come unto them he
told all how he had sped and escaped in despite of them all: And
some of the best of them will tell no tales. Thou liest falsely,
said the damosel, that dare I make good, but as a fool and a
dastard to all knighthood they have let thee pass. That may ye
prove, said La Cote Male Taile. With that she sent a courier of
hers, that rode alway with her, for to know the truth of this
deed; and so he rode thither lightly, and asked how and in what
manner that La Cote Male Taile was escaped out of the castle.
Then all the knights cursed him, and said that he was a fiend and
no man: For he hath slain here twelve of our best knights, and
we weened unto this day that it had been too much for Sir
Launcelot du Lake or for Sir Tristram de Liones. And in despite
of us all he is departed from us and maugre our heads.

With this answer the courier departed and came to Maledisant his
lady, and told her all how Sir La Cote Male Taile had sped at the
Castle Orgulous. Then she smote down her head, and said little.
By my head, said Sir Mordred to the damosel, ye are greatly to
blame so to rebuke him, for I warn you plainly he is a good
knight, and I doubt not but he shall prove a noble knight; but as
yet he may not yet sit sure on horseback, for he that shall be a
good horseman it must come of usage and exercise. But when he
cometh to the strokes of his sword <358>he is then noble and
mighty, and that saw Sir Bleoberis and Sir Palomides, for wit ye
well they are wily men of arms, and anon they know when they see
a young knight by his riding, how they are sure to give him a
fall from his horse or a great buffet. But for the most part
they will not light on foot with young knights, for they are
wight and strongly armed. For in likewise Sir Launcelot du Lake,
when he was first made knight, he was often put to the worse upon
horseback, but ever upon foot he recovered his renown, and slew
and defoiled many knights of the Round Table. And therefore the
rebukes that Sir Launcelot did unto many knights causeth them
that be men of prowess to beware; for often I have seen the old
proved knights rebuked and slain by them that were but young
beginners. Thus they rode sure talking by the way together.



CHAPTER V

How Sir Launcelot came to the court and heard of La Cote
Male Taile, and how he followed after him, and how
La Cote Male Taile was prisoner.

HERE leave we off a while of this tale, and speak we of Sir
Launcelot du Lake,[*9] that when he was come to the court of King
Arthur, then heard he tell of the young knight La Cote Male
Taile, how he slew the lion, and how he took upon him the
adventure of the black shield, the which was named at that time
the hardiest adventure of the world. So God me save, said Sir
Launcelot unto many of his fellows, it was shame to all the noble
knights to suffer such a young knight to take such adventure upon
him for his destruction; for I will that ye wit, said Sir
Launcelot, that that damosel Maledisant hath borne that shield
many a day for to seek the most proved knights, and that was she
that Breuse Saunce Pite took that shield from her, and after
Tristram de Liones rescued that shield from him and <359>gave it
to the damosel again, a little afore that time that Sir Tristram
fought with my nephew Sir Blamore de Ganis, for a quarrel that
was betwixt the King of Ireland and him. Then many knights were
sorry that Sir La Cote Male Taile was gone forth to that
adventure. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I cast me to ride after
him. And within seven days Sir Launcelot overtook La Cote Male
Taile, and then he saluted him and the damosel Maledisant. And
when Sir Mordred saw Sir Launcelot, then he left their
fellowship; and so Sir Launcelot rode with them all a day, and
ever that damosel rebuked La Cote Male Taile; and then Sir
Launcelot answered for him, then she left off, and rebuked Sir
Launcelot.


[*9] Printed by Caxton as part of chap. iv.


So this meantime Sir Tristram sent by a damosel a letter unto Sir
Launcelot, excusing him of the wedding of Isoud la Blanche Mains;
and said in the letter, as he was a true knight he had never ado
fleshly with Isoud la Blanche Mains; and passing courteously and
gentily Sir Tristram wrote unto Sir Launcelot, ever beseeching
him to be his good friend and unto La Beale Isoud of Cornwall,
and that Sir Launcelot would excuse him if that ever he saw her.
And within short time by the grace of God, said Sir Tristram,
that he would speak with La Beale Isoud, and with him right
hastily. Then Sir Launcelot departed from the damosel and from
Sir La Cote Male Taile, for to oversee that letter, and to write
another letter unto Sir Tristram de Liones.

And in the meanwhile La Cote Male Taile rode with the damosel
until they came to a castle that hight Pendragon; and there were
six knights stood afore him, and one of them proffered to joust
with La Cote Male Taile. And there La Cote Male Taile smote him
over his horse's croup. And then the five knights set upon him
all at once with their spears, and there they smote La Cote Male
Taile down, horse and man. And then they alighted suddenly, and
set their hands upon him all at once, and took him prisoner, and
so led him unto the castle and kept him as prisoner.

And on the morn Sir Launcelot arose, and delivered <360>the
damosel with letters unto Sir Tristram, and then he took his way
after La Cote Male Taile; and by the way upon a bridge there was
a knight proffered Sir Launcelot to joust, and Sir Launcelot
smote him down, and then they fought upon foot a noble battle
together, and a mighty; and at the last Sir Launcelot smote him
down grovelling upon his hands and his knees. And then that
knight yielded him, and Sir Launcelot received him fair. Sir,
said the knight, I require thee tell me your name, for much my
heart giveth unto you. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, as at this time
I will not tell you my name, unless then that ye tell me your
name. Certainly, said the knight, my name is Sir Nerovens, that
was made knight of my lord Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah, Nerovens
de Lile, said Sir Launcelot, I am right glad that ye are proved a
good knight, for now wit ye well my name is Sir Launcelot du
Lake. Alas, said Sir Nerovens de Lile, what have I done! And
therewithal flatling he fell to his feet, and would have kissed
them, but Sir Launcelot would not let him; and then either made
great joy of other. And then Sir Nerovens told Sir Launcelot
that he should not go by the Castle of Pendragon: For there is a
lord, a mighty knight, and many knights with him, and this night
I heard say that they took a knight prisoner yesterday that rode
with a damosel, and they say he is a Knight of the Round Table.



CHAPTER VI

How Sir Launcelot fought with six knights, and after
with Sir Brian, and how he delivered the prisoners.

AH, said Sir Launcelot, that knight is my fellow, and him shall I
rescue or else I shall lose my life therefore. And therewithal
he rode fast till he came before the Castle of Pendragon; and
anon therewithal there came six knights, and all made them ready
to set upon Sir Launcelot at once; then Sir Launcelot feutred his
spear, and smote the <361>foremost that he brake his back in-
sunder, and three of them hit and three failed. And then Sir
Launcelot passed through them, and lightly he turned in again,
and smote another knight through the breast and throughout the
back more than an ell, and therewithal his spear brake. So then
all the remnant of the four knights drew their swords and lashed
at Sir Launcelot. And at every stroke Sir Launcelot bestowed so
his strokes that at four strokes sundry they avoided their
saddles, passing sore wounded; and forthwithal he rode hurling
into that castle.

And anon the lord of the castle, that was that time cleped Sir
Brian de les Isles, the which was a noble man and a great enemy
unto King Arthur, within a while he was armed and upon horseback.
And then they feutred their spears and hurled together so
strongly that both their horses rashed to the earth. And then
they avoided their saddles, and dressed their shields, and drew
their swords, and flang together as wood men, and there were many
strokes given in a while. At the last Sir Launcelot gave to Sir
Brian such a buffet that he kneeled upon his knees, and then Sir
Launcelot rashed upon him, and with great force he pulled off his
helm; and when Sir Brian saw that he should be slain he yielded
him, and put him in his mercy and in his grace. Then Sir
Launcelot made him to deliver all his prisoners that he had
within his castle, and therein Sir Launcelot found of Arthur's
knights thirty, and forty ladies, and so he delivered them; and
then he rode his way. And anon as La Cote Male Taile was
delivered he gat his horse, and his harness, and his damosel
Maledisant.

The meanwhile Sir Nerovens, that Sir Launcelot had foughten
withal afore at the bridge, he sent a damosel after Sir Launcelot
to wit how he sped at the Castle of Pendragon. And then they
within the castle marvelled what knight he was, when Sir Brian
and his knights delivered all those prisoners. Have ye no
marvel, said the damosel, for the best knight in this world was
here, and did this journey, and wit ye well, she said, it was Sir
Launcelot. Then was Sir Brian full glad, and so was his
<362>lady, and all his knights, that such a man should win them.
And when the damosel and La Cote Male Taile understood that it
was Sir Launcelot du Lake that had ridden with them in
fellowship, and that she remembered her how she had rebuked him
and called him coward, then was she passing heavy.

CHAPTER VII

How Sir Launcelot met with the damosel named Male
disant, and named her the Damosel Bienpensant.

SO then they took their horses and rode forth a pace after Sir
Launcelot. And within two mile they overtook him, and saluted
him, and thanked him, and the damosel cried Sir Launcelot mercy
of her evil deed and saying: For now I know the flower of all
knighthood is departed even between Sir Tristram and you. For
God knoweth, said the damosel, that I have sought you my lord,
Sir Launcelot, and Sir Tristram long, and now I thank God I have
met with you; and once at Camelot I met with Sir Tristram, and
there he rescued this black shield with the white hand holding a
naked sword that Sir Breuse Saunce Pite had taken from me. Now,
fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, who told you my name? Sir,
said she, there came a damosel from a knight that ye fought
withal at the bridge, and she told me your name was Sir Launcelot
du Lake. Blame have she then, said Sir Launcelot, but her lord,
Sir Nerovens, hath told her. But, damosel, said Sir Launcelot,
upon this covenant I will ride with you, so that ye will not
rebuke this knight Sir La Cote Male Taile no more; for he is a
good knight, and I doubt not he shall prove a noble knight, and
for his sake and pity that he should not be destroyed I followed
him to succour him in this great need. Ah, Jesu thank you, said
the damosel, for now I will say unto you and to him both, I
rebuked him never for no hate that I hated him, but for great
<363>love that I had to him. For ever I supposed that he had
been too young and too tender to take upon him these adventures.
And therefore by my will I would have driven him away for
jealousy that I had of his life, for it may be no young knight's
deed that shall enchieve this adventure to the end. Pardieu,
said Sir Launcelot, it is well said, and where ye are called the
Damosel Maledisant I will call you the Damosel Bienpensant.

And so they rode forth a great while unto they came to the border
of the country of Surluse, and there they found a fair village
with a strong bridge like a fortress. And when Sir Launcelot and
they were at the bridge there stert forth afore them of gentlemen
and yeomen many, that said: Fair lords, ye may not pass this
bridge and this fortress because of that black shield that I see
one of you bear, and therefore there shall not pass but one of
you at once; therefore choose you which of you shall enter within
this bridge first. Then Sir Launcelot proffered himself first to
enter within this bridge. Sir, said La Cote Male Taile, I
beseech you let me enter within this fortress, and if I may speed
well I will send for you, and if it happened that I be slain,
there it goeth. And if so be that I am a prisoner taken, then
may ye rescue me. I am loath, said Sir Launcelot, to let you
pass this passage. Sir, said La Cote Male Taile, I pray you let
me put my body in this adventure. Now go your way, said Sir
Launcelot, and Jesu be your speed.

So he entered, and anon there met with him two brethren, the one
hight Sir Plaine de Force, and the other hight Sir Plaine de
Amours. And anon they met with Sir La Cote Male Taile; and first
La Cote Male Taile smote down Plaine de Force, and after he smote
down Plaine de Amours; and then they dressed them to their
shields and swords, and bade La Cote Male Taile alight, and so he
did; and there was dashing and foining with swords, and so they
began to assail full hard La Cote Male Taile, and many great
wounds they gave him upon his head, and upon his breast, and upon
his shoulders. And as he might ever among he gave sad strokes
again. <364>And then the two brethren traced and traversed for
to be of both hands of Sir La Cote Male Taile, but he by fine
force and knightly prowess gat them afore him. And then when he
felt himself so wounded, then he doubled his strokes, and gave
them so many wounds that he felled them to the earth, and would
have slain them had they not yielded them. And right so Sir La
Cote Male Taile took the best horse that there was of them three,
and so rode forth his way to the other fortress and bridge; and
there he met with the third brother whose name was Sir Plenorius,
a full noble knight, and there they jousted together, and either
smote other down, horse and man, to the earth. And then they
avoided their horses, and dressed their shields, and drew their
swords, and gave many sad strokes, and one while the one knight
was afore on the bridge, and another while the other. And thus
they fought two hours and more, and never rested. And ever Sir
Launcelot and the damosel beheld them. Alas, said the damosel,
my knight fighteth passing sore and over long. Now may ye see,
said Sir Launcelot, that he is a noble knight, for to consider
his first battle, and his grievous wounds; and even forthwithal
so wounded as he is, it is marvel that he may endure this long
battle with that good knight.



CHAPTER VIII

How La Cote Male Taile was taken prisoner, and after
rescued by Sir Launcelot, and how Sir Launcelot overcame
four brethren.

THIS meanwhile Sir La Cote Male Taile sank right down upon the
earth, what for-wounded and what for-bled he might not stand.
Then the other knight had pity of him, and said: Fair young
knight, dismay you not, for had ye been fresh when ye met with
me, as I was, I wot well that I should not have endured so long
as ye have done; and <365>therefore for your noble deeds of arms
I shall show to you kindness and gentleness in all that I may.
And forthwithal this noble knight, Sir Plenorius, took him up in
his arms, and led him into his tower. And then he commanded him
the wine, and made to search him and to stop his bleeding wounds.
Sir, said La Cote Male Taile, withdraw you from me, and hie you
to yonder bridge again, for there will meet with you another
manner knight than ever was I. Why, said Plenorius, is there
another manner knight behind of your fellowship? Yea, said La
Cote Male Taile, there is a much better knight than I am. What
is his name? said Plenorius. Ye shall not know for me, said La
Cote Male Taile. Well, said the knight, he shall be encountered
withal whatsomever he be.

Then Sir Plenorius heard a knight call that said: Sir Plenorius,
where art thou? either thou must deliver me the prisoner that
thou hast led unto thy tower, or else come and do battle with me.
Then Plenorius gat his horse, and came with a spear in his hand
walloping toward Sir Launcelot; and then they began to feutre
their spears, and came together as thunder, and smote either
other so mightily that their horses fell down under them. And
then they avoided their horses, and pulled out their swords, and
like two bulls they lashed together with great strokes and foins;
but ever Sir Launcelot recovered ground upon him, and Sir
Plenorius traced to have gone about him. But Sir Launcelot would
not suffer that, but bare him backer and backer, till he came
nigh his tower gate. And then said Sir Launcelot: I know thee
well for a good knight, but wit thou well thy life and death is
in my hand, and therefore yield thee to me, and thy prisoner.
The other answered no word, but struck mightily upon Sir
Launcelot's helm, that the fire sprang out of his eyes. Then Sir
Launcelot doubled his strokes so thick, and smote at him so
mightily, that he made him kneel upon his knees. And therewith
Sir Launcelot leapt upon him, and pulled him grovelling down.
Then Sir Plenorius yielded him, and his tower, and all his
prisoners at his will.

Then Sir Launcelot received him and took his troth; <366>and then
he rode to the other bridge, and there Sir Launcelot jousted with
other three of his brethren, the one hight Pillounes, and the
other hight Pellogris, and the third Sir Pellandris. And first
upon horseback Sir Launcelot smote them down, and afterward he
beat them on foot, and made them to yield them unto him; and then
he returned unto Sir Plenorius, and there he found in his prison
King Carados of Scotland, and many other knights, and all they
were delivered. And then Sir La Cote Male Taile came to Sir
Launcelot, and then Sir Launcelot would have given him all these
fortresses and these bridges. Nay, said La Cote Male Taile, I
will not have Sir Plenorius' livelihood; with that he will grant
you, my lord Sir Launcelot, to come unto King Arthur's court, and
to be his knight, and all his brethren, I will pray you, my lord,
to let him have his livelihood. I will well, said Sir Launcelot,
with this that he will come to the court of King Arthur and
become his man, and his brethren five. And as for you, Sir
Plenorius, I will undertake, said Sir Launcelot, at the next
feast, so there be a place voided, that ye shall be Knight of the
Round Table. Sir, said Plenorius, at the next feast of Pentecost
I will be at Arthur's court, and at that time I will be guided
and ruled as King Arthur and ye will have me. Then Sir Launcelot
and Sir La Cote Male Taile reposed them there, unto the time that
Sir La Cote Male Taile was whole of his wounds, and there they
had merry cheer, and good rest, and many good games, and there
were many fair ladies.

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