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The High History of the Holy Graal

U >> Unkown >> The High History of the Holy Graal





IX.

When he seeth Perceval alighted, he runneth to bar the door, and
Perceval cometh over against him. For all greeting, the knight
saluteth him thus: "Now shall you have," saith he, "such guerdon
as you have deserved. Never again shall you depart hence, for my
mortal enemy are you, and right hardy are you thus to throw
yourself upon me, for you slew my brother the Lord of the
Shadows, and Chaos the Red am I that war upon your mother, and
this castle have I reft of her. In like manner will I wring the
life out of you or ever you depart hence!"

"Already," saith Perceval, "have I thrown myself on this your
hostel to lodge with you, wherefore to blame would you be to do
me evil. But lodge me this night as behoveth one knight do for
another, and on the morrow at departing let each do the best he
may."

"By my head!" saith Chaos the Red, "mortal enemy of mine will I
never harbour here save I harbour him dead."

He runneth to the hall above, and armeth himself as swiftly as he
may, and taketh his sword all naked in his hand and cometh back
to the place where Perceval was, right full of anguish of heart
for this that he said, that he would war upon his mother and had
reft her of this castle. He flung his spear to the ground, and
goeth toward him on foot and dealeth him a huge buffet above the
helmet upon the coif of his habergeon, such that he cleaveth the
mail and cutteth off two fingers'-breadth of the flesh in such
sort that he made him reel three times round.


X.

When Chaos the Red felt himself wounded, he was sore grieved
thereof, and cometh toward Perceval and striketh him a great
buffet above in the midst of his helmet, so that he made the
sparks fly and his neck stoop and his eyes sparkle of stars. And
the blow slippeth down on to the shield, so that it is cleft
right down to the boss. Perceval felt his neck stiff and heavy,
and feeleth that the knight is sturdy and of great might. He
cometh back towards him, and thinketh to strike him above in the
midst of his head, but Chaos swerved aside from him; howbeit
Perceval reached him and caught his right arm and cutteth it
sheer from his side, sword and all, and sendeth it flying to the
ground, and Chaos runneth upon him, thinking to grapple him with
his left arm, but his force was waning; nathless right gladly
would he have avenged himself and he might. Howbeit, Perceval
setteth on him again that loved him not in his heart, and smiteth
him again above on the head, and dealeth him such a buffet as
maketh his brains be all to-scattered abroad. His household and
servants were at the windows of the hall. When they see that
their lord is nigh to the death, they cry to Perceval: "Sir, you
have slain the hardiest knight in the kingdom of Logres, and him
that was most redoubted of his enemies; but we can do no
otherwise; we know well that this castle is your mother's and
ought to be yours. We challenge it not; wherefore may you do
your will of whatsoever there is in the castle; but allow us to
go to our lord that there lieth dead, and take away the body and
set it in some seemly place for the sake of his good knighthood,
and for that it behoveth us so to do."

"Readily do I grant it you," saith Perceval.

They bear the body to a chapel, then they disarm him and wind him
in his shroud. After that they lead Perceval into the hall and
disarm him and say to him: "Sir, you may be well assured that
there be none but us twain herewithin and two damsels, and the
doors are barred, and behold, here are the keys which we deliver
up to you."

"And I command you," saith Perceval, "that you go straightway to
my mother, and tell her that she shall see me betimes and I may
get done, and so salute her and tell her I am sound and whole.
And what is the name of this castle?"

"Sir, it hath for name the Key of Wales, for it is the gateway
of the land."


XI.

Perceval lay the night in the castle he had reconquered for his
mother, and the morrow, when he was armed, he departed. These
promised that they would keep the castle loyally and would
deliver it up to his mother at her will. He rode until he came
to the tents where the damsels were, and drew rein and listened.
But there was not so great joy as when the damsel that rode like
a knight and led the Car came thither with Clamados. Great dole
heard he that was made, and beating of palms. Wherefore he
bethought him what folk they might be. Natheless he was not
minded to draw back without entering. He alighted in the midst
of the tents and set down his shield and his spear, and seeth the
damsels wringing their hands and tearing their hair, and much
marvelleth he wherefore it may be. A damsel cometh forward that
had set forth from the castle where he had slain the knight:
"Sir, to your shame and ill adventure may you have come hither!"

Perceval looketh at her and marvelleth much of that she saith,
and she crieth out: "Lady, behold here him that hath slain the
best knight of your lineage! And you, Clamados, that are within
there, he hath slain your father and your uncle! Now shall it be
seen what you will do!"

The Damsel of the Car cometh thitherward and knoweth Perceval by
the shield that he bare of sinople with a white hart.

"Sir," saith she, "welcome may you be! Let who will make dole, I
will make joy of your coming!"


XII.

Therewith the Damsel leadeth him into a tent and maketh him sit
on a right rich couch; afterward she maketh him be disarmed of
her two damsels and clad in a right rich robe. Then she leadeth
him to the Queen of the Tents that was still making great dole.

"Lady," saith the Damsel of the Car, "Stint your sorrow, for
behold, here is the Good Knight on whose account were the tents
here pitched, and on whose account no less have you been making
this great joy right up to this very day!"

"Ha," saith she, "Is this then the son of the Widow Lady?"

"Yea, certes," saith the Damsel.

"Ha," saith the Lady, "He hath slain me the best knight of all my
kin, and the one that protected me from mine enemies."

"Lady," saith the Damsel, "this one will be better able to
protect and defend us, for the Best Knight is he of the world and
the comeliest."

The Queen taketh him by the hand and maketh him sit beside her.
"Sir," saith she, "Howsoever the adventure may have befallen, my
heart biddeth me make joy of your coming."

"Lady," saith he, "Gramercy! Chaos would fain have slain me
within his castle, and I defended myself to my power."

The Queen looketh at him amidst his face, and is taken with a
love of him so passing strong and fervent that she goeth nigh to
fall upon him. "Sir," saith she, "and you will grant me your
love, I will pardon you of all the death of Chaos the Red."

"Lady," saith he, "your love am I right fain to deserve, and mine
you have."

"Sir," saith she, "How may I perceive that you love me?"

"Lady," saith he, "I will tell you. There is no knight in the
world that shall desire to do you a wrong, but I will help you
against him to my power."

"Such love," saith she, "is the common love that knight ought to
bear to lady. Would you do as much for another?"

"Lady," saith he, "It well may be, but more readily shall a man
give help in one place than in another."

The Queen would fain that Perceval should pledge himself to her
further than he did, and the more she looketh at him the better
he pleaseth her, and the more is she taken with him and the more
desirous of his love. But Perceval never once thought of loving
her or another in such wise. He was glad to look upon her, for
that she was of passing great beauty, but never spake he nought
to her whereby she might perceive that he loved her of inward
love. But in no wise might she refrain her heart, nor withdraw
her eyes, nor lose her desire. The damsels looked upon her with
wonder that so soon had she forgotten her mourning.


XIII.

Thereupon, behold you Clamados, that had been told that this was
the knight that, as yet only squire, had slain his father and put
Chaos his uncle to death. He cometh into the tent and seeth him
sitting beside the Queen, that looked at him right sweetly.

"Lady," saith he, "Great shame do you to yourself, in that you
have seated at your side your own mortal enemy and mine. Never
again henceforth ought any to have affiance in your love nor in
your help."

"Clamados," saith the Queen, "the knight hath thrown himself upon
me suddenly. Wherefore ought I do him no evil, rather behoveth
me lodge him and keep his body in safety. Nought, moreover, hath
he done whereof he might be adjudged of murder nor of treason."

"Lady," saith Clamados, "He slew my father in the Lonely Forest
without defiance, and treacherously cast a javelin at him and
smote him through the body, wherefore shall I never be at ease
until I have avenged him. Therefore do I appeal and pray you to
do me my right, not as being of your kindred, but as stranger.
For right willing am I that kinship shall avail me nought
herein."

Perceval looketh at the knight and seeth that he is of right
goodly complexion of body and right comely of face. "Fair Sir,"
saith he, "as of treason I would that you hold me quit, for never
toward your father nor toward other have had I never a mind to do
treason, and God defend me from such shame, and grant me strength
to clear myself of any blame thereof."

Clamados cometh forward to proffer his gage.

"By my head," saith the Queen, "not this day shall gage be
received herein. But to-morrow will come day, and counsel
therewith, and then shall fight be done to each."

Clamados is moved of right great wrath, but the Queen of the
Tents showeth Perceval the most honour she may, whereof is
Clamados right heavy, and saith that never ought any to put his
trust in woman. But wrongly he blameth her therein, for she did
it of the passing great love she hath for Perceval, inasmuch as
well she knoweth that he is the Best Knight of the world and the
comeliest. But it only irketh her the more that she may not find
in him any sign of special liking toward herself neither in deed
nor word, whereof is she beyond measure sorrowful. The knights
and damsels lay the night in the tents until the morrow, and went
to hear mass in a chapel that was in the midst of the tents.


XIV.

When mass was sung, straightway behold you, a knight that cometh
all armed, bearing a white shield at his neck. He alighteth in
the midst of the tents and cometh before the Queen all armed, and
saith: "Lady, I plain me of a knight that is there within that
hath slain my lion, and if you do me not right herein, I will
harass you as much or more than I will him, and will harm you in
every wise I may. Wherefore I pray and require you, for the love
of Messire Gawain, whose man I am, that you do me right herein."

"What is the knight's name?" saith the Queen.

"Lady," saith he, "He is called Clamados of the Shadows, and
methinketh I see him yonder, for I knew him when he was squire."

"And what is your name?" saith the Queen.

"Lady, I am called Melior of Logres."

"Clamados," saith the Queen, "Hear you what this knight saith?"

"Yea, Lady," saith he; "But again I require that you do me right
of the knight that slew my father and my uncle."

"Lady," saith Melior, "I would fain go. I know not toward whom
the knight proffereth his gage, but him do I appeal of felony for
my lion that he hath slain." He taketh in his hand the skirt of
his habergeon: "Lady, behold here the gage I offer you."


XV.

"Clamados," saith the Queen, "Hear you then not that which this
knight saith?"

"Lady," saith he, "I hear him well. Truth it is that I slew his
lion, but not until after he had fallen upon me, and made the
wounds whereof I have been healed herewithin. But well you know
that the knight who came hither last night hath done me greater
wrong than have I done this other. Wherefore would I pray you
that I may take vengeance of him first."

"You hear," saith she, "how this knight that hath come hither all
armed is fain to go back forthwith. Quit you, therefore, of him
first, and then will we take thought of the other."

"Lady, gramercy!" saith Meliot, "and Messire Gawain will take it
in right good part, for this knight hath slain my lion that
defended me from all my enemies. Nor is it true that the
entrance to your tent was deserted on account of my lion; and in
despite of me hath he hung the head at my gate."

"As of the lion," saith the Queen, "you have no quarrel against
him and he slew him in defending his body, but as of the despite
he did you as you say, when in nought had you done him any wrong,
it shall not be that right shalt be denied you in my court, and
if you desire to deliver battle, no blame shall you have
thereof."


XVI.

Clamados maketh arm him and mounteth on his horse, and he seemeth
right hardy of his arms and valorous. He cometh right in the
midst of the tent, where the ground was fair and level, and found
Meilot of Logres all armed upon his horse, and a right comely
knight was he and a deliver. And the ladies and damsels were
round about the tilting-ground.

"Sir," saith the Queen to Perceval, "I will that you keep the
field for these knights."

"Lady," saith he, "At your pleasure."

Meliot moveth toward Clamados right swiftly and Clamados toward
him, and they melled together on their shields in such sort that
they pierced them and cleft the mail of their habergeons asunder
with the points of their spears, and the twain are both wounded
so that the blood rayeth forth of their bodies. The knights draw
asunder to take their career, for their spears were broken short,
and they come back the one toward the other with a great rush,
and smite each other on the breast with their spears so stiffly
that there is none but should have been pierced within the flesh,
for the habergeons might protect them not. They hurtle against
each other so strongly that knights and horses fall together to
the ground all in a heap. The Queen and the damsels have great
pity of the two knights, for they see that they are both so
passing sore wounded. The two knights rise to their feet and
hold their swords naked and run the one on the other right
wrathfully, with such force as they had left.

"Sir," saith the Queen to Perceval, "Go part these two knights
asunder that one slay not the other, for they are sore wounded."

Perceval goeth to part them and cometh to Meliot of Logres.
"Sir," saith he, "Withdraw yourself back; you have done enough."

Clamados felt that he was sore wounded in two places, and that
the wound he had in his breast was right great. He draweth
himself back. The Queen is come thither. "Fair nephew," saith
she, "Are you badly wounded?"

"Yea, Lady," saith Clamados.

"Certes," saith the Queen, "this grieveth me, but never yet saw I
knight and he were desirous of fighting, but came at some time by
mischance. A man may not always stand on all his rights."

She made him be carried on his shield into a tent, and made
search his wounds, and saw that of one had he no need to fear,
but that the other was right sore perilous.


XVII.

"Lady," saith Clamados, "Once more do I pray and require you that
you allow not the knight that slew my father to issue forth from
hence, save he deliver good hostage that he will come back when I
shall be healed."

"So will I do, sith that it is your pleasure."

The Queen cometh to the other knight that was wounded, for that
he declareth himself Messire Gawain's man, and maketh search his
wounds, and they say that he hath not been hurt so sore as is
Clamados. She commandeth them to tend him and wait upon him
right well-willingly, "Sir," saith she to Perceval, "Behoveth you
abide here until such time as my nephew be heal, for you know
well that whereof he plaineth against you, nor would I that you
should depart hence without clearing you of the blame."

"Lady, no wish have I to depart without your leave, but rather
shall I be ready to clear myself of blame whensoever and
wheresoever time and place may be. But herewithin may I make not
so long sojourn. Natheless to this will I pledge my word, that I
will return thither within a term of fifteen days from the time
he shall be whole."

"Sir," saith the Damsel of the Car, "I will remain here in
hostage for you."

"But do you pray him," saith the Queen, "that he remain
herewithin with us."


XVIII.

"Lady," saith Perceval, "I may not, for I left Lancelot wounded
right sore in my uncle's hermitage."

"Sir," saith the Queen, "I would fain that remaining here might
have pleased you as well as it would me."

"Lady," saith he, "none ought it to displease to be with you, but
every man behoveth keep his word as well as he may, and none
ought to lie to so good a knight as he."

"You promise me, then," saith the Queen, "that you will return
hither the soonest you may, or at the least, within the term
appointed after you shall have learnt that Clamados is healed, to
defend you of the treason that he layeth upon you?"

"Lady," saith he, "and if he die shall I be quit?"

"Yea, truly, Sir, and so be that you have no will to come for
love of me. For right well should I love your coming."

"Lady," saith he, "never shall be the day my services shall fail
you, so I be in place, and you in need thereof."

He taketh leave and departeth, armed. The Damsel of the Car
commendeth him to God, and Perceval departeth full speed and
rideth so far on his journeys that he cometh to his uncle's
hermitage and entereth in, thinking to find Lancelot. But his
uncle telleth him that he hath departed all sound and all heal of
his wound, as of all other malady, as him thinketh.



BRANCH X.

INCIPIT.

Another branch of the Graal again beginneth in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.


TITLE I.

And the story is here silent of Perceval, and saith that Lancelot
goeth his way and rideth by a forest until he findeth a castle
amidst his way at the head of a launde, and seeth at the gateway
of the castle an old knight and two damsels sitting on a bridge.
Thitherward goeth he, and the knight and damsels rise up to meet
him, and Lancelot alighteth.

"Sir," saith the Vavasour, "Welcome may you be."

The damsels make great joy of him and lead him into the castle.
"Sir," saith the Vavasour, "Sore need had we of your coming."

He maketh him go up into the hall above and be disarmed of his
arms. "Sir," saith the Vavasour, "Now may you see great pity of
these two damsels that are my daughters. A certain man would
reave them of this castle for that no aid nor succour have they
save of me alone. And little enough can I do, for I am old and
feeble, and my kin also are of no avail, insomuch that hitherto
have I been able to find no knight that durst defend me from the
knight that is fain to reave this castle from me. And you seem
to be of so great valiance that you will defend me well herein
to-morrow, for the truce cometh to an end to-night."

"How?" saith Lancelot, "I have but scarce come in hither to
lodge, and you desire me so soon already to engage myself in
battle?"

"Sir," saith the Vavasour, "Herein may it well be proven whether
there be within you as much valour as there seemeth from without
to be. For, and you make good the claim of these two damsels
that are my daughters to the fiefs that are of right their own,
you will win thereby the love of God as well as praise of the
world."

They fall at his feet weeping, and pray him of mercy that they
may not be disherited. And he raiseth them forthwith, as one
that hath great pity thereof.

"Damsels," saith he, "I will aid you to my power. But I would
fain that the term be not long."

"Sir," say they, "to-morrow is the day, and to-morrow, so we have
no knight to meet him that challengeth this castle, we shall have
lost it. And our father is an old knight, and hath no longer
lustihood nor force whereby he might defend it for us, and all of
our lineage are fallen and decayed. This hatred hath fallen on
us on account of Messire Gawain, whom we harboured."

Lancelot lay there the night within the castle and was right well
lodged and worshipfully entreated. And on the morrow he armed
himself when he had heard mass, and leant at the windows of the
hall and seeth the gate shut and barred, and heareth a horn sound
without the gate three times right loud.

"Sir," saith the Vavasour, "the knight is come, and thinketh that
within here is no defence."

"By my head," saith Lancelot, "but there is, please God!"

The knight bloweth another blast of his horn.

"Hearken, Sir," saith the Vavasour, "It is nigh noon, and he
thinketh him that none will issue hence to meet him."


II.

Lancelot cometh down below and findeth his horse saddled and is
mounted as soon. The damsels are at his stirrup, and pray him
for God's sake remember to defend the honour that is theirs of
the castle, for, save only he so doth, they must flee like
beggars into other lands. Thereupon the Knight soundeth his horn
again. Lancelot, when he heareth the blast, hath no mind to
abide longer, and forthwith issueth out of the castle all armed,
lance in hand and shield at his neck. He seeth the knight at the
head of the bridge, all armed under a tree. Thitherward cometh
Lancelot full speed. The knight seeth him coming, and crieth to
him.

"Sir Knight," saith he, "What demand you? Come you hither to do
me evil?"

"Yea," saith Lancelot, "for that evil are you fain to do to this
castle; wherefore on behalf of the Vavasour and his daughters do
I defy you."

He moveth against the knight and smiteth him on the shield with
his spear and the knight him. But Lancelot pierceth his shield
for him with his sword, and smiteth him so stiffly that he
pinneth his arm to his side, and hurtleth against him so passing
stoutly that he thrusteth him to the ground, him and his horse,
and runneth over him, sword drawn.

"Ha," saith the knight to Lancelot, "withdraw a little from over
me, and slay me not, and tell me your name, of your mercy."

"What have you to do with my name?" saith Lancelot.

"Sir," saith he, "Gladly would I know it, for a right good knight
seem you to be, and so have I well proven in the first
encounter."

"Sir" saith he, "I am called Lancelot of the Lake. And what is
your name?"

"Sir." saith he, "I am called Marin of the castle of Gomeret. So
am I -- father of Meliot of Logres. I pray you, by that you most
love in the world, that you slay me not."

"So will I do," saith Lancelot, "and you renounce not your feud
against this castle."

"By my faith," saith the knight, "thus do I renounce it, and I
pledge myself that thenceforth for ever shall it have no
disturbance of me."

"Your pledge," saith Lancelot, "will I not accept save you come
in thither."

"Sir," saith the knight, "You have sore wounded me in such sort
that I cannot mount but with right great pain."

Lancelot helpeth him until he was mounted again on his horse, and
leadeth him into the castle with him, and maketh him present his
sword to the Vavasour and his daughters, and yield up his shield
and his arms, and afterward swear upon hallows that never again
will he make war upon them. Lancelot thereupon receiveth his
pledge to forego all claim to the castle and Marin turneth him
back to Gomeret. The Vavasour and his daughters abide in great
joy.


III.

The story saith that Lancelot went his way by strange lands and
by forests to seek adventure, and rode until he found a plain
land lying without a city that seemed to be of right great
lordship. As he was riding by the plain land, he looketh toward
the forest and seeth the plain fair and wide and the land right
level. He rideth all the plain, and looketh toward the city and
seeth great plenty of folk issuing forth thereof. And with them
was there much noise of bag-pipes and flutes and viols and many
instruments of music, and they came along the way wherein was
Lancelot riding. When the foremost came up to him, they halted
and redoubled their joy.

"Sir," say they, "Welcome may you be!"

"Lords," saith Lancelot, "Whom come ye to meet with such joy?"

"Sir," say they, "they that come behind there will tell you
clearly that whereof we are in need."


IV.

Thereupon behold you the provosts and the lords of the city, and
they come over against Lancelot.

"Sir," say they, "All this joy is made along of you, and all
these instruments of music are moved to joy and sound of gladness
for your coming."

"But wherefore for me," saith Lancelot.

"That shall you know well betimes," say they. "This city began
to burn and to melt in one of the houses from the very same hour
that our king was dead, nor might the fire be quenched, nor never
will be quenched until such time as we have a king that shall be
lord of the city and of the honour thereunto belonging, and on
New Year's Day behoveth him to be crowned in the midst of the
fire, and then shall the fire be quenched, for otherwise may it
never be put out nor extinguished. Wherefore have we come to
meet you to give you the royalty, for we have been told that you
are a good knight."

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