Dante Alighieri - "Divina Commedia di Dante"

N. Destouches, translated by Frank J. Morlock - "The Triple Marriage"

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The High History of the Holy Graal

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




"Fair sweet friend," saith Messire Gawain, "Whither go you?"

"Sir, I go to seek the lord of this forest."

"Whose is the forest?" saith Messire Gawain. "Sir, it belongeth
to the best knight in the world."

"Can you tell me tidings of him?"

"He ought to bear a shield banded azure and argent with a red
cross thereon and a boss of gold. I say that he is good knight,
but little call have I to praise him, for he slew my father in
this forest with a javelin. The Good Knight was squire what time
he slew him, and fain would I avenge my father upon him and I may
find him, for he reft me of the best knight that was in the realm
of Logres when he slew my father. Well did he bereave me of him
what time he slew him with his javelin without defiance, nor
shall I never be at ease nor at rest until I shall have avenged
him."

"Fair sweet friend," saith Messire Gawain, "Sith that he is
knight so good take heed you increase not your wrong of your own
act, and I would fain that you had found him, so as that no evil
had befallen him thereof."


V.

"So would not I," saith the squire, "for never shall I see him in
this place but I shall run upon him as my mortal enemy!"

"Fair sweet friend," saith Messire Gawain, "you may say your
pleasure, but tell me is there no hold in this forest wherein I ú
may harbour me the night?"

"Sir," saith the squire, "No hold know I within twenty league of
your way in any quarter. Wherefore no leisure have you to tarry,
for it is high noon already."

So Messire Gawain saluteth the squire and goeth a great pace as
he that knoweth neither highway nor byway save only as adventure
may lead him. And the forest pleaseth him well for that it is so
fair and that he seeth the deer pass by before him in great
herds. He rode on until it drew toward evensong at a corner of
the forest. The evening was fair and calm and the sun was about
to set. And a score league Welsh had he ridden sithence that he
parted from the squire, and sore he misdoubted him that he should
find no hold. He found the fairest meadow-land in the world, and
looked before him when he had ridden a couple of bow-shot lengths
and saw a castle appear nigh the forest on a mountain. And it
was enclosed of high walls with battlements, and within were fair
halls whereof the windows showed in the outer walls, and in the
midst was an ancient tower that was compassed round of great
waters and broad meadow-lands. Thitherward Messire Gawain
draweth him and looketh toward the gateway of the castle and
seeth a squire issue forth a great pace upon a hackney, and he
came the way that Messire Gawain was coming. And when the squire
seeth him, and hath drawn somewhat anigh, he saluteth him right
nobly.


VI.

"Sir, right welcome may you be!"

"Good adventure may you have!" saith Messire Gawain. "Fair sweet
friend, what is this castle here, sir?"

"Sir, it is the castle of the Widow Lady."

"What is the name thereof;"

"Camelot; and it belonged to Alain li Gros, that was a right
loyal knight and worshipful man. He is dead this long time, and
my Lady hath remained without succour and without counsel.
Wherefore is the castle warred upon of them that would fain reave
her thereof by force. The Lord of the Moors and another knight
are they that war upon her and would fain reave her of this
castle as they have reft her of seven other already. Greatly
desireth she the return of her son, for no counsel hath she save
only of her one daughter and of five old knights that help her to
guard the castle. Sir," saith he, "The door is made fast and the
bridge drawn up, for they guard the castle closely, but, so
please you, you will tell me your name and I will go before and
make the bridge be lowered and the gate unfastened, and will say
that you will lodge within to-night."

"Gramercy," saith Messire Gawain, "right well shall my name be
known or ever I depart from the castle."

The squire goeth his way a great pace, and Messire Gawain tided
softly at a walk for he had yet a long way to go. And he found a
chapel that stood between the forest and the castle, and it was
builded upon four columns of marble and within was a right fair
sepulchre. The chapel had no fence of any kind about it so that
he seeth the coffin within full clearly, and Messire Gawain
bideth awhile to look thereon. And the squire entered into the
castle and hath made the bridge be lowered and the door opened.
He alighteth and is come into the hall when was the Widow Lady
and her daughter. Saith the Lady to the squire: "Wherefore have
you returned from doing my message? Lady, for the comeliest
knight that I have seen ever, and fain would he harbour within
to-night, and he is garnished of all arms and rideth without
company."

"And what name hath he?" saith the Lady.

"Lady, he told me you should know it well or ever he depart
from this castle."

Therewithal the Lady gan weep for joy and her daughter also, and,
lifting her hands towards heaven, "Fair Lord God!" saith the
Widow Lady, "And this be indeed my son, never before have I had
joy that might be likened to this! Now shall I not be disherited
of mine honour, neither shall I lose my castle whereof they would
fain reave me by wrong, for that no Lord nor champion have I!"


VII.

Thereupon the Widow Lady ariseth up and her daughter likewise,
and they go over the bridge of the castle and see Messire Gawain
that was yet looking on the coffin within the chapel.

"Now haste!" saith the Lady; "At the tomb shall we be well able
to see whether it be he!"

They go to the chapel right speedily, and Messire Gawain seeth
them coming and alighteth. "Lady," saith he, "Welcome may you be,
you and your company."

The Lady answereth never a word until that they are come to the
tomb. When she findeth it not open she falleth down in a swoon.
And Messire Gawain is sore afraid when he seeth it. The Lady
cometh back out of her swoon and breaketh out into great
lamentation.

"Sir," saith the damsel to Messire Gawain, "Welcome may you be!
But now sithence my mother supposed that you had been her son and
made great joy thereof, and now seeth she plainly that you are
not he, whereof is she sore sorrowful, for so soon as he shall
return, this coffin behoveth open, nor until that hour shall none
know who it is that lieth therein."

The Lady riseth up and taketh Messire Gawain by the hand. "Sir,"
saith she, "What is your name?"

"Lady," saith he, "I am called Gawain, King Arthur's nephew."

"Sir," saith she, "You shall be he that is welcome both for the
sake of my son and for your own sake."

The Lady biddeth a squire lead his horse into the castle and
carry his shield and spear. Then they enter into the castle and
lead Messire Gawain into the hall, and make disarm him. After
that, they fetch him water to wash his hands and his face, for he
was distained of the rust of his habergeon. The Lady maketh
apparel him in a rich robe of silk and gold, and furred of
ermine. The Widow Lady cometh forth of her chamber and maketh
Messire Gawain sit beside her. "Sir," saith she, "Can you tell
me any tidings of my son that I have not seen of this long time
past, and of whom at this present am I sore in need?"


VIII.

"Lady," saith he, "No tidings of him know I to tell you, and
right heavy am I thereof, for he is the knight of the world that
fainest I would see and he be your son as I am told. What name
hath he?"

"Sir," saith she, "His name in right baptism is Perceval, and a
right comely squire was he when he departed hence. Now as at
this time is it said that he is the comeliest knight on live and
the most hardy and the cleanest of all wickedness. And sore need
have I of his hardiment, for what time that he departed hence he
left me in the midst of a great warfare on behalf of the Knight
of the Red Shield that he slew. Within the se'nnight thereafter
he went away, nor never once have I seen him sithence, albeit a
full seven year hath passed already. And now the brother of the
knight that he slew and the Lord of the Moors are warring upon me
and are fain to reave me of my castle and God counsel me not.
For my brothers are too far away from me, and King Pelles of the
Lower Folk hath renounced his land for God's sake and entered
into a hermitage. But the King of Castle Mortal hath in him as
much of wickedness and felony as these twain have in them of
good, and enough thereof have they. But neither succour nor help
may they give me, for the King of Castle Mortal challengeth my
Lord King Fisherman both of the most Holy Graal and of the Lance
whereof the point bleedeth every day, albeit God forbid he should
ever have them."


IX.

"Lady," saith Messire Gawain, "There was at the hostel of King
Fisherman a knight before whom the Holy Graal appeared three
times, yet never once would he ask whereof it served nor whom it
honoured."

"Sir," saith the Widow Lady's daughter, "You say true, and the
Best Knight is he of the world. This say I for love of my
brother, and I love all knights for the love of him, but by the
foolish wit of the knight hath mine uncle King Fisherman fallen
into languishment."

"Sir," saith the Lady, "Behoveth all good knights go see the rich
King Fisherman. Will you not therefore go?"

"Lady," saith Messire Gawain, "Yea, that will I, so speedily as I
may, for not elsewhither have I emprised my way."

"Sir," saith she, "Then are you going to see my son, wherefore
tell my son, and you see him, of mine evil plight and my misease,
and King Fisherman my brother. But take heed, Messire Gawain,
that you be better mindful than was the knight."

"Lady," saith Messire Gawain, "I shall do as God shall teach me."

In the meanwhile as they were speaking thus together, behold you
therewithal the Widow Lady's five knights that were come in from
the forest and make bring harts and hinds and wild swine. So
they alighted and made great joy of Messire Gawain when they knew
who he was.


X.

When the meat was ready they sate to eat, and full plenteously
were they provided and right well were they served. Thereupon,
behold, cometh the squire that had opened the door for Messire
Gawain, and kneeleth before the Widow Lady.

"And what tidings?" saith she.

"Lady, there is to be a right great assembly of tourney in the
valleys that aforetime were ours. Already have they spread the
Welsh booths, and thither are come these two that are warring
upon you and great store other knights. And they have ordained
that he which shall do best at the assembly shall undertake the
garrison of this castle in such sort as that he shall hold it for
his own alone against all other."

The Widow Lady beginneth to weep: "Sir," saith she to Messire
Gawain, "Now may you understand that the castle is not mine own,
sith that these knights say it is theirs as you hear."

"Certes, Lady," saith he, "Herein do they great dishonour and a
sin."


XI.

When the table was removed the damsel fell at Messire Gawain's
feet, weeping. He raiseth her forthwith and saith to her,
"Damsel, herein do you ill."

"For God's sake, Sir, take pity on my Lady mother and me!"

"Certes, damsel, great pity have I of you."

"Sir, now shall it be seen in this strait whether you be good
knight, for good is the knighthood that doeth well for God's
sake."

The Widow Lady and her daughter go into the chamber, and Messire
Gawain's bed was made in the midst of the hall. So he went and
lay down as did also the five knights. All the night was Messire
Gawain in much thought. The morrow, when he was risen, he went
to hear mass in a chapel that was within and ate thereafter three
sops in wine and then armed him, and at the same time asked the
five knights that were there in the hall whether they would go
see the assembly.

"Yea, Sir," say they, "and you be going thither."

"In faith, thither verily will I go!" saith Messire Gawain.

The knights are armed forthwith, and their horses brought and
Messire Gawain's, and he goeth to take leave of the Widow Lady
and her daughter. But great joy make they of this that they have
heard say that he will go with their knights to the assembly.


XII.

Messire Gawain and the five knights mounted and issued forth of
the castle and rode a great gallop before a forest. Messire
Gawain looketh before him about the foreclose of the forest, and
seeth the fairest purlieus that he had seen ever, and so broad
they be that he may not see nor know the fourth part thereof.
They are garnished of tall forests on one hand and on the other,
and there are high rocks in the midst with wild deer among.

"Sir," say the knights, "Lo, these be the Valleys of Camelot
whereof my Lady and her daughter have been bereft, and bereft
also hath she been of the richest castles that be in Wales to the
number of seven."

"A wrong is it and a sin!" saith Messire Gawain.

So far have they ridden that they see the ensigns and the shields
there where the assembly is to be held, and they see already
mounted the more part of the knights all armed and running their
horses down the meadow-land. And they see the tents stretched on
the one hand and on another. And Messire Gawain bideth, and the
five knights under a tree, and see the knights assembling on one
hand and on another. One of the five knights that were with him
gave him witting of the Lord of the Moors and the brother of the
knight of the Red Shield that had to name Chaos the Red. So soon
as the tournament was assembled, Messire Gawain and the knights
come to the assembly, and Messire Gawain goeth to a Welsh knight
and beareth him to the ground, both him and his horse, all in a
heap. And the five come after at a great gallop and each
overthroweth his own, and greatly pride they themselves of
Messire Gawain. Chaos the Red seeth Messire Gawain but knoweth
him not. He goeth toward him a full career, and Messire Gawain
receiveth him on the point of his spear and hurtleth against him
so sore that he all to-brast his collarbone and maketh the spear
fly from his fist. And Messire Gawain searcheth the fellowships
of one part and the other, and findeth not nor encountereth no
knight before him in his way but he putteth him off his horse or
woundeth him, either by himself or by one of the five knights,
that make right great joy of that they see him do. They show him
the Lord of the Moors that was coming with a full great
fellowship of folk. He goeth thitherward a great gallop. They
mell together either upon other of their spears that they bent
and all to-brast in flinders, and hurtle together so stoutly both
of their horses and their bodies that the Lord of the Moors
loseth his stirrups and hath the hinder saddlebow to-frushed, and
falleth down to the ground over his horse croup in such sort that
the peak of his helm dinteth a full palm's breadth into the turf.
And Messire Gawain taketh the horse that was right rich and good,
maugre all of his fellowship, and giveth it to one of the five
knights that maketh it be led to Camelot of a squire. Messire
Gawain searcheth the ranks on the one hand and on the other, and
doeth such feats of arms as never no knight might do the same
again. The five knights also showed great hardiment, and did
more of arms that day than ever had they done tofore, for not one
of them but had overthrown at least a single knight and won his
horse. The Lord of the Moors was mounted again on another rich
horse and had great shame for that Messire Gawain had overthrown
him. He espieth Messire Gawain and goeth toward him a great
gallop and thinketh to avenge his shame. They come together
either on other with a great shock, and Messire Gawain smiteth
him with the truncheon of his spear that he had still left, in
the midst of his breast, so that it was all to-splintered. The
Lord of the Moors likewise again to-brast his spear upon him.
Messire Gawain draweth his sword and flingeth the truncheon to
the ground. The Lord of the Moors doth likewise and commandeth
his folk not to mell betwixt them twain, for never yet had he
found no knight that he had not conquered. They deal them great
buffets on the helms, either upon other, in such sort that the
sparks fly thereout and their swords are blunted. The buffets of
Messire Gawain are heavier than the other's, for he dealeth them
so mighty and horrible that the blood rayeth out from the Lord of
the Moors by the mouth and the nose so that his habergeon is all
bloody thereof and he may no more endure. Thereupon he yieldeth
him prisoner to Messire Gawain, that is right glad thereof and
his five knights likewise. The Lord of the Moors goeth to his
tent to alight, and Messire Gawain with him and alighteth. And
Messire Gawain taketh the horse and saith to one of the knights,
"Keep this for me."

And all the knights are repaired to their tents, and with one
accord say they all that the knight of the Red Shield with the
eagle of gold thereon hath done better than we, and they ask the
Lord of the Moors whether he accordeth with them, and he saith
"Aye."

"Sir," saith he to Messire Gawain, "You, then, are the warden of
this castle of Camelot."

"Gramercy, lord!" saith Messire Gawain. He calleth the five
knights and saith unto them: "Lords, my will is that you be there
on my behalf and that you shall safeguard the same by consent of
the knights that are here present."

"Sir, right gladly do we agree thereto."

"Sir," saith Messire Gawain to the Lord of the Moors, "I give you
moreover as my prisoner to the Widow Lady that harboured me last
night."

"Sir," saith he, "This have you no right to do. Assembly of
tourney is not war. Hence have you no right to imprison my body
in castle, for well am I able to pay my ransom here. But tell
me, what is your name?"

"I am called Gawain."

"Ha, Messire Gawain, many a time have I heard tell of you albeit
never tofore have I seen you. But sith that the castle of
Camelot is in your keeping, I promise you loyally that before a
year and a day neither the castle nor none of the Lady's land
need fear nought from me nor from any other so far forth as I may
hinder him, and hereto do I pledge me in the presence of all
these knights that are here. And, so you would have of me gold
or silver, thereof will I give you at your will."

"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Gramercy! I consent freely to as
much as you have said."

Messire Gawain taketh leave and turneth him again toward the
castle of Camelot, and sendeth by a squire the horse of the Lord
of the Moors to the daughter of the Widow Lady, that made great
joy thereof. And the five knights drive before them the horses
they have taken booty. Whereof great also was the joy. No need
to wonder whether Messire Gawain were well harboured that night
at the castle. He recounted to the Lady how the castle was in
the keeping of these knights. When it came to morning-tide,
Messire Gawain took leave and departed from the castle, but not
before he had heard mass, for such was his custom. The Widow
Lady and her daughter commend him to God, and the castle
remaineth in better keeping than he had found it.



BRANCH IV.


INCIPIT.

Here beginneth another branch of the Graal in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.


TITLE I.

And the story is silent here of the mother of the Good Knight,
and saith that Messire Gawain goeth so as God and adventure lead
him toward the land of the rich King Fisherman. And he entereth
into a great forest, all armed, his shield at his neck and his
spear in his hand. And he prayeth Our Lord that He counsel him
of this holy errand he hath emprised so as that he may honourably
achieve it. He rode until that he came at evensong to a hold
that was in the midst of the forest. And it was compassed about
of a great water, and had about it great clumps of trees so as
that scarce with much pains might he espy the hall, that was
right large. The river that compassed it about was water royal,
for it lost not its right name nor its body as far as the sea.
And Messire Gawain bethought him that it was the hold of a
worshipful man, and draweth him thitherward to lodge. And as he
drew anigh the bridge of the hold, he looketh and seeth a dwarf
sitting on a high bench. He leapeth up: "Messire Gawain," saith
he, "Welcome may you be!"

"Fair, sweet friend," saith Messire Gawain, "God give you good
adventure! You know me, then?" saith he.

"Well do I know you," saith the dwarf, "For I saw you at the
tournament. At a better moment could you not have come hither,
for my lord is not here. But you will find my lady, the fairest
and most gentle and most courteous in the realm of Logres, and as
yet is she not of twenty years."

"Fair friend," saith Messire Gawain, "What name hath the lord of
the hold?"

"Sir, he is called of Little Gomeret. I will go tell my lady
that Messire Gawain is come, the good knight, and bid her make
great joy."

Howbeit, Messire Gawain marvelleth much that the dwarf should
make him such cheer, for many knaveries hath he found in many
places within the bodies of many dwarfs. The dwarf is come into
the chamber where the lady was.

"Now, haste, Lady!" saith he, "Make great joy, for Messire Gawain
is come to harbour with you."

"Certes," saith she, "Of this am I right glad and right sorry;
glad, for that the good knight will lie here to-night, sorry, for
that he is the knight that my lord most hateth in the world.
Wherefore he warneth me against him for love of him, for
oftentimes hath he told me that never did Messire Gawain keep
faith with dame nor damsel but he would have his will of them."

"Lady," saith the dwarf, "It is not true albeit it is so said."


II.

Thereupon Messire Gawain entereth into the courtyard and
alighteth, and the lady cometh to meet him and saith to him: "May
you be come to joy and good adventure."

"Lady," saith he, "May you also have honour and good adventure."

The lady taketh him by the hand and leadeth him into the hall and
maketh him be seated on a cushion of straw. And a squire leadeth
his horse to stable. And the dwarf summoneth two other squires
and doeth Messire Gawain be disarmed, and helpeth them right
busily, and maketh fetch water to wash his hands and his face.

"Sir," saith the dwarf, "Your fists are still all swollen of the
buffets you gave and received at the tournament."

Messire Gawain answered him nought. And the dwarf entereth into
the chamber and bringeth a scarlet robe furred of ermine and
maketh it be done on Messire Gawain. And meat was made ready and
the table set, and the lady sate to eat. Many a time looked he
upon the lady by reason of her great beauty, and, had he been
minded to trust to his heart and his eyes, he would have all
to-changed his purpose; but so straitly was his heart bound up,
and so quenched the desires thereof, that nought would he allow
himself to think upon that might turn to wickedness, for the sake
of the high pilgrimage he had emprised. Rather 'gan he withdraw
his eyes from looking at the lady, that was held to be of passing
great beauty. After meat Messire Gawain's bed was made, and he
apparelled himself to lie down. The lady bade him God give him
good adventure, and he made answer the like. When the lady was
in her chamber, the dwarf said to Messire Gawain: "Sir, I will
lie before you, so as to keep you company until you be asleep."

"Gramercy," saith he, "And God allow me at some time to reward
you of the service."

The dwarf laid himself down on a mattress before Messire Gawain,
and when he saw that he slept, he ariseth as quickly as he may,
and cometh to a boat that was on the river that ran behind the
hall, and entereth thereinto and roweth up-stream of the river.
And he cometh to a fishery, where was a right fair hall on a
little eyot enclosed by a marshy arm of the river. The jealous
knight was come thither for disport, and lay in the midst of the
hall upon a couch. The dwarf cometh forth of his boat thereinto,
and lighteth a great candle in his fist and cometh before the
couch. "What ho, there!" saith the dwarf, "Are you sleeping?"

And the other waketh up sore startled, and asketh what is the
matter and wherefore is he come?

"In God's name," saith he, "You sleep not so much at your ease as
doth Messire Gawain!"

"How know you that?" saith he.

"Well know I," saith the dwarf, "For I left him but now in your
hall, and methinketh he and your lady are abed together arm to
arm."

"How?" saith he, "I forbade her she should ever harbour Messire
Gawain."

"In faith," said the dwarf, "She hath made him greater cheer than
ever saw I her make to none other! But haste you and come, for
great fear have I lest he carry her away!"

"By my head!" saith the knight; "I will go not, howsoever it be!
But she shall pay for it, even though she go!"

"Then of wrong will it be!" saith the dwarf, "as methinketh!"


III.

Messire Gawain lay in the hall that was ware of nought of this.
He seeth that day hath broken fair and clear, and ariseth up.
The lady cometh to the door of the hall and seeth not the dwarf,
whereby well she understandeth his treachery. She saith to
Messire Gawain, "Sir, for God's sake have pity upon me, for the
dwarf hath betrayed me! And you withdraw yourself forth of our
forest and help not to rescue me from the smart that my lord
will make me suffer, great sin will you have thereof. For well
know you, that of right ought I not to be held guilty toward my
lord nor toward any other, for aught that you have done toward me
or I toward you."

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