Kabanata Kabanata 112 · How Sir Launcelot slew two giants, and made a castle free.

. How Sir Launcelot slew two giants, and made a castle free.

Anon withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save

the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put

his shield afore him and put the stroke away of the one giant, and with

his sword he clave his head asunder. When his fellow saw that, he ran

away as he were wood, for fear of the horrible strokes, and Launcelot

after him with all his might, and smote him on the shoulder, and clave

him to the navel. Then Sir Launcelot went into the hall, and there came

afore him three score ladies and damosels, and all kneeled unto him,

and thanked God and him of their deliverance; For sir, said they, the

most party of us have been here this seven year their prisoners, and we

have worked all manner of silk works for our meat, and we are all great

gentlewomen born; and blessed be the time, knight, that ever thou be

born, for thou hast done the most worship that ever did knight in this

world, that will we bear record, and we all pray you to tell us your

name, that we may tell our friends who delivered us out of prison. Fair

damosel, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah, sir, said they

all, well mayest thou be he, for else save yourself, as we deemed,

there might never knight have the better of these two giants; for many

fair knights have assayed it, and here have ended, and many times have

we wished after you, and these two giants dread never knight but you.

Now may ye say, said Sir Launcelot, unto your friends how and who hath

delivered you, and greet them all from me, and if that I come in any of

your marches, show me such cheer as ye have cause, and what treasure

that there in this castle is I give it you for a reward for your

grievance, and the lord that is owner of this castle I would he

received it as is right. Fair sir, said they, the name of this castle

is Tintagil, and a duke ought it sometime that had wedded fair Igraine,

and after wedded her Uther Pendragon, and gat on her Arthur. Well, said

Sir Launcelot, I understand to whom this castle longeth; and so he

departed from them, and betaught them unto God.

And then he mounted upon his horse, and rode into many strange and wild

countries, and through many waters and valleys, and evil was he lodged.

And at the last by fortune him happened, against a night, to come to a

fair courtelage, and therein he found an old gentlewoman that lodged

him with good will, and there he had good cheer for him and his horse.

And when time was, his host brought him into a fair garret, over the

gate, to his bed. There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his harness

by him, and went to bed, and anon he fell asleep. So, soon after, there

came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great haste, and when

Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out at the window, and

saw by the moonlight three knights came riding after that one man, and

all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned

on them knightly again, and defended him. Truly, said Sir Launcelot,

yonder one knight shall I help, for it were shame for me to see three

knights on one, and if he be slain I am partner of his death; and

therewith he took his harness, and went out at a window by a sheet down

to the four knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high, Turn you

knights unto me, and leave your fighting with that knight. And then

they all three left Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir Launcelot, and there

began great battle, for they alighted all three, and struck many great

strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. Then Sir Kay

dressed him for to have holpen Sir Launcelot. Nay, sir, said he, I will

none of your help; therefore as ye will have my help, let me alone with

them. Sir Kay, for the pleasure of the knight, suffered him for to do

his will, and so stood aside. And then anon within six strokes, Sir

Launcelot had stricken them to the earth.

And then they all three cried: Sir knight, we yield us unto you as a

man of might makeless. As to that, said Sir Launcelot, I will not take

your yielding unto me. But so that ye will yield you unto Sir Kay the

Seneschal, on that covenant I will save your lives, and else not. Fair

knight, said they, that were we loath to do; for as for Sir Kay, we

chased him hither, and had overcome him had not ye been, therefore to

yield us unto him it were no reason. Well, as to that, said Launcelot,

advise you well, for ye may choose whether ye will die or live, for an

ye be yolden it shall be unto Sir Kay. Fair knight, then they said, in

saving of our lives we will do as thou commandest us. Then shall ye,

said Sir Launcelot, on Whitsunday next coming, go unto the court of

King Arthur, and there shall ye yield you unto Queen Guenever, and put

you all three in her grace and mercy, and say that Sir Kay sent you

thither to be her prisoners. Sir, they said, it shall be done by the

faith of our bodies, an we be living, and there they swore every knight

upon his sword. And so Sir Launcelot suffered them so to depart. And

then Sir Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword,

and with that came his host, and in they entered Sir Kay and he. Sir,

said his host, I weened ye had been in your bed. So I was, said Sir

Launcelot, but I rose and leapt out at my window for to help an old

fellow of mine. And so when they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew well

that it was Sir Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked

him of all his kindness that he had holpen him twice from the death.

Sir, he said, I have nothing done but that me ought for to do, and ye

are welcome, and here shall ye repose you and take your rest.

So when Sir Kay was unarmed, he asked after meat; so there was meat

fetched him, and he ate strongly. And when he had supped they went to

their beds and were lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir

Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping, and Sir Launcelot

took Sir Kay’s armour and his shield, and armed him, and so he went to

the stable, and took his horse, and took his leave of his host, and so

he departed. Then soon after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot.

And then he espied that he had his armour and his horse. Now by my

faith I know well that he will grieve some of the court of King Arthur;

for on him knights will be bold, and deem that it is I, and that will

beguile them. And because of his armour and shield I am sure I shall

ride in peace. And then soon after departed Sir Kay and thanked his

host.