Bab Bab 24 · How twelve knights came from Rome and asked truage for

. How twelve knights came from Rome and asked truage for

this land of Arthur, and how Arthur fought with a knight.

When the knight saw him lie so on the ground, he alighted, and was

passing heavy, for he weened he had slain him, and then he unlaced his

helm and gat him wind, and so with the truncheon he set him on his

horse, and so betook him to God, and said he had a mighty heart, and if

he might live he would prove a passing good knight. And so Sir Griflet

rode to the court, where great dole was made for him. But through good

leeches he was healed and saved. Right so came into the court twelve

knights, and were aged men, and they came from the Emperor of Rome, and

they asked of Arthur truage for this realm, other else the emperor

would destroy him and his land. Well, said King Arthur, ye are

messengers, therefore ye may say what ye will, other else ye should die

therefore. But this is mine answer: I owe the emperor no truage, nor

none will I hold him, but on a fair field I shall give him my truage

that shall be with a sharp spear, or else with a sharp sword, and that

shall not be long, by my father’s soul, Uther Pendragon. And therewith

the messengers departed passingly wroth, and King Arthur as wroth, for

in evil time came they then; for the king was passingly wroth for the

hurt of Sir Griflet. And so he commanded a privy man of his chamber

that or it be day his best horse and armour, with all that longeth unto

his person, be without the city or to-morrow day. Right so or to-morrow

day he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed

his shield and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there

till he came again. And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day, and

then was he ware of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain

him. Then the king rode unto them, and bade them: Flee, churls! then

were they afeard 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 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. 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 custom, 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 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 to-shivered their spears. Therewith

anon Arthur pulled out his sword. Nay, not so, said 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 spears. I have

enow, said the knight; so there came a squire and brought two good

spears, and Arthur chose one and he another; so they spurred their

horses and came together 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 order of knighthood let us

joust once again. 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 other knight hit

him so hard in midst of 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 horseback. I will be on horseback, said the knight. Then was

Arthur wroth, and dressed his shield toward him with his sword drawn.

When the knight saw that, he alighted, for him thought no worship to

have a knight at such avail, he to be on horseback and he on foot, and

so he alighted 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 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, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the knight unto Arthur,

Thou art in my daunger whether me list to save thee or slay 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 liefer die than to be so shamed. And

therewithal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him by the middle

and threw him down, and raced off his helm. When the knight felt that

he was adread, for he was a passing big man of might, and anon he

brought Arthur under him, and raced off his helm and would have smitten

off his head.