Chương Chương 468 · How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred were busy upon Sir Gawaine

. How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred were busy upon Sir Gawaine

for to disclose the love between Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenever.

In May when every lusty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth, for as the

season is lusty to behold and comfortable, so man and woman rejoice and

gladden of summer coming with his fresh flowers: for winter with his

rough winds and blasts causeth a lusty man and woman to cower and sit

fast by the fire. So in this season, as in the month of May, it befell

a great anger and unhap that stinted not till the flower of chivalry of

all the world was destroyed and slain; and all was long upon two

unhappy knights the which were named Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that

were brethren unto Sir Gawaine. For this Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred

had ever a privy hate unto the queen Dame Guenever and to Sir

Launcelot, and daily and nightly they ever watched upon Sir Launcelot.

So it mishapped, Sir Gawaine and all his brethren were in King Arthur’s

chamber; and then Sir Agravaine said thus openly, and not in no

counsel, that many knights might hear it: I marvel that we all be not

ashamed both to see and to know how Sir Launcelot lieth daily and

nightly by the queen, and all we know it so; and it is shamefully

suffered of us all, that we all should suffer so noble a king as King

Arthur is so to be shamed.

Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said: Brother Sir Agravaine, I pray you and

charge you move no such matters no more afore me, for wit you well,

said Sir Gawaine, I will not be of your counsel. So God me help, said

Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, we will not be knowing, brother Agravaine,

of your deeds. Then will I, said Sir Mordred. I lieve well that, said

Sir Gawaine, for ever unto all unhappiness, brother Sir Mordred,

thereto will ye grant; and I would that ye left all this, and made you

not so busy, for I know, said Sir Gawaine, what will fall of it. Fall

of it what fall may, said Sir Agravaine, I will disclose it to the

king. Not by my counsel, said Sir Gawaine, for an there rise war and

wrack betwixt Sir Launcelot and us, wit you well brother, there will

many kings and great lords hold with Sir Launcelot. Also, brother Sir

Agravaine, said Sir Gawaine, ye must remember how ofttimes Sir

Launcelot hath rescued the king and the queen; and the best of us all

had been full cold at the heart-root had not Sir Launcelot been better

than we, and that hath he proved himself full oft. And as for my part,

said Sir Gawaine, I will never be against Sir Launcelot for one day’s

deed, when he rescued me from King Carados of the Dolorous Tower, and

slew him, and saved my life. Also, brother Sir Agravaine and Sir

Mordred, in like wise Sir Launcelot rescued you both, and threescore

and two, from Sir Turquin. Methinketh brother, such kind deeds and

kindness should be remembered. Do as ye list, said Sir Agravaine, for I

will lain it no longer. With these words came to them King Arthur. Now

brother, stint your noise, said Sir Gawaine. We will not, said Sir

Agravaine and Sir Mordred. Will ye so? said Sir Gawaine; then God speed

you, for I will not hear your tales ne be of your counsel. No more will

I, said Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, for we will never say evil by that

man; for because, said Sir Gareth, Sir Launcelot made me knight, by no

manner owe I to say ill of him: and therewithal they three departed,

making great dole. Alas, said Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth, now is this

realm wholly mischieved, and the noble fellowship of the Round Table

shall be disparpled: so they departed.