King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

rise, King Arthur resolved to follow all his enemies to their own coasts. Anon he fitted out a great fleet, and sailing first to Ireland, in one

Iceland and subdued it also, and the winte

e British coasts; for he was determined to give so terrible a lesson to those savages as s

ry, met and gave him battle; but, after mighty slaughter, the Britons had

d the country people, and pursued the victory till they had redu

e upon them, he voyaged on to Gaul, being steadfastly set upon defeating the Roman governor of that

that all the children of the country are destroyed; and but the other day he seized upon our duchess, as she rode out with her men, and took her away to his lodging in a cave of a mountain, and though five hundred people followed her, yet could they give her no help or

an the best realm I have, that I had rescued that lady ere the giant laid his hand o

u seest two great fires, there shalt thou find him,

evensong he would ride a pilgrimage with them alone to St. Michael's Mount. So in the evening they departed, and rode as fast as they could t

rowful widow wringing her hands and weeping miserably, sitting by a new-made grave.

. Here lieth dead my lady, Duchess of Brittany, wife to Sir Hoel, who was the fairest lady in the world, foully and shamefully slaughtered by that fiend! Beware that thou go not too nigh, for he hath over

st of the hill, and saw where the giant sat at supper, gnawing on a limb of a man, and baking his huge frame by th

ud-"God, that wieldeth all the world, give thee short life and shameful death, and may the devil have thy soul! Why hast thou slain those

, smote the king, and struck his crown from off his head. But King Arthur smote hi

er. But King Arthur struggled and writhed, and twisted him about so that the giant could not hold him tightly; and as they fiercely wrestled, they

ms stiffened in death around King Arthur's body, and groaning horribly, he died. So presently the two knights c

rds let it be fastened to the castle gate, that all the people may behold it. And go ye two up on the mountain and fetch me my shield and sword, and also the great club of i

the army. But when this deed was noised abroad, all the people came in multitudes to thank the king, who told them "to give thanks to God, and to divid

tribune, retired before them into Paris. But while he was preparing to collect more forces fr

sired that they two might fight together; for he was a man of mighty stature and courage, and thought himself sure of the victory. This challe

the people also were gathered to see the issue. And as the king and Flollo rode up to the lists, each was so no

ng Arthur, carrying his spear more warily, struck it on the upper part of Flollo's breast, and flung him from his saddle to the earth. Then drawing his sword, he cried to

Gauls. But as they were about to burst the barriers, and rush upon the lists, King Arthur hastily arose, and, guarding himself wit

g Arthur a huge stroke upon the helm, which nigh o

g up Excalibur on high, with all his might, he struck straight through the helmet into Flollo's head, a

s all ran together, and, opening the gat

educed it everywhere to subjection, he returned again to Britai

barons, who owed him homage, that he might treat them r

liness and magnificence of the royal palaces, with lofty gilded roofs, made it even rival the grandeur of Rome. It was famous also for two great and noble churches, whereof one was built in honor of the martyr Julius, and adorned with a choir of virgins who had devoted themselves whol

ur held his court, with many jousts and tournaments, and r

compelled each one of them to cut off his beard; that he had trimmed a mantle with these beards, and lacked but one more beard to finish it; and that he therefore now sent for King Art

sent to any king: now hear my reply. My beard is yet too young to trim that mantle of thy master's with; yet, young although I be, I owe no homage either to him or any man-nor will ever owe. But, young although I be, I will have thy master's homage upon both his knees before

ence. "Yea," answered Sir Noran, "I know him well, and there be few better or stronger knights upon a field than he; and

"I shall be ready for hi

?" "Sir," said she, "I will tell thee. This sword wherewith I am thus girt gives me great sorrow and encumbrance, for I may not be delivered from it till I find a knight faithful and pure and true, strong of body and of valiant deeds, without guile or treachery, who shall be able t

in my heart that I am the best knight, but rather to begin and give example that all may try after m

said the damsel, "for whoever may be able

Now try ye, all my barons; but beware ye be not stained with shame, or any treachery, or guile." And turning away his face fro

ceed; whereat the damsel greatly wept, and said, "Alas, alas! I thought in thi

d been by the good offices of the barons delivered from prison, for he was of good and valiant address and gentle blood. He being secretly present at the court saw this advantage, and felt his heart rise high within him, and longed to t

ray thee of thy courtesy, suffer me to try the sword as well as all the

nts could not think him to be any knight of worship, and said, "Sir, there is no need to put m

ot shown by fair raiment but manhood and truth lie hid within the

replied the damsel; "try therefore

and drew it lightly out, and looking on its wo

, for, "Truly," said the damsel, "this is a passing good knight, and the best man I have ever found,

ht," continued she, turning to

e taken from me by force, I shall

for if thou wilt do so, thou shall slay with it the best frien

ay send," said Balin; "but the sword

rather than for mine, for I am passing grieved and heavy for thy sake, who wilt not

ve that thou art displeased that I showed thee unkindness; blame me not overmuch, for I was misinformed against thee, and knew not truly

rd thy bounty and thy nobleness; but at this time I must

g, and thou shalt be right welcome to me and all my knights when thou returne

" again said Balin, an

nd saluted King Arthur, and asked him for the gift that he had promised her whe

e king, "and thou shalt have

he sword, or else the damsel's head who brought it, or else both; fo

desire; it were against my nature and against my name

d no other th

sought in vain three years. And when they told him that she had asked King Arthur for his head, he went up straight to her and said, "May evil have thee

shaming both me and my court? I am beholden greatly to this lady, and under my safe co

ing, and by her witchcraft hath destroyed many, and caused my mo

her in my presence. Deceive not thyself, thou shalt repent this sin, for such a shame

wn. Then said he, "Now must we part; take ye this head and bear it to my friends in Northumberland, and tell them how

are greatly to blame to hav

or lose my life; for should I take him prisoner, and lead him to the court,

eet thee again?"

hur's court,