Le Morte DArthur, vol 1 | Page 6

but that
there was such a noble king named Arthur, and reputed one of the nine
worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men. And many noble

volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in French, which I
have seen and read beyond the sea, which be not had in our maternal
tongue. But in Welsh be many and also in French, and some in English
but nowhere nigh all. Wherefore, such as have late been drawn out
briefly into English I have after the simple conning that God hath sent
to me, under the favour and correction of all noble lords and
gentlemen, enprised to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said
King Arthur, and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me
delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did take out of certain
books of French, and reduced it into English. And I, according to my
copy, have done set it in imprint, to the intent that noble men may see
and learn the noble acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds that
some knights used in those days, by which they came to honour, and
how they that were vicious were punished and oft put to shame and
rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other
estates of what estate or degree they been of, that shall see and read in
this said book and work, that they take the good and honest acts in their
remembrance, and to follow the same. Wherein they shall find many
joyous and pleasant histories, and noble and renowned acts of humanity,
gentleness, and chivalry. For herein may be seen noble chivalry,
courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice,
murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave the evil, and it
shall bring you to good fame and renown. And for to pass the time this
book shall be pleasant to read in, but for to give faith and belief that all
is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty: but all is written
for our doctrine, and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but
to exercise and follow virtue, by which we may come and attain to
good fame and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory
life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven; the which He grant us that
reigneth in heaven, the blessed Trinity. Amen.
Then to proceed forth in this said book, which I direct unto all noble
princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire to read
or hear read of the noble and joyous history of the great conqueror and
excellent king, King Arthur, sometime king of this noble realm,
then called Britain; I, William Caxton, simple person, present this book
following, which I have enprised to imprint: and treateth of the noble
acts, feats of arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness, humanity, love,

courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and
adventures. And for to understand briefly the content of this volume, I
have divided it into XXI Books, and every book chaptered, as hereafter
shall by God's grace follow. The First Book shall treat how Uther
Pendragon gat the noble conqueror King Arthur, and containeth xxviii
chapters. The Second Book treateth of Balin the noble knight, and
containeth xix chapters. The Third Book treateth of the marriage of
King Arthur to Queen Guenever, with other matters, and containeth xv
chapters. The Fourth Book, how Merlin was assotted, and of war made
to King Arthur, and containeth xxix chapters. The Fifth Book treateth
of the conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth xii chapters. The
Sixth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and marvellous
adventures, and containeth xviii chapters. The Seventh Book treateth of
a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir Kay Beaumains,
and containeth xxxvi chapters. The Eighth Book treateth of the birth of
Sir Tristram the noble knight, and of his acts, and containeth xli
chapters. The Ninth Book treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay Le
Cote Male Taille, and also of Sir Tristram, and containeth xliv chapters.
The Tenth Book treateth of Sir Tristram, and other marvellous
adventures, and containeth lxxxviii chapters. The Eleventh Book
treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth xiv chapters.
The Twelfth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and his madness, and
containeth xiv chapters. The Thirteenth Book treateth how Galahad
came first to king Arthur's court, and the quest how the Sangreal was
begun, and containeth xx chapters. The Fourteenth Book treateth
of the quest of the Sangreal, and containeth x chapters. The Fifteenth
Book treateth of Sir Launcelot, and containeth vi chapters. The
Sixteenth Book treateth of Sir Bors and