The Romance of Morien | Page 6

land, he would
put ye to such great shame! Of long time, and full well, do I know his
ways! When he is well entreated, and men do naught to vex him, then
is he gentle as a lamb, but an ye rouse him to wrath then is he the

fiercest wight of God's making--in such wise is he fashioned. Gentle
and courteous is he to all the world, rich and poor, so long as men do
him no wrong, but let his temper be changed, and nowhere shall ye find
his fellow!"
After this manner also spake Sir Lancelot, and all who were in the hall
took up the word of Sir Gawain, and praised Perceval. But there were
many in the court heavy at heart, and sore vexed with the king their
lord for that he held them so cheap.
Quoth the Father of Adventure, "By the might of our Lord, and by His
name, who ruleth in heaven, henceforth I will not rest in one place
more than one night or two, but will ride ever till I have found Perceval,
or learnt certain tidings of his doings; and I will bring him to court an
he be minded to ride with me--further will I not vaunt myself."
Then spake Arthur, "God wot, here have I both joy and sorrow. Fain
am I to behold Perceval, an such fortune befall me, and ill may I spare
thee. Thus have I joy and sorrow. Yet, nephew, trow me well, I were
loth to bid thee break thine oath; now, therefore, make ready as befits
thee, and depart as swiftly as may be, and seek me Perceval."
With these words up sprang Sir Lancelot of the Lake, and stepped
forward, and spake, and said he would adventure himself and take what
fortune should send, and go seek Perceval hither and thither through all
lands; "And may I but find that proud knight, an it lieth in my power,
hither will I bring him! Now will I make me ready, and ride hence
without longer tarrying; methinks, from the king's word, an he have
Perceval he shall be freed from care--so will I ride hence for his
honour."
Quoth Arthur the king: "Sir Lancelot, of this thing it behoves ye take
better rede; lightly might it turn to my shame if all my knights rode
forth, and I thereafter were beset with strife and warfare, as full oft hath
chanced aforetime! So might it in sooth be mine undoing. It hath
chanced afore this that I had lost crown and lands, save for my knights;
by them have I been victorious!"
Quoth Sir Lancelot: "By the Lord who made me, and who shall be
Doom's-man at the last day, come what may thereof, since Sir Gawain
rideth hence 'tis not I will bide behind! Rather will I try what may
chance, and adventure all that God hath given me, for he sought me
with all his power when I was in secret case, and brought me once more

to court--for that do I owe him faith and fellowship."
Then they all wept, wives and maidens, knights and squires, when they
knew Sir Lancelot would ride thence.
Sir Gawain, who forgat not the wounded knight and his need of healing,
went to him as he lay, and bound up his wounds, and so tended him at
that time that he was healed ere long--needs must he be healed, even
against his will, on whom Sir Gawain laid hands. All they of the court
were sad and sorry at their departing; that eve they ate but little, for
thinking of the knights who should ride forth with the morning.
But now will we be silent on their lamentations, and tell henceforth of
Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot, who rode both on their way.
* * * * *
The adventure doeth us to wit that in the morning, so soon as it was day,
they rode forth together through many a waste land, over many a heath
and high hill, adown many a valley to seek Sir Perceval, but little did it
profit them, for of him might they learn naught. Thus were they sorely
vexed.
On the ninth day there came riding towards them a knight on a goodly
steed, and well armed withal. He was all black, even as I tell ye: his
head, his body, and his hands were all black, saving only his teeth. His
shield and his armour were even those of a Moor, and black as a raven.
He rode his steed at full gallop, with many a forward bound. When he
beheld the knights, and drew nigh to them, and the one had greeted the
other, he cried aloud to Sir Lancelot: "Knight, now give me to