The Romance of Morien | Page 9

in
all humility), but an he be already dead, then may God forgive him his
sins. I and my mother are disinherited, since that he hath deserted us, of
great goods and of a fair heritage, that which fell to her from her father
have we lost altogether. It hath been denied us by the law of the land.
Thereto was I greatly shamed, for they called me fatherless, and I could

shew naught against it, nor tell them who it was that begat me, since
my father had thus fled. So did I cause myself to be dubbed knight, and
sware a great oath (I were loth to break it) that never should I meet a
knight but I would fight him, or he should tell me if he perchance knew
any tidings of my father, that I might learn somewhat concerning him.
Did I meet mine own brother, I would not break mine oath, nor my vow;
and till now have I kept it well, nor broken it by my default. And here
would I bid ye twain, if ye would part from me in friendship, that ye
tell me what ye may know thereof, out and out, by your troth, and
therewith end this talk. Otherwise let us end this matter even as we
began it, for there liveth no knight under the sun for whom I would
break mine oath, were it for my hurt, or for my profit."
Then was there neither of the twain, Sir Gawain nor Sir Lancelot, but
the tears fell from their eyes when they heard the knight's tale. Such
pity had they for him, they waxed pale, and red, and discovered their
faces, when they heard his plaint.
Quoth Sir Lancelot: "By my good days, nevermore will I be wrathful,
nor bear rancour against ye for any lack of courtesy; ye need no longer
stand on guard against me, my heart is not evil towards ye, and we will
counsel ye well."
Then was the black knight blithe, and drew near to Sir Lancelot, and
bared his head, which was black as pitch; that was the fashion of his
land--Moors are black as burnt brands. But in all that men would praise
in a knight was he fair; after his kind. Though he were black, what was
he the worse? In him was naught unsightly; he was taller by half a foot
than any knight who stood beside him, and as yet was he scarce more
than a child! It pleased him so well when he heard them speak thus of
Sir Agloval that he knelt him straightway on the earth; but Sir Gawain
raised him up, and told him their tidings, how they were but as
messengers, and belonged to the court of King Arthur, which was of
high renown, and that they rode at that time seeking Sir Perceval and
Sir Agloval, since the king desired them both. "And his mind is to see
and speak with them; may we by any means persuade those noble
knights we shall return straightway to the king's court, an it be so that
they will ride with us (further will we not vaunt ourselves, 'tis of our
good will, and their pleasure), thereby shall the king be the more
honoured. They belong to the Round Table, and have done so of long

time; both are of the king's court, and knights of high renown. Now an
ye will work wisely, and shun your own harm, ye will mount, and ride
to King Arthur's court, and delay not. I hope in God that Sir Agloval
shall come thither within short space, or that ye shall hear tidings of
him; for there come full oft tidings from afar. Go ye to court without
tarrying, the king will receive ye well. Tell him, and give him to wit
who ye be, and whence ye come, and the quest upon which ye ride; he
will not let ye depart ere we come and bring with us your father, an
God prosper us. Should ye ride thus through the land, and fight with
every knight whom ye may meet, ye will need great good fortune to
win every conflict without mischance or ill-hap! They who will be ever
fighting, and ne'er avoid a combat, an they hold such custom for long,
though at whiles they escape, yet shall they find their master, who will
perforce change their mood! Now Sir Knight do our bidding, for your
own honour's sake, and ride ye to court; grant us this grace, for ere ye
have abode long time there I hope that ye shall behold your father or
receive tidings of him. But till that time abide ye at the court, there
shall ye be well at ease in many ways.