The Book of Brave Old Ballads Part 8

[66] Rather.

[67] Lies.

[68] The King's foresters.

[69] Slain.

[70] Dress.

[71] Instantly.

[72] An arrow that flies well.

[73] Measured.

[74] Nigh.

[75] G.o.d forbid.

[76] Absolved.

[77] Hie.

SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE.

When Arthur first in court began, And was approved king, By force of arms great victories won, And conquest home did bring.

Then into England straight he came With fifty good and able Knights, that resorted unto him, And were of his round table:

And he had jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many prest, Wherein some knights did far excell And far surmount the rest.

But one, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Who was approved well, He for his deeds and feats of arms, All others did excell.

When he had rested him a while, In play, and game, and sport, He said he would go prove himself In some adventurous sort.

He armed rode in forest wide, And met a damsel fair, Who told him of adventures great, Whereto he gave good ear.

Such would I find, quoth Lancelot: For that cause came I hither.

Thou seem'st, quoth she, a knight full good, And I will bring thee thither,

Whereas a mighty knight doth dwell, That now is of great fame: Therefore tell me what wight thou art, And what may be thy name.

My name is Lancelot du Lake.

Quoth she, it likes me then: Here dwells a knight who never was Yet matcht with any man:

Who has in prison threescore knights And four, that he did wound; Knights of king Arthur's court they be, And of his table round.

She brought him to a river side, And also to a tree, Whereon a copper bason hung, And many s.h.i.+elds to see.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE.]

He struck so hard, the bason broke; And Tarquin soon he spied: Who drove a horse before him fast, Whereon a knight lay tied.

Sir knight, then said Sir Lancelot, Bring me that horse-load hither, And lay him down, and let him rest; We'll try our force together:

For, as I understand, thou hast, So far as thou art able, Done great despite and shame unto The knights of the Round Table.

If thou be of the Table Round, Quoth Tarquin speedily, Both thee and all thy fellows.h.i.+p I utterly defy.

That's over much, quoth Lancelot, though, Defend thee by and by.

They set their spears unto their steeds, And each at other fly.

They couched their spears, (their horses ran, As though there had been thunder) And struck them each immidst their s.h.i.+elds, Wherewith they broke in sunder.

Their horses' backs brake under them, The knights were both astound: To avoid their horses they make haste And light upon the ground.

They took them to their s.h.i.+elds full fast, Their swords they drew out then, With mighty strokes most eagerly Each at the other ran.

They wounded were, and bled full sore, For both for breath did stand, And leaning on their swords awhile, Quoth Tarquin, Hold thy hand,

And tell to me what I shall ask.

Say on, quoth Lancelot tho.[78]

Thou art, quoth Tarquin, the best knight That ever I did know;

And like a knight, that I did hate: So that thou be not he, I will deliver all the rest, And eke accord with thee.

That is well said, quoth Lancelot; But since it must be so, What knight is that thou hatest thus?

I pray thee to me show.

His name is Lancelot du Lake, He slew my brother dear; Him I suspect of all the rest: I would I had him here.

Thy wish thou hast, but yet unknown, I am Lancelot du Lake, Now knight of Arthur's Table Round; King Haud's son, of Schuwake;

And I desire thee do thy worst.

Ho, ho, quoth Tarquin tho, One of us two shall end our lives Before that we do go.

If thou be Lancelot du Lake, Then welcome shalt thou be; Wherefore see thou thyself defend, For now defy I thee.

They buckled then together so, Like unto wild boars ras.h.i.+ng, And with their swords and s.h.i.+elds they ran At one another slas.h.i.+ng:

The ground besprinkled was with blood: Tarquin began to yield; For he gave back for weariness, And low did bear his s.h.i.+eld.

This soon Sir Lancelot espied, He leapt upon him then, He pull'd him down upon his knee, And rus.h.i.+ng[79] off his helm,