THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LAUNCELOT
Retold by Beatrice Clay
After Sir Launcelot had parted from his fellows at the Castle of
Vagon, he rode many days through the forest without adventure, till he
chanced upon a knight close by a little hermitage in the wood.
Immediately, as was the wont of errant knights, they prepared to
joust, and Launcelot, whom none before had overthrown, was borne down,
man and horse, by the stranger knight. Thereupon a nun, who dwelt in
the hermitage, cried: "God be with thee, best knight in all this
world," for she knew the victor for Sir Galahad. But Galahad, not
wishing to be known, rode swiftly away; and presently Sir Launcelot
got to horse again and rode slowly on his way, shamed and doubting
sorely in his heart whether this quest was meant for him.
When night fell, he came to a great stone cross which stood at the
parting of the way and close by a little ruined chapel. So Sir
Launcelot, being minded to pass the night there, alighted, fastened
his horse to a tree and hung his shield on a bough. Then he drew near
to the little chapel, and wondered to see how, all ruinous though it
was, yet within was an altar hung with silk and a great silver
candlestick on it; but when he sought entrance, he could find none
and, much troubled in his mind, he returned to his horse where he had
left it, and unlacing his helm and ungirding his sword, laid him down
to rest.
Then it seemed to Sir Launcelot that, as he lay between sleeping and
waking, there passed him two white palfreys bearing a litter wherein
was a sick knight, who cried: "Sweet Lord, when shall I be pardoned
all my transgressions, and when shall the holy vessel come to me, to
cure me of my sickness?" And instantly it seemed that the great
candlestick came forth of itself from the chapel, floating through the
air before a table of silver on which was the Holy Grail. Thereupon,
the sick knight raised himself, and on his bended knees he approached
so nigh that he kissed the holy vessel; and immediately he cried: "I
thank Thee, sweet Lord, that I am healed of my sickness." And all the
while Sir Launcelot, who saw this wonder, felt himself held that he
could not move. Then a squire brought the stranger knight his weapons,
in much joy that his lord was cured. "Who think ye that this knight
may be who remains sleeping when the holy vessel is so near?" said the
knight. "In truth," said the squire, "he must be one that is held by
the bond of some great sin. I will take his helm and his sword, for
here have I brought you all your armor save only these two." So the
knight armed him from head to foot, and taking Sir Launcelot's horse,
rode away with his squire. On the instant, Sir Launcelot awoke amazed,
not knowing whether he had dreamed or not; but while he wondered,
there came a terrible voice, saying: "Launcelot, arise and leave this
holy place." In shame, Sir Launcelot turned to obey, only to find
horse and sword and shield alike vanished. Then, indeed, he knew
himself dishonored. Weeping bitterly, he made the best of his way on
foot, until he came to a cell where a hermit was saying prayer. Sir
Launcelot knelt too, and, when all was ended, called to the hermit,
entreating him for counsel. "With good will," said the hermit. So Sir
Launcelot made himself known and told the hermit all, lamenting how
his good fortune was turned to wretchedness and his glory to shame;
and truly, the hermit was amazed that Sir Launcelot should be in such
case. "Sir," said he, "God has given you manhood and strength beyond
all other knights; and more are ye bounden to his service." "I have
sinned," said Sir Launcelot; "for in all these years of my knighthood,
I have done everything for the honor and glory of my lady and naught
for my Maker; and little thank have I given to God for all his
benefits to me." Then the holy man gave Sir Launcelot good counsel and
made him rest there that night; and the next day he gave him a horse,
a sword and a helmet, and bade him go forth and bear himself knightly
as the servant of God. |