{ "id": "alfred-lord-tennyson/gareth-and-lynette", "title": "Gareth and Lynette", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "Alfred, Lord Tennyson", "poet_slug": "alfred-lord-tennyson", "language": "en", "book": "Idylls of the King", "book_slug": "idylls-of-the-king", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 3, "container": null, "epigraph": null, "first_published": { "year": 1885, "venue": "Idylls of the King (1885)", "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.", "uncertain": false, "sources": [ "https://archive.org/details/idyllsofking00tenn", "https://github.com/standardebooks/alfred-lord-tennyson_idylls-of-the-king", "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/610" ] }, "source": { "kind": "standard-ebooks", "repo": "standardebooks/alfred-lord-tennyson_idylls-of-the-king", "file": "gareth-and-lynette.xhtml", "upstream": [ "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/610", "https://archive.org/details/idyllsofking00tenn", "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/101901267" ], "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)" }, "verification": { "level": "structural-only", "last_checked": "2026-08-20" }, "stats": { "n_lines": 1430, "n_stanzas": 138, "n_parts": 0, "longest_line_chars": 62, "max_indent": 0 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "The last tall son of Lot and Bellicent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And tallest, Gareth, in a showerful spring", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stared at the spate. A slender-shafted Pine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lost footing, fell, and so was whirled away.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“How he went down,” said Gareth, “as a false knight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or evil king before my lance if lance", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were mine to use⁠—O senseless cataract,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bearing all down in thy precipitancy⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And yet thou art but swollen with cold snows", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mine is living blood: thou dost His will,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Maker’s, and not knowest, and I that know,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have strength and wit, in my good mother’s hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Linger with vacillating obedience,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Prisoned, and kept and coaxed and whistled to⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since the good mother holds me still a child!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Good mother is bad mother unto me!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A worse were better; yet no worse would I.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven yield her for it, but in me put force", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To weary her ears with one continuous prayer,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Until she let me fly discaged to sweep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In ever-highering eagle-circles up", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the great Sun of Glory, and thence swoop", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down upon all things base, and dash them dead,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A knight of Arthur, working out his will,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To cleanse the world. Why, Gawain, when he came", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Modred hither in the summertime,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Asked me to tilt with him, the proven knight.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Modred for want of worthier was the judge.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then I so shook him in the saddle, he said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Thou hast half prevailed against me,’ said so⁠—he⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though Modred biting his thin lips was mute,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For he is alway sullen: what care I?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth went, and hovering round her chair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Asked, “Mother, though ye count me still the child,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet mother, do ye love the child?” She laughed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Thou art but a wild-goose to question it.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Then, mother, an ye love the child,” he said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Being a goose and rather tame than wild,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hear the child’s story.” “Yea, my well-beloved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "An ’twere but of the goose and golden eggs.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth answered her with kindling eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Nay, nay, good mother, but this egg of mine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was finer gold than any goose can lay;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For this an Eagle, a royal Eagle, laid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Almost beyond eye-reach, on such a palm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As glitters gilded in thy Book of Hours.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And there was ever haunting round the palm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A lusty youth, but poor, who often saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The splendour sparkling from aloft, and thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘An I could climb and lay my hand upon it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then were I wealthier than a leash of kings.’", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But ever when he reached a hand to climb,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One, that had loved him from his childhood, caught", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And stayed him, ‘Climb not lest thou break thy neck,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I charge thee by my love,’ and so the boy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet mother, neither clomb, nor brake his neck,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But brake his very heart in pining for it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And past away.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the mother said,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“True love, sweet son, had risked himself and climbed,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And handed down the golden treasure to him.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth answered her with kindling eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Gold? said I gold?⁠—ay then, why he, or she,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or whosoe’er it was, or half the world", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had ventured⁠—had the thing I spake of been", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mere gold⁠—but this was all of that true steel,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereof they forged the brand Excalibur,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And lightnings played about it in the storm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all the little fowl were flurried at it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And there were cries and clashings in the nest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That sent him from his senses: let me go.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Bellicent bemoaned herself and said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Hast thou no pity upon my loneliness?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lo, where thy father Lot beside the hearth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lies like a log, and all but smouldered out!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For ever since when traitor to the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He fought against him in the Barons’ war,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Arthur gave him back his territory,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His age hath slowly droopt, and now lies there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A yet-warm corpse, and yet unburiable,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No more; nor sees, nor hears, nor speaks, nor knows.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And both thy brethren are in Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Albeit neither loved with that full love", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I feel for thee, nor worthy such a love:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stay therefore thou; red berries charm the bird,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thee, mine innocent, the jousts, the wars,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who never knewest finger-ache, nor pang", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of wrenched or broken limb⁠—an often chance", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In those brain-stunning shocks, and tourney-falls,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Frights to my heart; but stay: follow the deer", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By these tall firs and our fast-falling burns;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So make thy manhood mightier day by day;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet is the chase: and I will seek thee out", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some comfortable bride and fair, to grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy climbing life, and cherish my prone year,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till falling into Lot’s forgetfulness", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I know not thee, myself, nor anything.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stay, my best son! ye are yet more boy than man.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Gareth, “An ye hold me yet for child,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hear yet once more the story of the child.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For, mother, there was once a King, like ours.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The prince his heir, when tall and marriageable,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Asked for a bride; and thereupon the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Set two before him. One was fair, strong, armed⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But to be won by force⁠—and many men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Desired her; one good lack, no man desired.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And these were the conditions of the King:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That save he won the first by force, he needs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Must wed that other, whom no man desired,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A red-faced bride who knew herself so vile,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That evermore she longed to hide herself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor fronted man or woman, eye to eye⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yea⁠—some she cleaved to, but they died of her.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And one⁠—they called her Fame; and one⁠—O Mother,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How can ye keep me tethered to you⁠—Shame.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Man am I grown, a man’s work must I do.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Follow the deer? follow the Christ, the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Else, wherefore born?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom the mother said", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Sweet son, for there be many who deem him not,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Or will not deem him, wholly proven King⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Albeit in mine own heart I knew him King,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "When I was frequent with him in my youth,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And heard him Kingly speak, and doubted him", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "No more than he, himself; but felt him mine,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of closest kin to me: yet⁠—wilt thou leave", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thine easeful biding here, and risk thine all,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Life, limbs, for one that is not proven King?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Stay, till the cloud that settles round his birth", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hath lifted but a little. Stay, sweet son.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth answered quickly, “Not an hour,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So that ye yield me⁠—I will walk through fire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mother, to gain it⁠—your full leave to go.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not proven, who swept the dust of ruined Rome", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From off the threshold of the realm, and crushed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Idolaters, and made the people free?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who should be King save him who makes us free?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So when the Queen, who long had sought in vain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To break him from the intent to which he grew,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Found her son’s will unwaveringly one,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She answered craftily, “Will ye walk through fire?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who walks through fire will hardly heed the smoke.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ay, go then, an ye must: only one proof,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before thou ask the King to make thee knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of thine obedience and thy love to me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy mother⁠—I demand.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth cried,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“A hard one, or a hundred, so I go.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Nay⁠—quick! the proof to prove me to the quick!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "But slowly spake the mother looking at him,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Prince, thou shalt go disguised to Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And hire thyself to serve for meats and drinks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the scullions and the kitchen-knaves,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And those that hand the dish across the bar.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor shalt thou tell thy name to anyone.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thou shalt serve a twelvemonth and a day.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For so the Queen believed that when her son", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beheld his only way to glory lead", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Low down through villain kitchen-vassalage,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her own true Gareth was too princely-proud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To pass thereby; so should he rest with her,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Closed in her castle from the sound of arms.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Silent awhile was Gareth, then replied,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“The thrall in person may be free in soul,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And I shall see the jousts. Thy son am I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And since thou art my mother, must obey.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I therefore yield me freely to thy will;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For hence will I, disguised, and hire myself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To serve with scullions and with kitchen-knaves;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor tell my name to any⁠—no, not the King.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Gareth awhile lingered. The mother’s eye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full of the wistful fear that he would go,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And turning toward him wheresoe’er he turned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perplext his outward purpose, till an hour,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When wakened by the wind which with full voice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Swept bellowing through the darkness on to dawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He rose, and out of slumber calling two", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That still had tended on him from his birth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before the wakeful mother heard him, went.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The three were clad like tillers of the soil.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Southward they set their faces. The birds made", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Melody on branch, and melody in mid air.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The damp hill-slopes were quickened into green,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And the live green had kindled into flowers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For it was past the time of Easterday.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So, when their feet were planted on the plain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That broadened toward the base of Camelot,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far off they saw the silver-misty morn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rolling her smoke about the Royal mount,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That rose between the forest and the field.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At times the summit of the high city flashed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At times the spires and turrets halfway down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pricked through the mist; at times the great gate shone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Only, that opened on the field below:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Anon, the whole fair city had disappeared.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then those who went with Gareth were amazed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One crying, “Let us go no further, lord.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here is a city of Enchanters, built", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By fairy Kings.” The second echoed him,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lord, we have heard from our wise man at home", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To Northward, that this King is not the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But only changeling out of Fairyland,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who drave the heathen hence by sorcery", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Merlin’s glamour.” Then the first again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lord, there is no such city anywhere,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But all a vision.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Gareth answered them", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With laughter, swearing he had glamour enow", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In his own blood, his princedom, youth and hopes,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To plunge old Merlin in the Arabian sea;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "So pushed them all unwilling toward the gate.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And there was no gate like it under heaven.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "For barefoot on the keystone, which was lined", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And rippled like an ever-fleeting wave,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The Lady of the Lake stood: all her dress", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Wept from her sides as water flowing away;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But like the cross her great and goodly arms", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Stretched under the cornice and upheld:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And drops of water fell from either hand;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And down from one a sword was hung, from one", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A censer, either worn with wind and storm;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And o’er her breast floated the sacred fish;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And in the space to left of her, and right,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Were Arthur’s wars in weird devices done,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "New things and old co-twisted, as if Time", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Were nothing, so inveterately, that men", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Were giddy gazing there; and over all", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "High on the top were those three Queens, the friends", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of Arthur, who should help him at his need.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then those with Gareth for so long a space", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stared at the figures, that at last it seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The dragon-boughts and elvish emblemings", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Began to move, seethe, twine and curl: they called", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To Gareth, “Lord, the gateway is alive.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth likewise on them fixt his eyes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So long, that even to him they seemed to move.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Out of the city a blast of music pealed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Back from the gate started the three, to whom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From out thereunder came an ancient man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Long-bearded, saying, “Who be ye, my sons?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Gareth, “We be tillers of the soil,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who leaving share in furrow come to see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The glories of our King: but these, my men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Your city moved so weirdly in the mist)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Doubt if the King be King at all, or come", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From Fairyland; and whether this be built", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By magic, and by fairy Kings and Queens;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or whether there be any city at all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or all a vision: and this music now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath scared them both, but tell thou these the truth.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then that old Seer made answer playing on him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And saying, “Son, I have seen the good ship sail", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Keel upward, and mast downward, in the heavens,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And solid turrets topsy-turvy in air:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And here is truth; but an it please thee not,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Take thou the truth as thou hast told it me.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For truly as thou sayest, a Fairy King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Fairy Queens have built the city, son;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They came from out a sacred mountain-cleft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Toward the sunrise, each with harp in hand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And built it to the music of their harps.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, as thou sayest, it is enchanted, son,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For there is nothing in it as it seems", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saving the King; though some there be that hold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The King a shadow, and the city real:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet take thou heed of him, for, so thou pass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beneath this archway, then wilt thou become", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A thrall to his enchantments, for the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will bind thee by such vows, as is a shame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A man should not be bound by, yet the which", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No man can keep; but, so thou dread to swear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pass not beneath this gateway, but abide", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without, among the cattle of the field.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For an ye heard a music, like enow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They are building still, seeing the city is built", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To music, therefore never built at all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And therefore built forever.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Gareth spake", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Angered, “Old master, reverence thine own beard", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "That looks as white as utter truth, and seems", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Wellnigh as long as thou art statured tall!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Why mockest thou the stranger that hath been", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To thee fair-spoken?”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "But the Seer replied,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Know ye not then the Riddling of the Bards?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "‘Confusion, and illusion, and relation,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Elusion, and occasion, and evasion’?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I mock thee not but as thou mockest me,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And all that see thee, for thou art not who", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thou seemest, but I know thee who thou art.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And now thou goest up to mock the King,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Who cannot brook the shadow of any lie.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Unmockingly the mocker ending here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Turned to the right, and past along the plain;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom Gareth looking after said, “My men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our one white lie sits like a little ghost", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here on the threshold of our enterprise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let love be blamed for it, not she, nor I:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Well, we will make amends.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "With all good cheer", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "He spake and laughed, then entered with his twain", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Camelot, a city of shadowy palaces", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And stately, rich in emblem and the work", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of ancient kings who did their days in stone;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Which Merlin’s hand, the Mage at Arthur’s court,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Knowing all arts, had touched, and everywhere", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "At Arthur’s ordinance, tipt with lessening peak", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And pinnacle, and had made it spire to heaven.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And ever and anon a knight would pass", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Outward, or inward to the hall: his arms", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Clashed; and the sound was good to Gareth’s ear.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And out of bower and casement shyly glanced", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Eyes of pure women, wholesome stars of love;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And all about a healthful people stept", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "As in the presence of a gracious king.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then into hall Gareth ascending heard", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A voice, the voice of Arthur, and beheld", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far over heads in that long-vaulted hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The splendour of the presence of the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Throned, and delivering doom⁠—and looked no more⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But felt his young heart hammering in his ears,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thought, “For this half-shadow of a lie", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The truthful King will doom me when I speak.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet pressing on, though all in fear to find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Gawain or Sir Modred, saw nor one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor other, but in all the listening eyes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of those tall knights, that ranged about the throne,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Clear honour shining like the dewy star", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of dawn, and faith in their great King, with pure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Affection, and the light of victory,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And glory gained, and evermore to gain.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then came a widow crying to the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“A boon, Sir King! Thy father, Uther, reft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From my dead lord a field with violence:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For howsoe’er at first he proffered gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet, for the field was pleasant in our eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We yielded not; and then he reft us of it", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perforce, and left us neither gold nor field.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Said Arthur, “Whether would ye? gold or field?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To whom the woman weeping, “Nay, my lord,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The field was pleasant in my husband’s eye.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Arthur, “Have thy pleasant field again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thrice the gold for Uther’s use thereof,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "According to the years. No boon is here,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But justice, so thy say be proven true.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Accursed, who from the wrongs his father did", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would shape himself a right!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And while she past,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Came yet another widow crying to him,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“A boon, Sir King! Thine enemy, King, am I.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With thine own hand thou slewest my dear lord,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A knight of Uther in the Barons’ war,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "When Lot and many another rose and fought", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Against thee, saying thou wert basely born.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I held with these, and loathe to ask thee aught.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Yet lo! my husband’s brother had my son", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thralled in his castle, and hath starved him dead;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And standeth seized of that inheritance", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Which thou that slewest the sire hast left the son.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "So though I scarce can ask it thee for hate,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Grant me some knight to do the battle for me,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Kill the foul thief, and wreak me for my son.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then strode a good knight forward, crying to him,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“A boon, Sir King! I am her kinsman, I.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Give me to right her wrong, and slay the man.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then came Sir Kay, the seneschal, and cried,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“A boon, Sir King! even that thou grant her none,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This railer, that hath mocked thee in full hall⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "None; or the wholesome boon of gyve and gag.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Arthur, “We sit King, to help the wronged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through all our realm. The woman loves her lord.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Peace to thee, woman, with thy loves and hates!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The kings of old had doomed thee to the flames,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Aurelius Emrys would have scourged thee dead,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Uther slit thy tongue: but get thee hence⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest that rough humour of the kings of old", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Return upon me! Thou that art her kin,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Go likewise; lay him low and slay him not,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But bring him here, that I may judge the right,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "According to the justice of the King:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then, be he guilty, by that deathless King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who lived and died for men, the man shall die.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then came in hall the messenger of Mark,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A name of evil savour in the land,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Cornish king. In either hand he bore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What dazzled all, and shone far-off as shines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A field of charlock in the sudden sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Between two showers, a cloth of palest gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which down he laid before the throne, and knelt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Delivering, that his lord, the vassal king,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was even upon his way to Camelot;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For having heard that Arthur of his grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had made his goodly cousin, Tristram, knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, for himself was of the greater state,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Being a king, he trusted his liege-lord", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would yield him this large honour all the more;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So prayed him well to accept this cloth of gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In token of true heart and fealty.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Arthur cried to rend the cloth, to rend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In pieces, and so cast it on the hearth.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "An oak-tree smouldered there. “The goodly knight!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What! shall the shield of Mark stand among these?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For, midway down the side of that long hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A stately pile⁠—whereof along the front,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some blazoned, some but carven, and some blank,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There ran a treble range of stony shields⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rose, and high-arching overbrowed the hearth.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And under every shield a knight was named:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For this was Arthur’s custom in his hall;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When some good knight had done one noble deed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His arms were carven only; but if twain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His arms were blazoned also; but if none,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The shield was blank and bare without a sign", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saving the name beneath; and Gareth saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The shield of Gawain blazoned rich and bright,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Modred’s blank as death; and Arthur cried", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To rend the cloth and cast it on the hearth.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“More like are we to reave him of his crown", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than make him knight because men call him king.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The kings we found, ye know we stayed their hands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From war among themselves, but left them kings;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of whom were any bounteous, merciful,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Truth-speaking, brave, good livers, them we enrolled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among us, and they sit within our hall.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But as Mark hath tarnished the great name of king,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As Mark would sully the low state of churl:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, seeing he hath sent us cloth of gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Return, and meet, and hold him from our eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest we should lap him up in cloth of lead,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Silenced forever⁠—craven⁠—a man of plots,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Craft, poisonous counsels, wayside ambushings⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No fault of thine: let Kay the seneschal", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Look to thy wants, and send thee satisfied⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Accursed, who strikes nor lets the hand be seen!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And many another suppliant crying came", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With noise of ravage wrought by beast and man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And evermore a knight would ride away.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Last, Gareth leaning both hands heavily", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down on the shoulders of the twain, his men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Approached between them toward the King, and asked,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“A boon, Sir King (his voice was all ashamed),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For see ye not how weak and hungerworn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I seem⁠—leaning on these? grant me to serve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For meat and drink among thy kitchen-knaves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A twelvemonth and a day, nor seek my name.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hereafter I will fight.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To him the King,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“A goodly youth and worth a goodlier boon!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But so thou wilt no goodlier, then must Kay,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The master of the meats and drinks, be thine.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "He rose and past; then Kay, a man of mien", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wan-sallow as the plant that feels itself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Root-bitten by white lichen,", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Lo ye now!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "This fellow hath broken from some Abbey, where,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "God wot, he had not beef and brewis enow,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "However that might chance! but an he work,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Like any pigeon will I cram his crop,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And sleeker shall he shine than any hog.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then Lancelot standing near, “Sir Seneschal,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sleuth-hound thou knowest, and gray, and all the hounds;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A horse thou knowest, a man thou dost not know:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Broad brows and fair, a fluent hair and fine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High nose, a nostril large and fine, and hands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Large, fair and fine!⁠—Some young lad’s mystery⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But, or from sheepcot or king’s hall, the boy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is noble-natured. Treat him with all grace,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest he should come to shame thy judging of him.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Kay, “What murmurest thou of mystery?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Think ye this fellow will poison the King’s dish?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nay, for he spake too fool-like: mystery!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tut, an the lad were noble, he had asked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For horse and armour: fair and fine, forsooth!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Fine-face, Sir Fair-hands? but see thou to it", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That thine own fineness, Lancelot, some fine day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Undo thee not⁠—and leave my man to me.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So Gareth all for glory underwent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The sooty yoke of kitchen-vassalage;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ate with young lads his portion by the door,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And couched at night with grimy kitchen-knaves.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Lancelot ever spake him pleasantly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But Kay the seneschal, who loved him not,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would hustle and harry him, and labour him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beyond his comrade of the hearth, and set", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To turn the broach, draw water, or hew wood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or grosser tasks; and Gareth bowed himself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With all obedience to the King, and wrought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All kind of service with a noble ease", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That graced the lowliest act in doing it.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And when the thralls had talk among themselves,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And one would praise the love that linkt the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Lancelot⁠—how the King had saved his life", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In battle twice, and Lancelot once the King’s⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For Lancelot was the first in Tournament,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But Arthur mightiest on the battle-field⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gareth was glad. Or if some other told,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How once the wandering forester at dawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far over the blue tarns and hazy seas,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On Caer-Eryri’s highest found the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A naked babe, of whom the Prophet spake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“He passes to the Isle Avilion,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He passes and is healed and cannot die”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gareth was glad. But if their talk were foul,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then would he whistle rapid as any lark,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or carol some old roundelay, and so loud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That first they mocked, but, after, reverenced him.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or Gareth telling some prodigious tale", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of knights, who sliced a red life-bubbling way", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through twenty folds of twisted dragon, held", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All in a gap-mouthed circle his good mates", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lying or sitting round him, idle hands,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Charmed; till Sir Kay, the seneschal, would come", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blustering upon them, like a sudden wind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among dead leaves, and drive them all apart.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or when the thralls had sport among themselves,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So there were any trial of mastery,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He, by two yards in casting bar or stone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was counted best; and if there chanced a joust,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So that Sir Kay nodded him leave to go,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would hurry thither, and when he saw the knights", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Clash like the coming and retiring wave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And the spear spring, and good horse reel, the boy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was half beyond himself for ecstasy.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So for a month he wrought among the thralls;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But in the weeks that followed, the good Queen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Repentant of the word she made him swear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And saddening in her childless castle, sent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Between the in-crescent and de-crescent moon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arms for her son, and loosed him from his vow.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "This, Gareth hearing from a squire of Lot", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With whom he used to play at tourney once,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When both were children, and in lonely haunts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would scratch a ragged oval on the sand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And each at either dash from either end⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shame never made girl redder than Gareth joy.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He laughed; he sprang. “Out of the smoke, at once", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I leap from Satan’s foot to Peter’s knee⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These news be mine, none other’s⁠—nay, the King’s⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Descend into the city:” whereon he sought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The King alone, and found, and told him all.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“I have staggered thy strong Gawain in a tilt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For pastime; yea, he said it: joust can I.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Make me thy knight⁠—in secret! let my name", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be hidden, and give me the first quest, I spring", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like flame from ashes.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Here the King’s calm eye", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Fell on, and checked, and made him flush, and bow", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Lowly, to kiss his hand, who answered him,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Son, the good mother let me know thee here,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And sent her wish that I would yield thee thine.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Make thee my knight? my knights are sworn to vows", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of utter hardihood, utter gentleness,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And, loving, utter faithfulness in love,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And uttermost obedience to the King.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then Gareth, lightly springing from his knees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“My King, for hardihood I can promise thee.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For uttermost obedience make demand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of whom ye gave me to, the Seneschal,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No mellow master of the meats and drinks!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And as for love, God wot, I love not yet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But love I shall, God willing.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And the King", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Make thee my knight in secret? yea, but he,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Our noblest brother, and our truest man,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And one with me in all, he needs must know.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“Let Lancelot know, my King, let Lancelot know,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy noblest and thy truest!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And the King⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“But wherefore would ye men should wonder at you?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Nay, rather for the sake of me, their King,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And the deed’s sake my knighthood do the deed,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Than to be noised of.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Merrily Gareth asked,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Have I not earned my cake in baking of it?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Let be my name until I make my name!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "My deeds will speak: it is but for a day.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "So with a kindly hand on Gareth’s arm", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Smiled the great King, and half-unwillingly", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Loving his lusty youthhood yielded to him.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then, after summoning Lancelot privily,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“I have given him the first quest: he is not proven.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Look therefore when he calls for this in hall,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thou get to horse and follow him far away.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Cover the lions on thy shield, and see", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Far as thou mayest, he be nor ta’en nor slain.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then that same day there past into the hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A damsel of high lineage, and a brow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May-blossom, and a cheek of apple-blossom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hawk-eyes; and lightly was her slender nose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tip-tilted like the petal of a flower;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She into hall past with her page and cried,", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O King, for thou hast driven the foe without,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "See to the foe within! bridge, ford, beset", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By bandits, everyone that owns a tower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Lord for half a league. Why sit ye there?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rest would I not, Sir King, an I were king,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till even the lonest hold were all as free", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From cursed bloodshed, as thine altar-cloth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From that best blood it is a sin to spill.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Comfort thyself,” said Arthur. “I nor mine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rest: so my knighthood keep the vows they swore,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The wastest moorland of our realm shall be", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Safe, damsel, as the centre of this hall.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What is thy name? thy need?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“My name?” she said⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Lynette my name; noble; my need, a knight", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To combat for my sister, Lyonors,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A lady of high lineage, of great lands,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And comely, yea, and comelier than myself.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "She lives in Castle Perilous: a river", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Runs in three loops about her living-place;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And o’er it are three passings, and three knights", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Defend the passings, brethren, and a fourth", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And of that four the mightiest, holds her stayed", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In her own castle, and so besieges her", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To break her will, and make her wed with him:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And but delays his purport till thou send", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To do the battle with him, thy chief man", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Sir Lancelot whom he trusts to overthrow,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then wed, with glory: but she will not wed", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Save whom she loveth, or a holy life.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Now therefore have I come for Lancelot.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then Arthur mindful of Sir Gareth asked,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Damsel, ye know this Order lives to crush", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All wrongers of the Realm. But say, these four,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who be they? What the fashion of the men?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“They be of foolish fashion, O Sir King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fashion of that old knight-errantry", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who ride abroad, and do but what they will;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Courteous or bestial from the moment, such", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As have nor law nor king; and three of these", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Proud in their fantasy call themselves the Day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Morning-Star, and Noon-Sun, and Evening-Star,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Being strong fools; and never a whit more wise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fourth, who alway rideth armed in black,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A huge man-beast of boundless savagery.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He names himself the Night and oftener Death,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wears a helmet mounted with a skull,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And bears a skeleton figured on his arms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To show that who may slay or scape the three,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Slain by himself, shall enter endless night.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all these four be fools, but mighty men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And therefore am I come for Lancelot.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Hereat Sir Gareth called from where he rose,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A head with kindling eyes above the throng,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“A boon, Sir King⁠—this quest!” then⁠—for he marked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Kay near him groaning like a wounded bull⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Yea, King, thou knowest thy kitchen-knave am I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mighty through thy meats and drinks am I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And I can topple over a hundred such.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy promise, King,” and Arthur glancing at him,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brought down a momentary brow. “Rough, sudden,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And pardonable, worthy to be knight⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Go therefore,” and all hearers were amazed.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But on the damsel’s forehead shame, pride, wrath", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Slew the May-white: she lifted either arm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fie on thee, King! I asked for thy chief knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thou hast given me but a kitchen-knave.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then ere a man in hall could stay her, turned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fled down the lane of access to the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Took horse, descended the slope street, and past", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The weird white gate, and paused without, beside", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The field of tourney, murmuring “kitchen-knave.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Now two great entries opened from the hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At one end one, that gave upon a range", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of level pavement where the King would pace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At sunrise, gazing over plain and wood;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And down from this a lordly stairway sloped", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till lost in blowing trees and tops of towers;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And out by this main doorway past the King.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But one was counter to the hearth, and rose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High that the highest-crested helm could ride", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Therethrough nor graze: and by this entry fled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The damsel in her wrath, and on to this", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Gareth strode, and saw without the door", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "King Arthur’s gift, the worth of half a town,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A warhorse of the best, and near it stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The two that out of north had followed him:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This bare a maiden shield, a casque; that held", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The horse, the spear; whereat Sir Gareth loosed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A cloak that dropt from collar-bone to heel,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A cloth of roughest web, and cast it down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And from it like a fuel-smothered fire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That lookt half-dead, brake bright, and flashed as those", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dull-coated things, that making slide apart", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their dusk wing-cases, all beneath there burns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A jewelled harness, ere they pass and fly.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So Gareth ere he parted flashed in arms.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then as he donned the helm, and took the shield", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mounted horse and graspt a spear, of grain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Storm-strengthened on a windy site, and tipt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With trenchant steel, around him slowly prest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The people, while from out of kitchen came", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The thralls in throng, and seeing who had worked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lustier than any, and whom they could but love,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mounted in arms, threw up their caps and cried,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“God bless the King, and all his fellowship!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And on through lanes of shouting Gareth rode", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down the slope street, and past without the gate.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So Gareth past with joy; but as the cur", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pluckt from the cur he fights with, ere his cause", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be cooled by fighting, follows, being named,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His owner, but remembers all, and growls", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Remembering, so Sir Kay beside the door", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Muttered in scorn of Gareth whom he used", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To harry and hustle.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Bound upon a quest", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With horse and arms⁠—the King hath past his time⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "My scullion knave! Thralls to your work again,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "For an your fire be low ye kindle mine!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Will there be dawn in West and eve in East?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Begone!⁠—my knave!⁠—belike and like enow", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Some old head-blow not heeded in his youth", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "So shook his wits they wander in his prime⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Crazed! How the villain lifted up his voice,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Nor shamed to bawl himself a kitchen-knave.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Tut: he was tame and meek enow with me,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Till peacocked up with Lancelot’s noticing.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Well⁠—I will after my loud knave, and learn", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Whether he know me for his master yet.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Out of the smoke he came, and so my lance", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hold, by God’s grace, he shall into the mire⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thence, if the King awaken from his craze,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Into the smoke again.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "But Lancelot said,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Kay, wherefore wilt thou go against the King,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "For that did never he whereon ye rail,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But ever meekly served the King in thee?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Abide: take counsel; for this lad is great", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And lusty, and knowing both of lance and sword.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Tut, tell not me,” said Kay, “ye are overfine", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To mar stout knaves with foolish courtesies:”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then mounted, on through silent faces rode", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Down the slope city, and out beyond the gate.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "But by the field of tourney lingering yet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Muttered the damsel, “Wherefore did the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Scorn me? for, were Sir Lancelot lackt, at least", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He might have yielded to me one of those", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who tilt for lady’s love and glory here,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rather than⁠—O sweet heaven! O fie upon him⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His kitchen-knave.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom Sir Gareth drew", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "(And there were none but few goodlier than he)", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Shining in arms, “Damsel, the quest is mine.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Lead, and I follow.” She thereat, as one", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "That smells a foul-fleshed agaric in the holt,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And deems it carrion of some woodland thing,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Or shrew, or weasel, nipt her slender nose", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With petulant thumb and finger, shrilling, “Hence!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Avoid, thou smellest all of kitchen-grease.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And look who comes behind,” for there was Kay.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Knowest thou not me? thy master? I am Kay.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "We lack thee by the hearth.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth to him,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Master no more! too well I know thee, ay⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The most ungentle knight in Arthur’s hall.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Have at thee then,” said Kay: they shocked, and Kay", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Fell shoulder-slipt, and Gareth cried again,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Lead, and I follow,” and fast away she fled.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "But after sod and shingle ceased to fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Behind her, and the heart of her good horse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was nigh to burst with violence of the beat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perforce she stayed, and overtaken spoke.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“What doest thou, scullion, in my fellowship?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deem’st thou that I accept thee aught the more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or love thee better, that by some device", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full cowardly, or by mere unhappiness,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou hast overthrown and slain thy master⁠—thou!⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dish-washer and broach-turner, loon!⁠—to me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou smellest all of kitchen as before.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Damsel,” Sir Gareth answered gently, “say", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whate’er ye will, but whatsoe’er ye say,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I leave not till I finish this fair quest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or die therefore.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Ay, wilt thou finish it?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Sweet lord, how like a noble knight he talks!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The listening rogue hath caught the manner of it.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But, knave, anon thou shalt be met with, knave,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And then by such a one that thou for all", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The kitchen brewis that was ever supt", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Shalt not once dare to look him in the face.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“I shall assay,” said Gareth with a smile", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That maddened her, and away she flashed again", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down the long avenues of a boundless wood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Gareth following was again beknaved.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Sir Kitchen-knave, I have missed the only way", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where Arthur’s men are set along the wood;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The wood is nigh as full of thieves as leaves:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If both be slain, I am rid of thee; but yet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Scullion, canst thou use that spit of thine?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fight, an thou canst: I have missed the only way.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So till the dusk that followed evensong", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rode on the two, reviler and reviled;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then after one long slope was mounted, saw,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bowl-shaped, through tops of many thousand pines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A gloomy-gladed hollow slowly sink", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To westward⁠—in the deeps whereof a mere,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Round as the red eye of an Eagle-owl,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under the half-dead sunset glared; and shouts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ascended, and there brake a servingman", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flying from out of the black wood, and crying,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“They have bound my lord to cast him in the mere.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then Gareth, “Bound am I to right the wronged,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But straitlier bound am I to bide with thee.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And when the damsel spake contemptuously,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lead, and I follow,” Gareth cried again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Follow, I lead!” so down among the pines", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He plunged; and there, blackshadowed nigh the mere,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mid-thigh-deep in bulrushes and reed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saw six tall men haling a seventh along,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A stone about his neck to drown him in it.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Three with good blows he quieted, but three", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fled through the pines; and Gareth loosed the stone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From off his neck, then in the mere beside", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tumbled it; oilily bubbled up the mere.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Last, Gareth loosed his bonds and on free feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Set him, a stalwart Baron, Arthur’s friend.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Well that ye came, or else these caitiff rogues", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had wreaked themselves on me; good cause is theirs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To hate me, for my wont hath ever been", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To catch my thief, and then like vermin here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Drown him, and with a stone about his neck;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And under this wan water many of them", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lie rotting, but at night let go the stone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And rise, and flickering in a grimly light", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dance on the mere. Good now, ye have saved a life", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Worth somewhat as the cleanser of this wood.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fain would I reward thee worshipfully.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What guerdon will ye?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Gareth sharply spake,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“None! for the deed’s sake have I done the deed,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In uttermost obedience to the King.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But wilt thou yield this damsel harbourage?”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Whereat the Baron saying, “I well believe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You be of Arthur’s Table,” a light laugh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Broke from Lynette, “Ay, truly of a truth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in a sort, being Arthur’s kitchen-knave!⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But deem not I accept thee aught the more,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Scullion, for running sharply with thy spit", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down on a rout of craven foresters.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A thresher with his flail had scattered them.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nay⁠—for thou smellest of the kitchen still.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But an this lord will yield us harbourage,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Well.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So she spake. A league beyond the wood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All in a full-fair manor and a rich,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His towers where that day a feast had been", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Held in high hall, and many a viand left,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And many a costly cate, received the three.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And there they placed a peacock in his pride", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before the damsel, and the Baron set", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gareth beside her, but at once she rose.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Meseems, that here is much discourtesy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Setting this knave, Lord Baron, at my side.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hear me⁠—this morn I stood in Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And prayed the King would grant me Lancelot", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To fight the brotherhood of Day and Night⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The last a monster unsubduable", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of any save of him for whom I called⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Suddenly bawls this frontless kitchen-knave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘The quest is mine; thy kitchen-knave am I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mighty through thy meats and drinks am I.’", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then Arthur all at once gone mad replies,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Go therefore,’ and so gives the quest to him⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Him⁠—here⁠—a villain fitter to stick swine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than ride abroad redressing women’s wrong,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or sit beside a noble gentlewoman.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then half-ashamed and part-amazed, the lord", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now looked at one and now at other, left", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The damsel by the peacock in his pride,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, seating Gareth at another board,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sat down beside him, ate and then began.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Friend, whether thou be kitchen-knave, or not,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or whether it be the maiden’s fantasy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And whether she be mad, or else the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or both or neither, or thyself be mad,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I ask not: but thou strikest a strong stroke,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For strong thou art and goodly therewithal,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And saver of my life; and therefore now,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For here be mighty men to joust with, weigh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether thou wilt not with thy damsel back", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To crave again Sir Lancelot of the King.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy pardon; I but speak for thine avail,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The saver of my life.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth said,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Full pardon, but I follow up the quest,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Despite of Day and Night and Death and Hell.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "So when, next morn, the lord whose life he saved", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had, some brief space, conveyed them on their way", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And left them with God-speed, Sir Gareth spake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lead, and I follow.” Haughtily she replied.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“I fly no more: I allow thee for an hour.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lion and stout have isled together, knave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In time of flood. Nay, furthermore, methinks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some ruth is mine for thee. Back wilt thou, fool?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For hard by here is one will overthrow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And slay thee: then will I to court again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And shame the King for only yielding me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My champion from the ashes of his hearth.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom Sir Gareth answered courteously,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Say thou thy say, and I will do my deed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Allow me for mine hour, and thou wilt find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My fortunes all as fair as hers who lay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the ashes and wedded the King’s son.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then to the shore of one of those long loops", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wherethrough the serpent river coiled, they came.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rough-thicketed were the banks and steep; the stream", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full, narrow; this a bridge of single arc", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Took at a leap; and on the further side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arose a silk pavilion, gay with gold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In streaks and rays, and all Lent-lily in hue,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save that the dome was purple, and above,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Crimson, a slender banneret fluttering.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And therebefore the lawless warrior paced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unarmed, and calling, “Damsel, is this he,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The champion thou hast brought from Arthur’s hall?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For whom we let thee pass.” “Nay, nay,” she said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Sir Morning-Star. The King in utter scorn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of thee and thy much folly hath sent thee here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His kitchen-knave: and look thou to thyself:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "See that he fall not on thee suddenly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And slay thee unarmed: he is not knight but knave.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then at his call, “O daughters of the Dawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And servants of the Morning-Star, approach,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arm me,” from out the silken curtain-folds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bare-footed and bare-headed three fair girls", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In gilt and rosy raiment came: their feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In dewy grasses glistened; and the hair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All over glanced with dewdrop or with gem", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like sparkles in the stone Avanturine.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These armed him in blue arms, and gave a shield", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blue also, and thereon the morning star.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Gareth silent gazed upon the knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who stood a moment, ere his horse was brought,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Glorying; and in the stream beneath him, shone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Immingled with Heaven’s azure waveringly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The gay pavilion and the naked feet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His arms, the rosy raiment, and the star.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then she that watched him, “Wherefore stare ye so?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou shakest in thy fear: there yet is time:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flee down the valley before he get to horse.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who will cry shame? Thou art not knight but knave.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Said Gareth, “Damsel, whether knave or knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far liefer had I fight a score of times", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than hear thee so missay me and revile.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fair words were best for him who fights for thee;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But truly foul are better, for they send", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That strength of anger through mine arms, I know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That I shall overthrow him.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And he that bore", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The star, when mounted, cried from o’er the bridge,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“A kitchen-knave, and sent in scorn of me!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Such fight not I, but answer scorn with scorn.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "For this were shame to do him further wrong", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Than set him on his feet, and take his horse", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And arms, and so return him to the King.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Come, therefore, leave thy lady lightly, knave.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Avoid: for it beseemeth not a knave", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To ride with such a lady.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“Dog, thou liest.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I spring from loftier lineage than thine own.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "He spake; and all at fiery speed the two", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Shocked on the central bridge, and either spear", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Bent but not brake, and either knight at once,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hurled as a stone from out of a catapult", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Beyond his horse’s crupper and the bridge,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Fell, as if dead; but quickly rose and drew,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And Gareth lashed so fiercely with his brand", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "He drave his enemy backward down the bridge,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The damsel crying, “Well-stricken, kitchen-knave!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Till Gareth’s shield was cloven; but one stroke", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Laid him that clove it grovelling on the ground.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then cried the fallen, “Take not my life: I yield.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Gareth, “So this damsel ask it of me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Good⁠—I accord it easily as a grace.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She reddening, “Insolent scullion: I of thee?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I bound to thee for any favour asked!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Then he shall die.” And Gareth there unlaced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His helmet as to slay him, but she shrieked,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Be not so hardy, scullion, as to slay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One nobler than thyself.” “Damsel, thy charge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is an abounding pleasure to me. Knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy life is thine at her command. Arise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And quickly pass to Arthur’s hall, and say", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His kitchen-knave hath sent thee. See thou crave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His pardon for thy breaking of his laws.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Myself, when I return, will plead for thee.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy shield is mine⁠—farewell; and, damsel, thou,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lead, and I follow.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And fast away she fled.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then when he came upon her, spake, “Methought,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Knave, when I watched thee striking on the bridge", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The savour of thy kitchen came upon me", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A little faintlier: but the wind hath changed:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I scent it twenty-fold.” And then she sang,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“ ‘O morning star’ (not that tall felon there", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Whom thou by sorcery or unhappiness", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Or some device, hast foully overthrown),", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "‘O morning star that smilest in the blue,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "O star, my morning dream hath proven true,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Smile sweetly, thou! my love hath smiled on me.’", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“But thou begone, take counsel, and away,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For hard by here is one that guards a ford⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The second brother in their fool’s parable⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will pay thee all thy wages, and to boot.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Care not for shame: thou art not knight but knave.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "To whom Sir Gareth answered, laughingly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Parables? Hear a parable of the knave.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When I was kitchen-knave among the rest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fierce was the hearth, and one of my co-mates", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Owned a rough dog, to whom he cast his coat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Guard it,’ and there was none to meddle with it.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And such a coat art thou, and thee the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gave me to guard, and such a dog am I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To worry, and not to flee⁠—and⁠—knight or knave⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The knave that doth thee service as full knight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is all as good, meseems, as any knight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Toward thy sister’s freeing.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Ay, Sir Knave!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Ay, knave, because thou strikest as a knight,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Being but knave, I hate thee all the more.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“Fair damsel, you should worship me the more,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That, being but knave, I throw thine enemies.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Ay, ay,” she said, “but thou shalt meet thy match.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So when they touched the second river-loop,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Huge on a huge red horse, and all in mail", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Burnished to blinding, shone the Noonday Sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beyond a raging shallow. As if the flower,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That blows a globe of after arrowlets,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ten thousand-fold had grown, flashed the fierce shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All sun; and Gareth’s eyes had flying blots", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before them when he turned from watching him.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He from beyond the roaring shallow roared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“What doest thou, brother, in my marches here?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And she athwart the shallow shrilled again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Here is a kitchen-knave from Arthur’s hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath overthrown thy brother, and hath his arms.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Ugh!” cried the Sun, and visoring up a red", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And cipher face of rounded foolishness,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pushed horse across the foamings of the ford,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom Gareth met midstream: no room was there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For lance or tourney-skill: four strokes they struck", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With sword, and these were mighty; the new knight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had fear he might be shamed; but as the Sun", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaved up a ponderous arm to strike the fifth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The hoof of his horse slipt in the stream, the stream", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Descended, and the Sun was washed away.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Gareth laid his lance athwart the ford;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So drew him home; but he that fought no more,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As being all bone-battered on the rock,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yielded; and Gareth sent him to the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Myself when I return will plead for thee.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lead, and I follow.” Quietly she led.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Hath not the good wind, damsel, changed again?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Nay, not a point: nor art thou victor here.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There lies a ridge of slate across the ford;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His horse thereon stumbled⁠—ay, for I saw it.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O Sun’ (not this strong fool whom thou, Sir Knave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hast overthrown through mere unhappiness),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘O Sun, that wakenest all to bliss or pain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O moon, that layest all to sleep again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shine sweetly: twice my love hath smiled on me.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“What knowest thou of lovesong or of love?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nay, nay, God wot, so thou wert nobly born,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou hast a pleasant presence. Yea, perchance⁠—", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O dewy flowers that open to the sun,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O dewy flowers that close when day is done,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blow sweetly: twice my love hath smiled on me.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“What knowest thou of flowers, except, belike,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To garnish meats with? hath not our good King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who lent me thee, the flower of kitchendom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A foolish love for flowers? what stick ye round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The pasty? wherewithal deck the boar’s head?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flowers? nay, the boar hath rosemaries and bay.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O birds, that warble to the morning sky,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O birds that warble as the day goes by,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sing sweetly: twice my love hath smiled on me.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“What knowest thou of birds, lark, mavis, merle,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Linnet? what dream ye when they utter forth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May-music growing with the growing light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their sweet sun-worship? these be for the snare", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(So runs thy fancy) these be for the spit,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Larding and basting. See thou have not now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Larded thy last, except thou turn and fly.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There stands the third fool of their allegory.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For there beyond a bridge of treble bow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All in a rose-red from the west, and all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Naked it seemed, and glowing in the broad", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deep-dimpled current underneath, the knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That named himself the Star of Evening, stood.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth, “Wherefore waits the madman there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Naked in open dayshine?” “Nay,” she cried,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Not naked, only wrapt in hardened skins", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That fit him like his own; and so ye cleave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His armour off him, these will turn the blade.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then the third brother shouted o’er the bridge,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“O brother-star, why shine ye here so low?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy ward is higher up: but have ye slain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The damsel’s champion?” and the damsel cried,", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“No star of thine, but shot from Arthur’s heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With all disaster unto thine and thee!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For both thy younger brethren have gone down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before this youth; and so wilt thou, Sir Star;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Art thou not old?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Old, damsel, old and hard,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Old, with the might and breath of twenty boys.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Said Gareth, “Old, and over-bold in brag!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But that same strength which threw the Morning Star", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Can throw the Evening.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then that other blew", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A hard and deadly note upon the horn.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Approach and arm me!” With slow steps from out", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "An old storm-beaten, russet, many-stained", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Pavilion, forth a grizzled damsel came,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And armed him in old arms, and brought a helm", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With but a drying evergreen for crest,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And gave a shield whereon the Star of Even", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Half-tarnished and half-bright, his emblem, shone.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But when it glittered o’er the saddle-bow,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "They madly hurled together on the bridge;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And Gareth overthrew him, lighted, drew,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "There met him drawn, and overthrew him again,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But up like fire he started: and as oft", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "As Gareth brought him grovelling on his knees,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "So many a time he vaulted up again;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Till Gareth panted hard, and his great heart,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Foredooming all his trouble was in vain,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Laboured within him, for he seemed as one", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "That all in later, sadder age begins", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To war against ill uses of a life,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But these from all his life arise, and cry,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Thou hast made us lords, and canst not put us down!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "He half despairs; so Gareth seemed to strike", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Vainly, the damsel clamouring all the while,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Well done, knave-knight, well-stricken, O good knight-knave⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "O knave, as noble as any of all the knights⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Shame me not, shame me not. I have prophesied⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Strike, thou art worthy of the Table Round⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His arms are old, he trusts the hardened skin⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Strike⁠—strike⁠—the wind will never change again.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And Gareth hearing ever stronglier smote,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And hewed great pieces of his armour off him,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But lashed in vain against the hardened skin,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And could not wholly bring him under, more", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Than loud Southwesterns, rolling ridge on ridge,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The buoy that rides at sea, and dips and springs", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Forever; till at length Sir Gareth’s brand", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Clashed his, and brake it utterly to the hilt.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“I have thee now;” but forth that other sprang,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And, all unknightlike, writhed his wiry arms", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Around him, till he felt, despite his mail,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Strangled, but straining even his uttermost", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Cast, and so hurled him headlong o’er the bridge", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Down to the river, sink or swim, and cried,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Lead, and I follow.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "But the damsel said,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“I lead no longer; ride thou at my side;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thou art the kingliest of all kitchen-knaves.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O trefoil, sparkling on the rainy plain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O rainbow with three colours after rain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shine sweetly: thrice my love hath smiled on me.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Sir⁠—and, good faith, I fain had added⁠—Knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But that I heard thee call thyself a knave⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shamed am I that I so rebuked, reviled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Missaid thee; noble I am; and thought the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Scorned me and mine; and now thy pardon, friend,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For thou hast ever answered courteously,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wholly bold thou art, and meek withal", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As any of Arthur’s best, but, being knave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hast mazed my wit: I marvel what thou art.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Damsel,” he said, “you be not all to blame,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saving that you mistrusted our good King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would handle scorn, or yield you, asking, one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not fit to cope your quest. You said your say;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mine answer was my deed. Good sooth! I hold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He scarce is knight, yea but half-man, nor meet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To fight for gentle damsel, he, who lets", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His heart be stirred with any foolish heat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At any gentle damsel’s waywardness.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shamed? care not! thy foul sayings fought for me:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And seeing now thy words are fair, methinks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There rides no knight, not Lancelot, his great self,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath force to quell me.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Nigh upon that hour", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "When the lone hern forgets his melancholy,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Lets down his other leg, and stretching, dreams", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of goodly supper in the distant pool,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then turned the noble damsel smiling at him,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And told him of a cavern hard at hand,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Where bread and baken meats and good red wine", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of Southland, which the Lady Lyonors", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Had sent her coming champion, waited him.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Anon they past a narrow comb wherein", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where slabs of rock with figures, knights on horse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sculptured, and deckt in slowly-waning hues.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Sir Knave, my knight, a hermit once was here,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose holy hand hath fashioned on the rock", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The war of Time against the soul of man.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And yon four fools have sucked their allegory", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From these damp walls, and taken but the form.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Know ye not these?” and Gareth lookt and read⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In letters like to those the vexillary", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath left crag-carven o’er the streaming Gelt⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Phosphorus,” then “Meridies”⁠—“Hesperus”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Nox”⁠—“Mors,” beneath five figures, armed men,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Slab after slab, their faces forward all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And running down the Soul, a Shape that fled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With broken wings, torn raiment and loose hair,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For help and shelter to the hermit’s cave.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Follow the faces, and we find it. Look,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who comes behind?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For one⁠—delayed at first", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Through helping back the dislocated Kay", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To Camelot, then by what thereafter chanced,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The damsel’s headlong error through the wood⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Sir Lancelot, having swum the river-loops⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His blue shield-lions covered⁠—softly drew", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Behind the twain, and when he saw the star", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Gleam, on Sir Gareth’s turning to him, cried,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Stay, felon knight, I avenge me for my friend.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And Gareth crying pricked against the cry;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But when they closed⁠—in a moment⁠—at one touch", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of that skilled spear, the wonder of the world⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Went sliding down so easily, and fell,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "That when he found the grass within his hands", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "He laughed; the laughter jarred upon Lynette:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Harshly she asked him, “Shamed and overthrown,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And tumbled back into the kitchen-knave,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Why laugh ye? that ye blew your boast in vain?”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Nay, noble damsel, but that I, the son", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of old King Lot and good Queen Bellicent,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And victor of the bridges and the ford,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And knight of Arthur, here lie thrown by whom", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I know not, all through mere unhappiness⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Device and sorcery and unhappiness⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Out, sword; we are thrown!” And Lancelot answered, “Prince,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "O Gareth⁠—through the mere unhappiness", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of one who came to help thee, not to harm,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Lancelot, and all as glad to find thee whole,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "As on the day when Arthur knighted him.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then Gareth, “Thou⁠—Lancelot!⁠—thine the hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That threw me? An some chance to mar the boast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy brethren of thee make⁠—which could not chance⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had sent thee down before a lesser spear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shamed had I been, and sad⁠—O Lancelot⁠—thou!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Whereat the maiden, petulant, “Lancelot,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why came ye not, when called? and wherefore now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Come ye, not called? I gloried in my knave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who being still rebuked, would answer still", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Courteous as any knight⁠—but now, if knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The marvel dies, and leaves me fooled and tricked,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And only wondering wherefore played upon:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And doubtful whether I and mine be scorned.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where should be truth if not in Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Arthur’s presence? Knight, knave, prince and fool,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I hate thee and forever.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Lancelot said,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Blessed be thou, Sir Gareth! knight art thou", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To the King’s best wish. O damsel, be you wise", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To call him shamed, who is but overthrown?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thrown have I been, nor once, but many a time.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Victor from vanquished issues at the last,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And overthrower from being overthrown.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With sword we have not striven; and thy good horse", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And thou are weary; yet not less I felt", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thy manhood through that wearied lance of thine.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Well hast thou done; for all the stream is freed,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And thou hast wreaked his justice on his foes,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And when reviled, hast answered graciously,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And makest merry when overthrown. Prince, Knight", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hail, Knight and Prince, and of our Table Round!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "And then when turning to Lynette he told", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The tale of Gareth, petulantly she said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Ay well⁠—ay well⁠—for worse than being fooled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of others, is to fool one’s self. A cave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Lancelot, is hard by, with meats and drinks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And forage for the horse, and flint for fire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But all about it flies a honeysuckle.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seek, till we find.” And when they sought and found,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Gareth drank and ate, and all his life", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Past into sleep; on whom the maiden gazed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Sound sleep be thine! sound cause to sleep hast thou.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wake lusty! Seem I not as tender to him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As any mother? Ay, but such a one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As all day long hath rated at her child,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And vext his day, but blesses him asleep⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Good lord, how sweetly smells the honeysuckle", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the hushed night, as if the world were one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of utter peace, and love, and gentleness!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O Lancelot, Lancelot”⁠—and she clapt her hands⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Full merry am I to find my goodly knave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is knight and noble. See now, sworn have I,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Else yon black felon had not let me pass,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To bring thee back to do the battle with him.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus an thou goest, he will fight thee first;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who doubts thee victor? so will my knight-knave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Miss the full flower of this accomplishment.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Said Lancelot, “Peradventure he, you name,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May know my shield. Let Gareth, an he will,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Change his for mine, and take my charger, fresh,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not to be spurred, loving the battle as well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As he that rides him.” “Lancelot-like,” she said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Courteous in this, Lord Lancelot, as in all.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Gareth, wakening, fiercely clutched the shield;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Ramp ye lance-splintering lions, on whom all spears", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Are rotten sticks! ye seem agape to roar!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yea, ramp and roar at leaving of your lord!⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Care not, good beasts, so well I care for you.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O noble Lancelot, from my hold on these", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Streams virtue⁠—fire⁠—through one that will not shame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Even the shadow of Lancelot under shield.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hence: let us go.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Silent the silent field", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "They traversed. Arthur’s harp though summer-wan,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In counter motion to the clouds, allured", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The glance of Gareth dreaming on his liege.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A star shot: “Lo,” said Gareth, “the foe falls!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "An owl whoopt: “Hark the victor pealing there!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Suddenly she that rode upon his left", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Clung to the shield that Lancelot lent him, crying,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Yield, yield him this again: ’tis he must fight:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I curse the tongue that all through yesterday", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Reviled thee, and hath wrought on Lancelot now", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To lend thee horse and shield: wonders ye have done;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Miracles ye cannot: here is glory enow", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In having flung the three: I see thee maimed,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Mangled: I swear thou canst not fling the fourth.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“And wherefore, damsel? tell me all ye know.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "You cannot scare me; nor rough face, or voice,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brute bulk of limb, or boundless savagery", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Appal me from the quest.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Nay, Prince,” she cried,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“God wot, I never looked upon the face,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Seeing he never rides abroad by day;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But watched him have I like a phantom pass", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Chilling the night: nor have I heard the voice.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Always he made his mouthpiece of a page", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Who came and went, and still reported him", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "As closing in himself the strength of ten,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And when his anger tare him, massacring", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Man, woman, lad and girl⁠—yea, the soft babe!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Some hold that he hath swallowed infant flesh,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Monster! O Prince, I went for Lancelot first,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The quest is Lancelot’s: give him back the shield.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Said Gareth laughing, “An he fight for this,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Belike he wins it as the better man:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus⁠—and not else!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Lancelot on him urged", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "All the devisings of their chivalry", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "When one might meet a mightier than himself;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "How best to manage horse, lance, sword and shield,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And so fill up the gap where force might fail", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With skill and fineness. Instant were his words.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then Gareth, “Here be rules. I know but one⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To dash against mine enemy and win.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet have I seen thee victor in the joust,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And seen thy way.” “Heaven help thee,” sighed Lynette.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then for a space, and under cloud that grew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thunder-gloom palling all stars, they rode", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In converse till she made her palfrey halt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lifted an arm, and softly whispered, “There.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all the three were silent seeing, pitched", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beside the Castle Perilous on flat field,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A huge pavilion like a mountain peak", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sunder the glooming crimson on the marge,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Black, with black banner, and a long black horn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beside it hanging; which Sir Gareth graspt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And so, before the two could hinder him,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sent all his heart and breath through all the horn.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Echoed the walls; a light twinkled; anon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came lights and lights, and once again he blew;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereon were hollow tramplings up and down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And muffled voices heard, and shadows past;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till high above him, circled with her maids,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Lady Lyonors at a window stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beautiful among lights, and waving to him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "White hands, and courtesy; but when the Prince", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Three times had blown⁠—after long hush⁠—at last⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The huge pavilion slowly yielded up,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through those black foldings, that which housed therein.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High on a night-black horse, in night-black arms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With white breast-bone, and barren ribs of Death,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And crowned with fleshless laughter⁠—some ten steps⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the half-light⁠—through the dim dawn⁠—advanced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The monster, and then paused, and spake no word.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But Gareth spake and all indignantly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fool, for thou hast, men say, the strength of ten,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Canst thou not trust the limbs thy God hath given,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But must, to make the terror of thee more,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Trick thyself out in ghastly imageries", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of that which Life hath done with, and the clod,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Less dull than thou, will hide with mantling flowers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As if for pity?” But he spake no word;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which set the horror higher: a maiden swooned;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Lady Lyonors wrung her hands and wept,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As doomed to be the bride of Night and Death;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Gareth’s head prickled beneath his helm;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And even Sir Lancelot through his warm blood felt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ice strike, and all that marked him were aghast.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "At once Sir Lancelot’s charger fiercely neighed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Death’s dark warhorse bounded forward with him.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then those that did not blink the terror, saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That Death was cast to ground, and slowly rose.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But with one stroke Sir Gareth split the skull.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Half fell to right and half to left and lay.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then with a stronger buffet he clove the helm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As throughly as the skull; and out from this", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Issued the bright face of a blooming boy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fresh as a flower new-born, and crying, “Knight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Slay me not: my three brethren bad me do it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To make a horror all about the house,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And stay the world from Lady Lyonors.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They never dreamed the passes would be past.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Answered Sir Gareth graciously to one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not many a moon his younger, “My fair child,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What madness made thee challenge the chief knight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Arthur’s hall?” “Fair Sir, they bad me do it.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They hate the King, and Lancelot, the King’s friend,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They hoped to slay him somewhere on the stream,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They never dreamed the passes could be past.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then sprang the happier day from underground;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Lady Lyonors and her house, with dance", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And revel and song, made merry over Death,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As being after all their foolish fears", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And horrors only proven a blooming boy.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So large mirth lived and Gareth won the quest.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And he that told the tale in older times", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Says that Sir Gareth wedded Lyonors,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But he, that told it later, says Lynette.", "indent": 0 } ] ] }