Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SIR LAUNFAL, by THOMAS CHESTER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SIR LAUNFAL, by                    
First Line: In the days when arthur bold / rule in english land did hold
Last Line: Send us blessings free!
Subject(s): Fairy Tales


IN the days when Arthur bold
Rule in English land did hold
Such a feat befell
That men set it in a Lay,
Hight "Sir Launfal," e'en to-day
Ye may know it well.
Doughty Arthur did some while,
Hold his court in fair Carlisle,
And, in solace fair,
Valiant knights with him were found,
Heroes of the Table Round,
Better knights were ne'er.

Perceval, and good Gawain,
Gaheries, and Agravain,
Lancelot du Lake;
Kay the seneschal, Ywain,
Who in fiercest fight on plain
Stern defence could make;
King Banboort, King Bors, his mate,
(Of these twain the praise was great)
None their peer might find;
Sir Galafre, Sir Launfale, --
Of this last a noble tale
Here I'ld bring to mind.

Arthur had a knight, I ween,
(Many a year at court he'd been,)
Launfal, was he hight;
Gift nor largesse did he spare,
Gold and silver, raiment fair,
Gave to squire and knight.
For his gifts and bounty free
Steward unto the king was he
Fourteen years, forthright;
Nay, of all the Table Round
None so free of hand was found
Both by day and night.

Then it chanced, in the tenth year,
Merlin, who was Arthur's seer,
Bade the king to ride
Unto Ryon, Ireland's king,
Thence his daughter fair to bring,
Gwennore, as his bride.
Arthur brought her home, I wot,
But Sir Launfal liked her not,
Nor his comrades tried,
Such repute the lady bare
Lovers had she, and to spare,
Her good lord beside.

They were wedded, so men say,
On the Feast of Whitsunday, --
Many a prince of pride,
And more folk than man may tell
To that bridal came as well
From lands far and wide.
Each who in that hall was set
Bishop was, or Baronet,
(Naught in heart I'ld hide --)
Tho' men sat not equal there
Service rich and good they bare
Certes, to each side.

When the lords had eaten all,
And the cloths were drawn in hall,
E'en as ye may hear,
Butlers bare, with one accord,
Wine to each and every lord
Yea, with gladsome cheer.
Then the queen gave gifts so fair,
Gold and silver, jewels rare,
Courtesy to show;
To each knight gave brooch or ring,
To Sir Launfal ne'er a thing,
Grief he needs must know.

Came the wedding-feast to end,
Launfal fain his way would wend,
Prayed leave of the king.
Said: "The news but now is sped
How my father lieth dead,
To his burying
I would go" -- The king so free,
Quoth: "Launfal, wilt go from me
Take for thy spending;
And my sister's sons, the two,
I will bid with thee to go,
Homeward thee to bring."

Launfal, on his journey bound,
Took leave of the Table Round,
Went his way, I ween,
Till to Karlion he came,
And the mayor's house, at that same,
Who his man had been --
Stood the mayor without, that tide,
Saw his master gently ride,
Knights with him doth bring.
Forth he goes the knight to greet, --
"Sir, I bid thee welcome meet,
Say, how fares our king?"

Launfal spake in answer there:
"Ne'er a man doth better fare,
Else were ruth the more --
But Sir Mayor, without leasing,
I be parted from the king,
And that rues me sore;
None beneath me, nor above,
For the sake of Arthur's love
Owes me honour more.
Sir, I prithee, of thy grace,
May I here have dwelling-place,
We were friends of yore?"

Straight the mayor him bethought,
And a fitting answer sought
Thus to him 'gan say:
"Seven knights would dwell with me,
Here to-day they sure shall be,
Of little Britain they --"
Launfal turned him with a smile,
Knightly scorn he gave for guile,
Saith to his knights twain:
"Who a lord of little fame
Thinks to serve, he, of that same
Service shall be fain!"

Launfal on his way would ride,
Quoth the Mayor: "My lord, abide --"
(In this wise he spake --)
"Turn ye by mine orchard side,
I have where, in joy and pride,
Ye your home may make."
Launfal, he anon alights,
Thinking there, with his two knights,
For awhile to dwell;
Right and left his wealth he cast
Till, ere the first year was past,
In great debt he fell.

So it chanced at Pentecost,
Such time as the Holy Ghost
Did on men alight,
That Sir Hugh, and eke Sir John,
Took their leave, for to be gone
From Launfal, the knight;
Saying: "Sir, our robes be rent,
And thy treasure all be spent,
We be evil dight."
Quoth Sir Launfal, fair and free,
"Tell none of my povertie,
Prithee, by God's Might."

Spake the gallant knights straightway,
They would ne'er his plight betray
All this world to win.
So they left him at that same,
Straight to Glastonbury came,
Arthur lay therein.
When he saw those knights draw nigh
Swift towards them did he hie
They were of his kin;
But the self-same robes they ware
As when they from court did fare,
Torn they were, and thin.

Of ill-will, the queen quoth there:
"Say, how doth the proud knight fare
May he armour wield?"
Quoth the good knights: "Lady, yea,
Well he fares, as good men may,
Heaven be his shield!"
Good the tidings that they bring
To the queen, and eke the king,
Of Launfal the bold,
And they quoth: "He loved us so
That when we were fain to go
He would us withold;

"But there came a rainy day
When Sir Launfal went his way
Hunting thro' holts hoar,
In our old robes did we ride,
So we went our way that tide
As we came of yore."
Arthur was right glad of mood
That it well with Launfal stood --
Grieved was queen Gwennore --
She desired with all her might
He should have, by day and night,
Pain and sorrow sore.

Came the feast of Trinitie,
Which, with great solemnitie
Men in Karlion hold;
Earls and barons, many a knight,
Burgess good, and lady bright,
Flock there, young and old;
But Launfal, the knight so free,
Might not of that gathering be,
For his lack of gold;
To the feast the mayor was bent,
His fair daughter straightway went
To the knight so bold;

Prayed him dine with her that day --
"Demoiselle," quoth Launfal, "nay,
Thereto I lack heart;
For the three days that be gone
Meat and drink have I had none,
This my sorry part;
I had fain heard Mass to-day,
Hose and shoes I lacked alway,
Linen clean and white.
Thus for want of clothing fair
In the feast I may not share
That doth me despite.

"This one thing I pray of thee,
Saddle, bridle, lend to me
That I forth may ride,
Solace would I find withal,
In a meadow, 'neath the wall,
In this undern-tide."
Launfal, then, he girt his steed,
Squire nor page had he at need,
Humbly did he ride;
His horse threw him in the fen,
Mocked he was of many men,
Yea, on every side.

On his horse he sprang again,
And, to chase his longings fain,
Rode towards the west;
Sultry waxed that undern-tide,
He, dismounting, would abide
'Neath a fair forest;
And, because the day was hot,
He would fold his cloak, I wot,
Sat him down to rest.
Sat thus in simplicitie
'Neath the shadow of a tree
Where it liked him best.

As he sat, and sorrowed sore,
Forth there came, from holts so hoar,
Maidens twain that day;
Silk of Inde their kirtles were,
Tightly laced, and fitting fair,
Never maids more gay;
Velvet were their mantles green
Bordered well with gold, I ween,
Lined with fur so gray;
On each gracious head was set,
Wrought of gold, a coronet,
Set with gems alway.

White their skin as snow on down,
Red their cheeks, their eyes were brown,
(None such have I seen --)
One, a basin all of gold
Bare, the other maid did hold
Towel of silken sheen.
Bright their kerchiefs were to see
With gold thread in broiderie --
Launfal 'gan to sigh --
O'er the turf to him they came
He would, rising, at that same
Greet them courteously:

"God be with ye, maidens bright!"
"Fair befall thee, noble knight,
Know, Dame Triamour
Bids thee come and speak with her
An it were thy will, fair Sir,
In this very hour."
Launfal answered, courteously,
He would come right willingly --
White were they as flour.
In the forest glade on high
He a fair tent did espie,
Merrie was that bower.

That fair tent was wrought, I wis,
All of work of Sarsynys,
Crystal was each ball;
Over all an eagle stood,
Wrought of red gold, rich and good,
And enamelled all;
For his eyes carbuncles bright --
As the moon that shines at night
Did the beams fair fall;
Alexander, monarch great,
Arthur, in his richest state,
Lacked such gem withal!

And in that pavilion
Lay the maid of Oleron,
Triamour, she hight;
King, her sire, of Faerie,
All the West, at his decree
Owned him man of might.
In that tent a couch withal
Found he, decked with purple pall,
Seemly 't was to sight,
Therein lay that gentle maid
Who Sir Launfal thither bade,
Lovesome lady bright.

For the heat she cast aside
Covering, to her waist that tide
Well nigh was she bare;
White as lily-flower in May,
Or as snow on winter's day --
He knew none so fair --
Yea, the red rose, newly-blown,
Pale against her cheek had shewn,
This to say I dare.
Bright her hair as threads of gold,
None her rich attire had told,
Thought had known it ne'er.

Quoth she: "Launfal, hark to me,
All my joy I'ld leave for thee,
Be my paramour;
For in Christendom is none
Whom I love, save thee alone,
King nor Emperour."
Launfal looked on that sweet maid,
All his love on her he laid,
Kissed her in that hour.
Down he sat him at her side,
Saying: "Sweet, whate'er betide
I am in thy power."

Quoth she: "Gentle knight, and free,
All thy state is known to me
Prithee, shame thee not;
Wilt thou me as true love take,
Other maids for me forsake,
Rich shall be thy lot.
For a purse I'll give thee here
Wrought of silk and gold so clear
With fair figures three;
Oft as thou thy hand within
Puttest, thou a mark shalt win
Wheresoe'er thou be.

"Yea, and more my gifts shall be,
With my steed, I'll give to thee
Geoffrey, mine own knave;
Of mine arms, a penoncel,
With three ermines painted well,
From thy lance to wave.
And in war and Tourney, know
Thou shalt ne'er be harmed by blow,
I my knight will save!"
Then he quoth, the gentle knight:
"Gramercie, my lady bright,
No more shield I'll crave."

Up she sat, the lady fair,
Bade her maidens bring her there
Water, for her hand;
This they did, nor made delay,
Set the board, and served straightway
Supper at command.
Dainties had they, fair and fine,
Pyement, claret, Rhenish wine,
Else great wonder were --
Thus they supped, the day was sped,
Then anon they sought their bed,
Knight and lady fair.

Scarce for joy they slept that night,
Till dawn came, and morning light,
Then she bade him rise,
Spake to him: "Sir Knight, art fain
E'er to speak with me again
Guard 'gainst prying eyes.
Secretly, I'll come to thee
In a place where none may see
Still as any stone."
Blithe and glad was Launfal then,
Joyful, he, above all men,
Kissed that maid anon.

"But of one thing warned be,
Ne'er, tho' profit 't were to thee,
Boast of me shalt make;
If thou doest, I thee warn
Thou shalt be of love forlorn --"
Thus the lady spake.
Launfal prayed her leave to go --
Geoffrey fain his skill would show
Brought the knight his steed,
Launfal straight the steed bestrode,
Back to Karlion he rode,
Poor was still his weed.

Glad at heart, his lady's will
Fain to do, he held him still,
All that undern-tide;
Thro' the burg came riding men,
Harnessed well, in number ten,
Sumpter steeds they ride.
Some with silver, some with gold,
(This for Launfal did they hold
Fit gear to provide,)
Raiment rich, and armour bright --
Then thy ask: "Launfal, the knight,
Where doth he abide?"

Silk of Inde the ten they ware,
Geoffrey, he behind did fare
On Blaunchard, the white;
In the market place one stood,
Quoth: "Where goeth all this good,
Tell us, gentle wight?"
Geoffrey spake: "As gift so fair
We this store to Launfal bear
Who in dolour rides --"
Quoth the boy: "He lives in need,
Men of him take little heed,
With the mayor he bides."

At the mayor's door they light,
Proffer to the noble knight
All the gifts they bear;
The mayor saw their goodliness,
Knew Sir Launfal's nobleness,
Shame o'ertook him there.
Quoth: "Sir Knight, of Charitie,
Prithee eat to-day with me,
As yestre'en it were
To the feast with thee I'ld ride,
Solace had been ours that tide
But thou forth didst fare."

"Nay, Sir Mayor, God pardon thee,
While I dwelt in povertie
Ne'er didst bid me dine,
Now my friends have sent to me
Greater store in gold and fee
Than was ever thine!"
Shamed, the mayor, he went his way,
Launfal did on fair array,
Purple, furred with white;
All the debts he ever made
Geoffrey hath the tale repaid
As was fit and right.

Launfal held rich feast that stead,
Fifty poor guests well he fed
Who were in ill plight;
Gave to fifty, each a steed,
Gave to fifty, goodly weed,
Were they squire or knight.
Fifty priests, I trow, he paid,
Fifty prisoners he made
From their bondage free,
Fifty jesters clothed he then,
Honour did to many men
Tho' of far countrie.

Lords of Karlion that tide
Bid a Tournament be cried
All for Launfal's love,
And for Blaunchard, his good steed,
All to wit how he might speed
And his valour prove.
When the day at last they see
That the jousts should ridden be
Forth to field they move,
Trumpeters a shrill blast blow,
All the lords ride out a-row
From the burg above.

Thus the Tourney fair was set,
Each doth on the other whet
Swords, and maces both,
So doth Fortune shifting run,
Some lose steeds, and some have won,
Knights were wondrous wroth;
Since the Table Round begun
Better Tourney was there none
That I say for sooth.
Many lords of Karlion town
On that field were smitten down,
Certes, without oath.

The constable of Karlion
Did upon Sir Launfal run
Nor would more abide --
He smote Launfal, Launfal him,
Stern, I trow, the strokes and grim,
Smitten on each side.
Launfal of his foe was ware,
From his steed he did him bear
To the ground that tide.
As the constable lay low,
Geoffrey leapt to saddle-bow,
From the field would ride.

Chester's earl beheld with eye,
Wroth he was, to madness nigh,
Rode on Launfal good.
On the helm he smote withal
That the crest adown must fall,
(So the French tale stood --)
Launfal was of mickle might,
From his steed he did alight,
Laid his foemen low;
Then there came, the knight about,
Of Welsh knights so great a rout
None their tale might know.

Shields were shattered then withal,
Shivered spears in splinters fall,
Yea, in rear and van;
Launfal and his steed of pride
Bare to earth, I ween, that tide
Many a gallant man.
So the Tourney's prize by right
Gave they to Launfal the knight,
Nor had need of oath.
Many a lord, I trow, that day
To the mayor's house took their way
With him, little loth.

Then that noble knight and bold
Royal feast and rich did hold,
E'en for fourteen-night;
Earls and barons in that hall
Service seemly found withal,
Royally were dight.
Every day fair Triamour
Sought her love, Sir Launfal's, bower,
Fell the shades of night;
But of all men in that place
Two alone might see her fare,
Geoffrey, and her knight.

Lived a knight in Lombardie,
Jealous of Sir Launfal he,
Valentine he hight.
Of Sir Launfal he heard tell
How he jousted wondrous well
Man of mickle might.
Valentine was strong, I ween,
Measured well of foot fifteen,
Deemed himself good knight;
Launfal he to test was fain,
In fair field to meet, they twain,
Or for joust or fight.

Valentine, he sat in hall,
Bade a messenger to call,
Said: "Needs must thou wend --
Unto Launfal, that good knight,
Who is held of such great might
I'll to Britain send.
Say, for love of his ladie,
If of gentle birth she be,
Courteous, fair, and free,
Would he keep his armour bright
Nor be deemed a coward knight,
He must joust with me."

Fain to do his lord's command
Sailed the messenger from land,
Fair the wind at will;
O'er the water came anon,
To Sir Launfal hath he gone
Spake with words so still,
Quoth: "Sir Valentine, my lord,
Who right skilful is with sword
Sent me unto thee,
Praying, for thy true love's sake
Thou a spear with him wilt break --"
Launfal laughed out free.

Quoth, as he was gentle knight
That same day, a fourteen-night,
He would 'gainst him ride --
For the tidings he did bring
Gave the messenger a ring,
Horse, and robe of pride.
Launfal kissed fair Triamour,
(Brightest maiden she in bower)
Prayed her leave to ride --
Then she quoth, that maiden dear,
"Of thy foeman have no fear,
He shall fall that tide."

None would Launfal with him lead
Saving Geoffrey, and his steed,
Blaunchard, so they three
Took to ship, the wind was good,
Swift they crossed the salt sea flood,
Came to Lombardie.
And when he had crossed the tide
Where the joust he needs must ride,
E'en in Atalie,
Valentine had there great host,
Launfal he hath lowered their boast,
With small companie.

When Sir Launfal, armed aright,
Sprang upon his charger white,
Spear and shield did hold,
All who saw his armour bright
Quoth that ne'er so fair a knight
Did their eyes behold.
Then they rode a joust so well
That their lances shivered fell
Shattered on the field,
At the second joust alway
Launfal's helm, the tale doth say,
To the spear did yield.

Laughed his foeman, and made game,
Launfal ne'er had felt such shame
Nay, tho' fierce the fight.
Geoffrey proved him good at need,
Leapt upon his master's steed,
(No man saw that sight --)
Ere the knights again had met
Launfal's helm on head he set,
Laced it fair and tight.
Launfal, he was glad and gay,
Geoffrey well he thanked that day
For his deed of might.

Valentine, he smote so well,
Launfal's shield adown it fell
Even at that stound;
Geoffrey, he that shield hath ta'en,
Given it to his lord again
Ere it came to ground.
Launfal, he was blithe and gay,
The third joust he rode straightway,
Showed his valour there;
Smote his foeman in that stead,
Horse and man, they both fell dead,
Grisley wounds they bare.

But of Atalie, the men,
Were full wroth with Launfal then
Since their knight was dead,
Sware that he should surely die
Ere he passed from Lombardie,
Hanged, and drawn that stead.
Launfal drew his falchion bright,
Smote them low, as dew falls light,
In a little space;
When he thus their lords had slain
He to Britain's shores again
Joyful set his face.

Thus to Arthur news they bring,
All the truth they tell the king
Of Launfal, his fame,
Then a script the king would send
Bidding Launfal to him wend
When Saint John's Feast came;
For the king a feast would hold
Of his earls and barons bold,
Lordings great and less,
Launfal should be steward in hall,
And the guests should order all
And give fair largesse.

Launfal straight his leave did pray
From his love, to go his way
The king's feast to lead.
Mirth he found and praise that hour,
Ladies, who were bright in bower,
Knights, right good at need.
Forty days the feast so high
Held they rich and royally,
Truth I tell to ye, --
Came the forty days to end,
Then the lords their way would wend,
Each to his countrie.

After meat it chanced Gawain,
Gaheries, and Agravain,
And Launfal, the knight,
Went to dance upon the green
'Neath the tower where lay the queen
And her ladies bright.
Launfal led the dance withal,
(For largesse, in hold and hall
Men, they loved him so;)
The queen lay, the dance would see,
Spake: "There danceth Launfal free,
I to him will go!

"He of all the knights I see
Seemeth fairest unto me,
Never had he wife,
An it be for good or ill
I will ask of him his will,
Whom I love as life!"
Maids she chose, a companie,
Of the fairest she might see
Sixty-five they were,
Thus they went their way forthright --
To disport them with the knights
Courteously they fare.

Thus the queen her place hath ta'en
Twixt Launfal, and good Gawain, --
And her ladies bright
Followed her full speedily,
Yea, 't was fair the dance to see
Each maid with a knight.
Minstrels well the fiddle play,
Cithole, too, and trumpet gay,
As 't was fit and right.
So they sported, sooth to say,
After meat, the summer's day,
Till 't was nigh to night.

When the dance was done, I ween,
Nigh to Launfal drew the queen,
Spake thus in his ear:
"Know for certain, gentle knight,
I have loved thee, day and night,
More than seven year;
Save thy love be given to me
I shall die for love of thee,
Launfal, leman dear!"
Quoth the good knight at that same:
"Traitor ne'er shall be my name,
Heaven help me here!"

Quoth the queen: "Thou coward, fie!
Fain I were men hanged thee high
Would thou ne'er wast born!
That thou livest, grieveth me,
Scorning women, all scorn thee,
Art of love forlorn!"
Sore abashed, the knight so bold
Speech no longer might withold,
Spake the queen before:
"I have loved a maid more bright
Than thou e'er hast seen with sight
Seven years and more.

"Lowest maiden of her train
Fitter were as queen to reign
Than thou e'er hast been!"
Very wroth, the queen, that day
With her maidens went her way
To her bower, I ween;
Laid her down upon her bed,
Sware she was full sick that stead,
Sware, as she might thrive,
She'ld on Launfal vengeance wreak,
All the land of him should speak
Ere days waxed to five!

From the chase doth Arthur ride,
Blithe and gay was he that tide
To his bower went he --
Then the queen on him did cry:
"Save thou 'venge me I shall die,
My heart breaks in three!
I to Launfal spake, my king,
And he prayed a shameful thing,
Would my leman be.
When I would not, boast he made
Of his love, whose loathliest maid
Fairer were than me!"

Then King Arthur, he waxed wroth,
And by God he sware an oath
Launfal would he slay;
Bade his doughty men, forthright
Take Launfal, and that good knight,
Hang and draw straightway.
Sought they for that knight anon --
To his chamber had he gone,
Fain was he to play,
But his love, she came no more,
As she warned him once of yore
So it fell alway.

Then his purse he did behold
Which was ever full of gold,
When of gold was need;
Ne'er a piece was there that day,
Geoffrey, he had ridden away
On Blaunchard, his steed.
All the good that he had won
Passed, as snow beneath the sun,
So the tale doth read;
E'en his harness, shining white,
Had become as black as night --
Launfal, in his need

Spake: "Alas! how may it be
That I live apart from thee
Sweetest Triamour?
Of all wealth am I forlorn,
And, far worse, from thee am torn
Brightest maid in bower!"
Then he smote him on the head,
Cursed the mouth that spake, that stead,
Yea, he sorrowed sore,
And for very grief that stound
Fell a-swooning to the ground --
Then of knights came four,

Laid the knight in bands straightway
(Double waxed his woe that day)
Led him to the king --
Arthur quoth, with anger moved,
"Heark to me, thou traitor proved,
Why make such boasting?
Fairer than my wife, didst say
Thy love's loathliest maid alway
Foul the lie, I trow!
And ere that wert fain the queen
Should thy paramour have been --
All too proud art thou!"

Quoth the knight, in eager mood,
As before the king he stood:
"'T is the queen doth lie!
Never since I saw the light
I besought her, day nor night,
Of such treacherie;
But she quoth, no man was I,
Woman's love, it passed me by,
Maids would naught of me --
And I answered her, and said,
I held my love's loathliest maid
Fitter queen to be!

"Certes, lordings, this is so,
I am ready here to do
All the court shall say --"
Saith the story, at that same,
Twelve good knights together came,
Judgment sought straightway,
And they spake themselves between,
How right well they knew the queen,
This was aye her way --
"Of her ever went the word
She loved others than her lord,
None shall that gainsay."

On the queen, and not the knight,
Should the blame be laid by right,
Thereof was he free;
And might he his lady bring,
She of whom he spake this thing,
And her maids should be
Brighter than the queen in hue,
Launfal should be holden true,
Free from felonie;
But, save he his love might show,
A thief's death he needs must know,
And be hanged on tree.

This, then, was their counselling:
Launfal should his true love bring,
His life on it lay --
Quoth the queen, with ne'er a lie:
"If she fairer prove than I,
Blind these eyes of gray!"
Thus the wager fast was bound,
Launfal hath two sureties found,
Noble knights were they --
Perceval and good Gawain,
They were sureties, the twain,
Till a certain day.

This they sware, my faith I plight,
In a year, and fourteen night,
He his love must bring --
Sorrow sore, and bitter care
Then, I ween, were Launfal's share
He his hands did wring;
Yea, so heavy was his woe,
All his life henceforth must know
Naught but mourning drear,
Glad his head to forfeit he --
Full of woe all men must be
Who these tidings hear.

Draweth nigh th' appointed day --
With his sureties he, straightway,
'Fore the king must go.
Arthur spake: "Thy love now bring --"
Launfal answered, sorrowing,
"It may not be so."
Arthur bade his lords forthright
Sit in judgment on the knight,
Speak his doom straightway;
Spake the earl of Cornwall free,
(Leader of the council he)
Boldly said him "Nay,"

"Mickle shame on us would light
An we doomed this gentle knight,
Fair is he, and free,
This my lords, shall be my rede,
We our king shall better lead,
Launfal hence shall flee."
As they council hold that tide
Maidens thro' the city ride,
Ten, right fair to see;
Yea, so fair were they, and bright,
That the loathliest to sight
Well a queen might be.

Quoth Gawain, that knight so dear:
"Brother, be of better cheer,
See thy true love ride!"
Launfal answered him: "I wis,
None of these my true love is,
Comrade true and tried!"
To the castle are they gone,
At the gate they 'light anon,
To the king they win,
Bade him in all haste prepare
For their dame a chamber fair,
Maid of royal kin.

"Who is she?" King Arthur said --
"Ye shall wit well" spake the maid,
"Hither doth she ride."
Arthur bade prepare that hour
For that maid the fairest bower
In his palace wide;
Then his barons straightway bade
That the doom be not delayed
Of that traitor's pride.
But the barons quoth forthright:
"Till we see those maidens bright
Must our judgment bide."

A new tale they weave also,
Part of weal, and part of woe,
To appease their lord;
Some would judge Launfal, the knight,
Some would speak him free by right,
Diverse was their word.
Maidens ten again they see,
Fairer than the first they be,
As they'ld doom the knight --
Each one rode a mule of Spain,
Saddle, bridle, of Champagne,
Harness, gleaming bright.

Clothed they were in silk of Tyre --
Each man yearned their fair attire
Better to behold;
Gawain quoth, that courteous knight:
"Launfal see, thy lady bright
Freeth thee from hold!"
Launfal quoth right drearily:
"Strangers one and all they be,
They, and all their race."
To the hall the maids forthright
Ride, and at the dais alight,
'Fore King Arthur's face.

King and queen they gracious greet;
One maid spake, in fashion meet,
To the king that hour:
"Deck thy hall and hang the wall
Eke with purple and with pall
For fair Triamour!"
Arthur answered them forthright,
"Welcome be ye maidens bright,
Yea, in Christ's own Name."
Lancelot du Lake he bade
To her fellows lead each maid
Courteous, at that same.

Then the queen, with thought of guile,
Fearing Launfal, in a while,
Should be spoken free
Thro' his love, who thither came,
Cried on Arthur at that same;
"Sire, 't were courtesie,
And for honour fit and right
To avenge me of that knight
Who set shame on me!
Launfal should'st thou nowise spare,
Fain thy lords were thee to snare,
Dear to them is he!"

As the queen spake on this wise,
Lo! before the baron's eyes
Rode a demoiselle,
On a palfrey white and tall,
Never such was seen withal,
That I know right well, --
Light was she as bird on bough
In all fashion fair enow
A king's hall to grace,
Bright as blossom blowing meet,
Gray her eyes, her smile was sweet,
Very fair her face.

Red her cheeks as rose is red,
And the hair upon her head
As gold thread was bright;
And her crown ye might behold
Of rich stones, and ruddy gold,
Gleaming in the light.
Clad was she in purple pall,
Slight of form, in waist full small,
Seemly to men's sight;
And her mantle, fair and wide,
Showed, turned back on either side,
Fur of ermine white.

Rich her saddle was, I ween,
With its skirts of velvet green
Painted cunningly;
And a border all of bells,
Of pure gold, and nothing else
That a man might see,
Front and back, each saddle-bow
Was with eastern gems a-glow,
Gay exceedingly;
And her palfrey trappings bare
That were worth an earldom fair
E'en in Lombardie.

Hawk on hand the lady rode,
Soft and slow her steed, it trode,
All might well behold;
Thus thro' Karlion did she ride,
Two white greyhounds, at her side,
Collars bare of gold;
Launfal saw that lady's face,
Raised his voice, and in that place
Cried on young and old;
"Now may ye my true love see,
Who may, an she gracious be,
Set me free from hold!"

Rode that lady to the hall
Where the queen, and maidens all,
Sat beside the king;
Swift to aid fair Triamour
All her maidens, in that hour,
To her stirrup spring.
Straight her cloak she cast aside
That the better in that tide,
Men her form might see,
Arthur would her gracious greet,
And she spake, in answer meet,
Words both fair and free.

Stood the queen, and maidens all,
They, that lady fair and tall,
Fain would see with sight;
All their beauty was fordone,
As the moon before the sun
Fades with morning light.
Quoth she then unto the king:
"Sire, I come but for one thing,
E'en to save my knight.
Ne'er had he such traitorous thought
That he the queen's love besought,
Ne'er by day nor night!

"Therefore, Sire, take heed to this,
Tho' he prayed not, she, I wis,
Fain his love would be;
He refused her, and said
That his true love's lowest maid
Fairer were than she!"
Arthur spake: "It needs no oath,
All can see that, by my troth,
Fairer far ye be!"
To the queen the lady stept,
But a breath her brow hath swept,
Blind for aye is she.

To her steed she leapt straightway,
Quoth: "I bid ye all Good-day,"
No more would she bide.
From the forest Geoffrey sped,
Launfal's steed with him he led
To his master's side.
On his back he sprang, the knight,
Tarried not, but thought forthright
With his love to ride.
And the maidens, every one,
With their dame their way have gone
In great joy and pride.

Rode the lady thro' Carlisle,
Far, unto a goodly isle,
Oleron, 't was hight,
And each year, as falls that day,
Launfal's steed ye may hear neigh,
Yea, and see with sight!
He who fain a joust would see,
Keep from rust his harness free,
Or in field would fight,
Needeth not to further ride,
Jousts enow he'll find that tide
With Launfal, the knight.

Thus Launfal, who erst was found
Good knight of the Table Round,
Passed to Faerie;
None in this land saw him more,
Nor of him have better lore
Than I tell to ye;
Thomas Chester made this tale
Of the good knight, Sir Launfale,
Famed for chivalrie;
Jesu Christ, we pray thee here,
With Marie, Thy Mother dear,
Send us blessings free!





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