The Age of Chivalry eBook

Thomas Bulfinch
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 436 pages of information about The Age of Chivalry.

The Age of Chivalry eBook

Thomas Bulfinch
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 436 pages of information about The Age of Chivalry.

Then would he have risen for to have parted them, but he had not so much strength to stand on his feet; so he staid so long that Sir Colgrevance had the worse; for Sir Lionel was of great chivalry and right hardy.  Then cried Sir Colgrevance, “Ah, Sir Bohort, why come ye not to bring me out of peril of death, wherein I have put me to succor you?” With that, Sir Lionel smote off his helm and bore him to the earth.  And when he had slain Sir Colgrevance he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop.  And he that was full of humility prayed him, “for God’s sake leave this battle, for if it befell, fair brother, that I slew you, or ye me, we should be dead of that sin.”  “Pray ye not me for mercy,” said Sir Lionel.  Then Sir Bohort, all weeping, drew his sword, and said, “Now God have mercy upon me, though I defend my life against my brother.”  With that Sir Bohort lifted up his sword, and would have smitten his brother.  Then he heard a voice that said, “Flee, Sir Bohort, and touch him not.”  Right so alighted a cloud between them, in the likeness of a fire and a marvellous flame, so that they both fell to the earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon.  And when they came to themselves, Sir Bohort saw that his brother had no harm; and he was right glad, for he dread sore that God had taken vengeance upon him.  Then Sir Lionel said to his brother, “Brother, forgive me, for God’s sake, all that I have trespassed against you.”  And Sir Bohort answered, “God forgive it thee, and I do.”

With that Sir Bohort heard a voice say, “Sir Bohort, take thy way anon, right to the sea, for Sir Perceval abideth thee there.”  So Sir Bohort departed, and rode the nearest way to the sea.  And at last he came to an abbey that was nigh the sea.  That night he rested him there, and in his sleep there came a voice unto him and bade him go to the sea-shore.  He started up, and made a sign of the cross on his forehead, and armed himself, and made ready his horse and mounted him, and at a broken wall he rode out, and came to the sea-shore.  And there he found a ship, covered all with white samite.  And he entered into the ship; but it was anon so dark that he might see no man, and he laid him down and slept till it was day.  Then he awaked, and saw in the middle of the ship a knight all armed, save his helm.  And then he knew it was Sir Perceval de Galis, and each made of other right great joy.  Then said Sir Perceval, “We lack nothing now but the good knight Sir Galahad.”

Sir Launcelot (Resumed)

It befell upon a night Sir Launcelot arrived before a castle, which was rich and fair.  And there was a postern that was opened toward the sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions kept the entry; and the moon shined clear.  Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice that said, “Launcelot, enter into the castle, where thou shalt see a great part of thy desire.”  So he went unto the

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Project Gutenberg
The Age of Chivalry from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.