“For thus it chanced one morn when all the court,
Green-suited, but with plumes4 that mock’d the May,
Had been, their wont5, a-maying.”
—Guinevere.
So they made them ready; and these were the names of the knights: Sir Kay the Seneschal, Sir Agrivaine, Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramour le Desirus, Sir Dodynas le Sauvage, Sir Ozanna, Sir Ladynas, Sir Persant of Inde, Sir Ironside, and Sir Pelleas; and these ten knights made them ready, in the freshest manner, to ride with the queen. So upon the morn they took their horses with the queen, and rode a-maying in woods and meadows, as it pleased them, in great joy and delight. Now there was a knight named Maleagans, son to King Brademagus, who loved Queen Guenever passing well, and so had he done long and many years. Now this knight, Sir Maleagans, learned the queen’s purpose, and that she had no men of arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for maying; so he prepared him twenty men of arms, and a hundred archers6, to take captive the queen and her knights.
“In the merry month of May,
In a morn at break of day,
With a troop of damsels playing,
The Queen, forsooth, went forth7 a-maying.”
—Old Song.
So when the queen had mayed, and all were bedecked with herbs, mosses8, and flowers in the best manner and freshest, right then came out of a wood Sir Maleagans with eightscore men well harnessed, and bade the queen and her knights yield them prisoners. “Traitor knight,” said Queen Guenever, “what wilt9 thou do? Wilt thou shame thyself? Bethink thee how thou art a king’s son, and a knight of the Table Round, and how thou art about to dishonor all knighthood and thyself?” “Be it as it may,” said Sir Maleagans, “know you well, madam, I have loved you many a year and never till now could I get you to such advantage as I do now; and therefore I will take you as I find you.” Then the ten knights of the Round Table drew their swords, and the other party run at them with their spears, and the ten knights manfully abode10 them, and smote11 away their spears. Then they lashed12 together with swords till several were smitten13 to the earth. So when the queen saw her knights thus dolefully oppressed, and needs must be slain14 at the last, then for pity and sorrow she cried, “Sir Maleagans, slay15 not my noble knights and I will go with you, upon this covenant16, that they be led with me wheresoever thou leadest me.” “Madame,” said Maleagans, “for your sake they shall be led with you into my own castle, if that ye will be ruled, and ride with me.” Then Sir Maleagans charged them all that none should depart from the queen, for he dreaded17 lest Sir Launcelot should have knowledge of what had been done.
Then the queen privily18 called unto her a page of her chamber19 that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said, “Go thou when thou seest thy time, and bear this ring unto Sir Launcelot, and pray him as he loveth me, that he will see me and rescue me. And spare not thy horse,” said the queen, “neither for water nor for land.” So the child espied20 his time, and lightly he took his horse with the spurs and departed as fast as he might. And when Sir Maleagans saw him so flee, he understood that it was by the queen’s commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed chased him, and shot at him, but the child went from them all. Then Sir Maleagans said to the queen, “Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I shall arrange for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you.” Then he rode with her and them all to his castle, in all the haste that they might. And by the way Sir Maleagans laid in ambush21 the best archers that he had to wait for Sir Launcelot. And the child came to Westminster and found Sir Launcelot and told his message and delivered him the queen’s ring. “Alas!” said Sir Launcelot, “now am I shamed for ever, unless I may rescue that noble lady.” Then eagerly he asked his armor and put it on him, and mounted his horse and rode as fast as he might; and men say he took the water at Westminster Bridge, and made his horse swim over Thames unto Lambeth. Then within a while he came to a wood where was a narrow way; and there the archers were laid in ambush. And they shot at him and smote his horse so that he fell. Then Sir Launcelot left his horse and went on foot, but there lay so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers and him that he might not meddle22 with them. “Alas! for shame,” said Sir Launcelot, “that ever one knight should betray another! but it is an old saw, a good man is never in danger, but when he is in danger of a coward.” Then Sir Launcelot went awhile and he was exceedingly cumbered by his armor, his shield, and his spear, and all that belonged to him. Then by chance there came by him a cart that came thither23 to fetch wood.
Now at this time carts were little used except for carrying offal and for conveying criminals to execution. But Sir Launcelot took no thought of anything but the necessity of haste for the purpose of rescuing the queen; so he demanded of the carter that he should take him in and convey him as speedily as possible for a liberal reward. The carter consented, and Sir Launcelot placed himself in the cart and only lamented24 that with much jolting25 he made but little progress. Then it happened Sir Gawain passed by and seeing an armed knight travelling in that unusual way he drew near to see who it might be. Then Sir Launcelot told him how the queen had been carried off, and how, in hastening to her rescue, his horse had been disabled and he had been compelled to avail himself of the cart rather than give up his enterprise. Then Sir Gawain said, “Surely it is unworthy of a knight to travel in such sort;” but Sir Launcelot heeded27 him not.
At nightfall they arrived at a castle and the lady thereof came out at the head of her damsels to welcome Sir Gawain. But to admit his companion, whom she supposed to be a criminal, or at least a prisoner, it pleased her not; however, to oblige Sir Gawain, she consented. At supper Sir Launcelot came near being consigned28 to the kitchen and was only admitted to the lady’s table at the earnest solicitation29 of Sir Gawain. Neither would the damsels prepare a bed for him. He seized the first he found unoccupied and was left undisturbed.
Next morning he saw from the turrets30 of the castle a train accompanying a lady, whom he imagined to be the queen. Sir Gawain thought it might be so, and became equally eager to depart. The lady of the castle supplied Sir Launcelot with a horse and they traversed the plain at full speed. They learned from some travellers whom they met, that there were two roads which led to the castle of Sir Maleagans. Here therefore the friends separated. Sir Launcelot found his way beset31 with obstacles, which he encountered successfully, but not without much loss of time. As evening approached he was met by a young and sportive damsel, who gayly proposed to him a supper at her castle. The knight, who was hungry and weary, accepted the offer, though with no very good grace. He followed the lady to her castle and ate voraciously32 of her supper, but was quite impenetrable to all her amorous33 advances. Suddenly the scene changed and he was assailed34 by six furious ruffians, whom he dealt with so vigorously that most of them were speedily disabled, when again there was a change and he found himself alone with his fair hostess, who informed him that she was none other than his guardian35 fairy, who had but subjected him to tests of his courage and fidelity36. The next day the fairy brought him on his road, and before parting gave him a ring, which she told him would by its changes of color disclose to him all enchantments37, and enable him to subdue39 them.
Sir Launcelot pursued his journey, without being much incommoded except by the taunts40 of travellers, who all seemed to have learned, by some means, his disgraceful drive in the cart. One, more insolent41 than the rest, had the audacity42 to interrupt him during dinner, and even to risk a battle in support of his pleasantry. Launcelot, after an easy victory, only doomed43 him to be carted in his turn.
At night he was received at another castle, with great apparent hospitality, but found himself in the morning in a dungeon44, and loaded with chains. Consulting his ring, and finding that this was an enchantment38, he burst his chains, seized his armor in spite of the visionary monsters who attempted to defend it, broke open the gates of the tower, and continued his journey. At length his progress was checked by a wide and rapid torrent45, which could only be passed on a narrow bridge, on which a false step would prove his destruction. Launcelot, leading his horse by the bridle46, and making him swim by his side, passed over the bridge, and was attacked as soon as he reached the bank by a lion and a leopard47, both of which he slew48, and then, exhausted49 and bleeding, seated himself on the grass, and endeavored to bind50 up his wounds, when he was accosted51 by Brademagus, the father of Maleagans, whose castle was then in sight, and at no great distance. This king, no less courteous52 than his son was haughty53 and insolent, after complimenting Sir Launcelot on the valor54 and skill he had displayed in the perils55 of the bridge and the wild beasts, offered him his assistance, and informed him that the queen was safe in his castle, but could only be rescued by encountering Maleagans. Launcelot demanded the battle for the next day, and accordingly it took place, at the foot of the tower, and under the eyes of the fair captive. Launcelot was enfeebled by his wounds, and fought not with his usual spirit, and the contest for a time was doubtful; till Guenever exclaimed, “Ah, Launcelot! my knight, truly have I been told that thou art no longer worthy26 of me!” These words instantly revived the drooping56 knight; he resumed at once his usual superiority, and soon laid at his feet his haughty adversary57.
He was on the point of sacrificing him to his resentment58, when Guenever, moved by the entreaties59 of Brademagus, ordered him to withhold60 the blow, and he obeyed. The castle and its prisoners were now at his disposal. Launcelot hastened to the apartment of the queen, threw himself at her feet, and was about to kiss her hand, when she exclaimed, “Ah, Launcelot! why do I see thee again, yet feel thee to be no longer worthy of me, after having been disgracefully drawn61 about the country in a—” She had not time to finish the phrase, for her lover suddenly started from her, and, bitterly lamenting62 that he had incurred63 the displeasure of his sovereign lady, rushed out of the castle, threw his sword and his shield to the right and left, ran furiously into the woods, and disappeared.
It seems that the story of the abominable64 cart, which haunted Launcelot at every step, had reached the ears of Sir Kay, who had told it to the queen, as a proof that her knight must have been dishonored. But Guenever had full leisure to repent65 the haste with which she had given credit to the tale. Three days elapsed, during which Launcelot wandered without knowing where he went, till at last he began to reflect that his mistress had doubtless been deceived by misrepresentation, and that it was his duty to set her right. He therefore returned, compelled Maleagans to release his prisoners, and, taking the road by which they expected the arrival of Sir Gawain, had the satisfaction of meeting him the next day; after which the whole company proceeded gayly towards Camelot.
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1
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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3
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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5
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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7
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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mosses
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| n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式 | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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10
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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11
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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12
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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13
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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14
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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15
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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16
covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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17
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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18
privily
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| adv.暗中，秘密地 | |
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19
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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20
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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22
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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23
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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24
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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26
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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27
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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29
solicitation
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| n.诱惑；揽货；恳切地要求；游说 | |
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30
turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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31
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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voraciously
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| adv.贪婪地 | |
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33
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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34
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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35
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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36
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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37
enchantments
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| n.魅力( enchantment的名词复数 )；迷人之处；施魔法；着魔 | |
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38
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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39
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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40
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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41
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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42
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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43
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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44
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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45
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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46
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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47
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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48
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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49
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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50
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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51
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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52
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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53
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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54
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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55
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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56
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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57
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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60
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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61
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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63
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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64
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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