Clemence Housman - The Life of Sir Aglovale de Galis - Chapter IV lyrics

MY most dear Master has set down at length how Sir Turquine hated Sir Launcelot and died at his hands; how he used his prisoners, so that many perished; and how three score and four good knights outlived him to report the pains and shames he laid upon them. The tale ran hot against the next record of Aglovale. King Pellinore with his sons Aglovale and Lamorak came to Arthur's hall. They heard the sound of a great voice booming up to the rafters, the well-known voice of that good knight Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu. At their entrance it ceased suddenly; and Sir Griflet and all of the fellowship there present stood silent, as up the hall to salute King Arthur went Pellinore between his two sons, Sir Lamorak the renowned, shapely, and debonair, and Sir Aglovale, a dark travesty of him in feature and nature, ill-favoured from within outwards, ungainly also by misfortune, for since Humber's greenway he walked uneven. Silence held, while salutations pa**ed. To Aglovale the King's return was formal, but Pellinore and Lamorak he welcomed and embraced and kept them beside him. With a darkened countenance Aglovale turned alone to take his place. Then the silence struck him, and the looks that centred at him. Knights he pa**ed barely returned his salutation. Sir Griflet alone spoke kindness, hearty and loud. With misgiving he looked for Sir Marhaus. Lo, his place was void and covered black, for he was then dead, lately slain by Sir Tristram for the truage of Cornwall. King Arthur spoke. "Sir Aglovale, here are you come in good season to meet a heavy charge. God grant you be clear thereof, that you may give as good answer for yourself as Sir Griflet was ready to give on your behalf." Then he called out his nephew, Sir Gaheris, and bade him rehearse it. But before ever a word was said Aglovale's guilt looked out of his blasted face for all to see. Gaheris held the whole ugly story exact at every point. It had rounded complete to Sir Marhaus upon speech with his dying friend; and from him the sons of Lot had it; and since he no longer lived himself to prefer the charge, they, out of good hate to the House of Pellinore, were forward and fain to press it. "Therefore," said Gaheris, when he had told all, "a liar and a traitor I declare you, Sir Aglovale de Galis, and causer of the d**hs of a fair kind lady and a noble true knight, and I cry you a shame on the fellowship of the Round Table." Aglovale leaned heavy on his sword. The gentle head of Gilleis turned away, and the silence she took to the grave accused him more hardly than did Sir Gaheris. Twice King Arthur summoned his answer. To a dead hush he wrung it out. "It is truth!" said Aglovale. Through the hall sounded one great breath of indignation and amazement upon an answer so wildly amiss. Then an angry hum swelling, and the wrathful eyes of King Pellinore, and the cry of Lamorak as he cursed high, brought the unhappy man to his senses. With the right answer vainly he followed the wrong: "Prove it on my body!" he cried. He could not overtake his error. One cried for him to be heard: one only, Sir Griflet. A crash of voices opposed. Again and again Aglovale, desperate, lifted the right answer; with liar and traitor loud against him from many throats, he was beaten hoarse. King Arthur commanded silence to deny him his asking. "Since Sir Gaheris has charged you with great villainy, and you, Sir Aglovale, have answered aye thereto, now betwixt you there is no ground for debate. And as you are thus accorded, to go to battle were a wrong I will in no wise countenance." "Look on him now," said Gaheris, low to his brothers. "I have heard tell that King Pellinore's queen when she carried him envisaged the Questing Beast." "My Lord Arthur," cried Aglovale, "even as I am fellow and partner to the worship of the Round Table, so are all here present also fellows and partners to any disworship of mine. Sir, by your head as this noble company give me to know they have no liking for my fellowship by your head give me leave to answer with my body whoso wills to prove me unworthy this high order of fellowship. And that shall be proved never while I have life; never! for I promise, my lord, I will never yield myself as overcome. And howsoever I have answered to Sir Gaheris, wit you all it was out of no fear of him nor of better than he, and that can I make good by whosoever should undertake to slay me." "Sir Aglovale," returned Arthur, "the charge concerns you as liar and traitor. As at this time you are not appealed as a coward." Sir Gaheris let him know his danger; with loud scorn he refused him, and warned him they could lightly be rid of his fellowship by means of a cart and a hempen twist, as no noble knight would have ado with him. Aglovale at that shrank and lost power to speak. He heard other voices with Sir Gaheris, for many knights present had come out of Turquine's prison; and these, hot and bitter from the vile outrage they had endured, were the hardest on Aglovale's misconduct. Maybe the merciless condemnation of him by men themselves not blameless, as namely, Sir Gawaine, leaned on a suspicion that by a good understanding with Sir Turquine he had accomplished his villainous ends. King Pellinore understood why, after Gaheris had spoken, Aglovale's gaze turned quick to him and held hard. He looked with recall of time past at the day he entered the fellowship of the Table Round; when the son avowed his deserving of shameful d**h; when the father gripped his sword with a will; when the right answer was rehearsed. Now King Pellinore made no sign; with a Roman heart he watched his infamous son, and he would in no manner speak for him. "Whatsoever you will, my Lord Arthur, I a**ent thereto," he said. Lamorak in a fury was jerking at his sword, but King Pellinore kept his hand on the hilts to hold it down. Then into the hall came Sir Durnor. With a great clatter according to his wont he came swinging through the midst and saluted Arthur, and then his father and brother, kissing them heartily. "And brother Sir Aglovale, where is he?" said Durnor. He looked about, saw where he stood, and turned; but Lamorak withheld him, and let him know how Aglovale had been charged, and how he had answered. Then went Durnor muttering strong oaths in his beard, and came straight to Aglovale. "Alas! brother, you are unhappy," he said, and kissed his cheek. Now, had Lamorak been so kind almost might the heart of Aglovale have burst for joy; but of Durnor he could take little comfort, for he set no store on him and his easy, imperfect conditions. Great above all voices rose Sir Griflet's again. "Lo, my Lord Arthur, here am I, not discharged from my quarrel!" "How so?" said Arthur. "Now you must needs withdraw, foredone by Sir Aglovale's own word." "Not for that will I withdraw," said Griflet. "Against Sir Gaheris I did affirm that Sir Aglovale de Galis was a good knight and true, and promised to prove it with my body, and I think not to go back on what I have once said." Then Aglovale smote down his head, red to the hair for the scathe of such kindness. Others stared and questioned; some deemed there was mockery afoot, for that maker of sharp jests, Sir Dinadan, had been seen whispering Sir Griflet, and now he stood at Sir Gaheris' elbow and whispered him. Sir Gaheris laughed in a manner. " As for my part," said he on high, "I take right to be excused jeopardy of my person, seeing that a nearer party to the case is now present." "So were I the better pleased to encounter," said Sir Griflet; and earnestly he looked on Aglovale. At that Sir Kay, Sir Mordred, and others discourteous made laughter; but Arthur was displeased, saying he liked no japes played with the honour of the Round Table. "My lord," said Griflet, "I am in order and in earnest and right fain." Aglovale lifted up his head; he understood. Here was favour generously offered, but involved in a mockery like fire to his face. He took up his part. "Sir Griflet," he said, "none but I shall stand to the contrary against you. In mortal battle I will abide you as long as I may with what might I have, and the loth word I will never speak." Spite of the King's frown, laughter overbore indignation and swept the hall till even Durnor tingled for his blood. Eye to eye Aglovale and Griflet waited till Arthur made himself heard. Enchafed, he warned Sir Griflet he was standing to folly and untruth. "You speak as you hold, my lord," answered Griflet, "but since I list to hold otherwise, I require you set the day that I may make good my words on Sir Aglovale." Naught that the King and others could do with language availed to move him from his purpose. "My lord Arthur," cried Aglovale, "you, and all others my fellows who approve of the titles I stand to maintain, dread not that they will fail while I have life in my body to enforce them to the uttermost; for I declare and vow that never will I yield recreant to Sir Griflet; and if you shall find any default in my battle, then stint not to please Sir Gaheris of cart and cord." Then Arthur, yet in anger, appointed the morn to them, and went to dinner. This was the day when Sir Launcelot came back from many adventures in Sir Kay's harness, as my most dear Master tells. Aglovale pa**ed out with Durnor as he was entering, and the thunder of welcome reached after them as they went. Aglovale sighed and muttered, "Yet sooth Sir Griflet is a right noble knight." Said Durnor, "He is big, and hardy, and wary, and pa**ing sure, yet may you speed." "God mend your wits," said Aglovale, fiercely. "You are but a fool!" And he shut his heart against his brother. "It is truth," groaned Durnor, and cursed his scatter-brains. Aglovale winced at the chance echo. "I would you left me you who were there. You knew him, you saw him; why did he die? Tell me he died for pure sorrow." "Alas! brother, I know not. Many died for pure want. So died one at his side whose chain was for Sir Marhaus later." Aglovale muttered, "Would Sir Marhaus had lived, for he equalled Lamorak." Imperfectly grateful was he in his greedy heart to the loyal brother Durnor, and the friend Griflet who did him such kindness and grace. "Sir Marhaus," said Durnor, "was quit with but a day of prison. Who knows! The summer underground might have k**ed him also." Aglovale rejected that sop. "Who knows his day? Who keeps a constant level? Shall I to-morrow fight at my level no better or no worse!" "Aglovale, more than your due you take and have. You are not answerable for the brutal custom of Sir Turquine. And by all likelihood Sir Marhaus had never at his best achieved that rescue." "So granted! My treason was to utter waste. Sir Durnor, I need not your lights, for I have enough." "God help you alone, brother, as you will have none of me," said Durnor, with tears in his eyes. "My God! my God!" cried Aglovale, "I doubt not." Nacien's words of consolation were in remembrance, "Doubt not but that God shall reward you for your sins." Durnor was but musing aloud when he spoke again. "And indeed she was a pa**ing fair lady." Aglovale started from him. "Fair Christ deliver Percivale from any brotherly kindness like this!" Durnor followed, but durst not speak any more, since wherever he touched from hidden veins spouted fire. Aglovale turned. "Ah, pardon, Durnor, of your kindness! for I am curst; for I am but a dead man underfoot rotting for burial. Have patience with me till the sun go round." Durnor held him with his arms and took great sorrow. "Ah, brother, is there no remedy? Jesu, have mercy!" For the maintenance of an hour Aglovale, kneeling, waited on King Pellinore for a little mercy and one favour. "Let not young Percivale be taught blame of me; and when he is grown a knight, of your charity bring him to my grave, to pray some prayer for my soul. Judge you by my battle to-morrow if I deserve. Though you curse me living, yet when I am dead make peace to my name." Lamorak came in and loosed his wrath on his brother. He raged because of his answer. "How have you shamed us all, Sir Aglovale, and needless! There was no proof none. The knight is dead; the lady, dead; Sir Marhaus, dead. There was no proof, merely hearsay by the mouth of Sir Gaheris, wanting your answer. And you answered unknightly, like a shaveling; so is our blood shamed, before all the Round Table, before the face of the house of Lot that has wrought for our despite. And for that answer know I hate, and will never forgive you so long as you live." "Then, as I think, Sir Lamorak, you will not hate me long." "O fool, so are you shent! On Sir Gaheris you might have sped, but Sir Griflet is of better might than you; and needs must we be glad of it. Fie and woe on such vile folly." "Ah, sire, ah, brother; though I have lived ill, yet if I die well incline to Sir Griflet's contention. On my faith, it shall have as much worth as my poor body can bestow." Durnor clamoured and wept and cursed. Others, he said, were lightly quit of blame; Sir Gawaine, by fraud and unfaith, had enjoyed the lady Ettard, as all knew, yet was he at ease and loud against Aglovale. Then King Pellinore named Gilleis with Ettard, miscalling her in such a manner that hastily Aglovale rose up and departed. Quiet and dark lay Saint Stephen's at dusk as Aglovale issued clean shriven for the morn. Near by the King's palace was beaming with light, and there shout and laughter rocked for the joy of Launcelot. He stood to listen, and he was very heavy, for his life then stood but at twenty-four years. By came Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, entering on the like errand. Naught he said, but as he pa**ed his adversary he put out his hand; and Aglovale fell kneeling behind him, and kissed his hand and kissed his sword, in pa**ionate worship for the gift of honourable d**h they promised him; and his full heart got ease with weeping. To a fair meadow beside Camelot, all white with lady's-smocks, came at early day King Arthur with his knights to judge the battle; and there came King Pellinore and his son Lamorak, stark and sober, to witness; and there came Griflet with kin and fellows; and there came Aglovale with Durnor. Then must either party rehearse his contention before the King; and as Aglovale gave out his name, and the titles and cause he had to maintain, such a mock of acclaim endorsed him as paid outright on all his incontinence after worship. At that Sir Griflet lifted up his great voice. He was ready, he said, so soon as he had done with Sir Aglovale, to have ado with whoever should please to take up his contention after. "Be content with what licence you have," said Arthur. He was vexed and angry. Then Griflet and Aglovale, having done with words all that was due, rode asunder, fetched their range, feutred their spears, and at a signal came together with all the speed of their horses. Aglovale was smitten down with a wound in the side. Before Sir Griflet could turn again he was on his feet, calling on him to light down. As for his hurt, it trimmed him for battle; the pain of it quickened his heart, that the breath of derision had left like a dead cinder within him. They took out their swords and began strong battle on foot, hammering so hard that their harness was all dinted and broken, and darkened from bloody wounds. Tracing and giving from the bright sun, they circled up and down, till the white meadow was trodden and defiled, as though herds had gone over, and none could say which of them had the advantage. Sir Griflet was held to be the better knight, and so he seemed by his clean strokes and foins; but Sir Aglovale had his old practice with the left hand, and took to it when the right was weary. For upwards of an hour they fought without stint; and then they stood apart to breathe awhile. Sir Griflet put off his helm and faced the cool wind; Sir Aglovale put off his. "Oh, shame," said Lamorak, "to uncover such a face as that!" "His lips are white," said Durnor. "As I know him, he will do extremes." Again the two armed their heads and went to battle; and for an hour more they fought strongly and bled much, while none could forecast the issue, so even and stout they stood. Then Durnor cried, "By God's eyes, Sir Aglovale is standing to him against the sun!" That so he did was soon seen beyond question; and then all could espy that even with that advantage yielded him Sir Griflet was giving back; his strokes were random, his shield was low. In the end a good blow beat down sword and rove through helm, and he fell. In great dread Aglovale stood still, waiting for his adversary to rise; then he went and put off his helm, and found that he lived and moved. "Alas! Sir Griflet, now are you overcome and must yield." Griflet answered weakly, "Sir Aglovale, though I be overcome, yet will I not yield; so take your sword and slay me outright." "Have pity and yield," cried Aglovale, "for so I but keep my dishonour, and should I slay you I have it at increase." "I had liefer die," said Griflet, "for truly I find you, Sir Aglovale, even a better knight than I deemed." But Aglovale moved away a little, put off his own helm, and sat to rest, in hope that Griflet might recover force to stand up against him. In a frenzy he tore up the green with his hands, and all the pale flowers round him were dappled red with white, true coloured for that time of Pentecost. "In the name of God, Sir Griflet, essay to rise so soon as you may; for our blood goes from us, and yours more than mine." So Griflet did on his helm and got to his feet; and Aglovale stood up to meet him, but his shield he left, and his head he left bare, and he stood against the sun to perform his battle. At that Arthur was displeased, and knights partors came down the field with his command to Aglovale to arm his head duly. So ill-advised was Aglovale as to answer the King in maugre and orgule; for he said that he would not; he would fight so as he pleased. "And if," he said, "my lord Arthur holds me so in default, I ween as by agreement he may sort me with a hempen cord; and I would have him to know how for that adjustment I list to leave my neck bare and ready. But tell him that against Sir Griflet faithfully my hands shall keep my head to the best of my power." Greatly incensed was King Arthur at so despiteful an answer, and full soon had Aglovale cause to rue it. He kept his head fairly, while he struck but seldom, needing his sword for defence. Sir Griflet held on, and twice reached his head, gashing cheek and scalp; but he bled so fast that he could not stand long. At a light stroke he went down finally, and required his d**h. "Ah, Sir Griflet, what is the worth of my name against the worth of your life? Yield, for slay you I cannot." "Make no words. I would have slain you without question. By the love I bear King Pellinore, I would sooner die than face him yielden recreant against his son's worship. So finish." Then Aglovale in great anguish went up the field and came to King Arthur; and he besought him piteously to take the battle off his hands that Sir Griflet might live, for he would not yield. Launcelot, who came riding down leisurely, beheld Sir Aglovale, bareheaded, all bloody and spent from long fighting, and heard his prayer. "On my faith, he is a right good knight," said Launcelot to the winds. "I will not so," said Arthur; "for you shall finish out this battle, or else as a defaulter you shall be served with shameful d**h. For first," said Arthur, "your fellows here present have no mind to release you from the titles you stand to maintain. And second," said Arthur, "there is great suspicion of this battle as not of true intent and purpose, but guileful and dishonest; therefore I must needs have it brought to justification of d**h on one or the other. And last," said King Arthur, "unruly have you, Sir Aglovale, defied me, and scorned my head to take you in default; so look not that I should lightly acquit you; and except you perform to the uttermost upon Sir Griflet you shall have the penalty." "Oh me! What folly have I done!" said Aglovale. "My lord Arthur, to my own account justly have you answered me; but as to Sir Griflet, consider mercy for him, who would honestly have slain me out, were I in his case." "As for Sir Griflet," said Arthur, "sorry am I to lose so noble a knight, and that in a wrong cause; but this battle was of his seeking and against all counsel; in maugre and orgule he took it, and now must abye it. And well I deem that if in all integrity he did jeopard his life, he would sooner lose it than give occasion against the worship of the Table Round." Aglovale in his distress spoke to his father: "Ah, sire King Pellinore, as I am your son, though unworthy, give me counsel. Not for all the world would I slay Sir Griflet; yet shameful d**h is great dread and bitter dole." Then failed the iron heart of Pellinore; with a groan he fell forward, swooning for sorrow. Lamorak and Durnor took him up between them. Both were like drunken men, unsteady and spoke thick. "Come," said Lamorak, "get him hence, lest he recover before this matter is resolved and done with." "Get him hence by yourself," said Durnor. "I stand here. I turn not my back at this extremity." Lamorak turned once for a moment, and earnestly, with tears running down his face, he looked on his brother Aglovale, who as rain to parched earth felt that kindness on his trouble, and judged it for counsel. A whisper of ruth began as Sir Aglovale stood to look, as it were, his last after father and brother, and then slouched wearily back again to Sir Griflet, to find if he might yet help him from his hard choice. "Ah, my lord Arthur," said Sir Launcelot, "may you not find him better terms; for never saw I one in so piteous a case as set between shameful life and shameful d**h; for to slay Sir Griflet would be a shame for ever." "For the sake of his noble house and for the sake of Sir Griflet I am right heavy," said Arthur, "but I may do no otherwise for rightful judgment, or I should aggrieve all the many here who approve the contention he bears against Sir Griflet." "That is sooth," said Gaheris and others; but as many more spoke out for mercy. "Look you, Sir Launcelot," said Gaheris, "how, save his brother Sir Durnor, and your brother Sir Ector, none of those taken from Sir Turquine's prison and fellows to outrage will excuse Sir Aglovale from title as liar and traitor?" "Now, beside these," said Sir Launcelot, "do any here present gainsay excuse?" Then no voice but Sir Gawaine's rose against Sir Aglovale, while Sir Lionel de Ganis, Sir Brian de Listenoise, and some others told Sir Gaheris he spoke at fault as to them. Said Launcelot then, "Give me leave to meddle, good my lord, and to treat for Sir Aglovale; for though he be all so much to blame, yet he shows here as a good and true knight." "I am loth," said Arthur, "as this battle touches the honour of the Round Table to doubt and scandal. Yet, as for that, Sir Griflet is the more to blame, and I ween scoffer Sir Dinadan most of all." "I will so deal as to right it. Give me leave," said Launcelot. "You may essay," said Arthur. "Sir Gawaine," said Launcelot, "bring to remembrance how I rescued you from Sir Turquine's brother Carados when you were bound overthwart his saddle; and you, Sir Gaheris, how in like case I rescued you; and you, Sir Kay, how by my means you were put from prison ; and you, Sir Brandel." And so on Sir Launcelot named some thirty knights. "And since," he said, "all you have offered me thanks and worship for these rescues, I require you for my sake to excuse Sir Aglovale from his battle and commute on terms that he may live." "Sir Launcelot," said Gawaine, "I may not refuse you," and so answered all, but said that because of his shameful deeds Sir Aglovale should not be relieved on easy terms. "So be it," said Launcelot; "choose you an a**essor and we will deal." And straight Sir Gaheris was chosen, and with him he treated and agreed. Aglovale in great despair went back to his adversary, dressing his heart to bitter d**h. "Sir Griflet, there is no remedy, but one of us must die or yield." "No question!" said Griflet, feebly. "I have got my d**h as I think; so stand not, but take my life." "Live you! for 'tis I that must not." "Would I could serve you so, but I have no force." "Set your heart to live; mine is set to shameful d**h." "Shameful d**h!" "Yea, sir, I leave this battle to be hanged. With all my heart I thank you for your great pains spent in vain. And, Sir Griflet, I pray you say what you can for me to my father." "Shameful d**h!" said Griflet. With a strong effort he rose upright and heaved up his sword; aimless, by mere weight it fell, and he with it came to earth and lay senseless. There was no more help in him. "God grant I be hanged to some purpose," said Aglovale, as he turned to go again to ask his penalty. "And God grant it be over," he said, "before Lamorak come again." Down to meet him Sir Launcelot came shining. His head was bare, he bore no shield, and his sword was ready drawn. "Leave Sir Griflet, Sir Aglovale," he cried, "and have ado with me; for I take up his contention against you, and will prove it upon you." Lightly then, as though he bore no wounds, Aglovale sprang and laughed for joy; and wind and sun touched him from open heaven, as God could grant no dearer grace than tears from Lamorak and d**h from Launcelot. In a breath their swords were clashing together, and with stroke and stroke still Aglovale like a madman laughed. Biding his time, Sir Launcelot played with him, warding and turning his random strokes; and before long with fine force he struck Aglovale's sword clean from his hand, and would not suffer him to have it again. "Now, Sir Aglovale, choose you to yield or die?" "I have no choice, Sir Launcelot, but to die." Then Launcelot tempted him. "Yield to me, Sir Aglovale, and I will ensure you against shameful d**h, if language and body may; and I will ensure you that none in my hearing shall ever name you amiss but he shall answer to me." "Sir, I cannot," said Aglovale, "for albeit I have been liar and traitor, perjured and coward I will not to be for exchange. And as you are named courteous Sir Launcelot, put me from my trouble quickly, and before God I will give you thanks." "Now God have mercy on your soul," said Launcelot, and he swung his sword sheer upon Aglovale's head, yet deliverly from the crown he severed but the hair to the winds. "And keep you body alive to a better life," said Launcelot, while Aglovale stood mazed and lost, and looked at the sun and the flowered field, and the sword that had not slain. Frantic tears sprang, draining his strength like blood. "Begrudge not a proof of your worship," said Launcelot, greatly moved. "Sir, such mockery is vile, whatever my sins! Ah, Sir Launcelot, you that made me glad!" "Know now, Sir Aglovale, that King Arthur will release you on terms. Will you to take penance as readily as you take d**h?" "Fair sir, can you swear that you are not beguiling me to new scorns, and that Sir Dinadan has no voice in this matter? So of your charity deal, as I have bled overmuch to keep my wits clear." "By the faith of my body you need not dread. And I promise you I will require of you no more than I would myself perform, put case that I had offended as you. Yet an you say the loth word to that, and put yourself into my hands as overcome, I will take you and keep you from shameful d**h as well as I may." "Ah, sir, you could name no penance that I would refuse. And I do greatly need to live. Yet I looked to be out of this coil by now." "I warn you, Sir Aglovale, you may not be lightly quit, for very shamefully have you misdone." With that Launcelot took up Aglovale's sword, and holding him by the hand brought him to Arthur. Aglovale like a child confided and held, for he was greatly spent. "Sir Aglovale," said Arthur, "at the instance of Sir Launcelot and with the a**ent of your fellows, I am content to discharge you from this battle, given that you a**ent to the terms he shall put for your life." " Sir," said Aglovale, "I will never say loth for life or d**h in this matter." Then said Launcelot, "I require you, Sir Aglovale, in the presence of our lord, King Arthur, and our fellows of the Table Round, to swear here on your sword to take penance in this wise: soon as you are able, to go in your shirt barefoot, with a crier to decry you at every market-cross; so on your feet to go hence to the Forest Marches; there, like him you so evilly betrayed, to abye pains and shame according to the custom that Sir Turquine used; and there to rear a tomb for him, and found and endow a religious place, with good men to pray daily for the soul of him and his fellows dead in that prison. So shall you be held quit of your deeds." Straightway Aglovale kneeled, laid his hand on his sword, and swore to fulfil all. "Give here Sir Aglovale's sword," said Arthur, "for I will keep it from him till he shall redeem it to full satisfaction." "Sir, I will get it as soon as I can go," said Aglovale. He stood on his feet and tried to word fair acknowledgments. Deep colour rushed up to his face; he had not blood enough left in him also to man his heart; he swooned as Lamorak came again. "Now may you say, King Arthur, that you have a fair fellowship, if this be the worst of your knights," said Launcelot, and he reported how Sir Aglovale had answered him. Yet Arthur never after did favour Sir Aglovale, for cause that once he had given answer unknightly. To the wonder and chagrin of Brose, Sir Lamorak with Sir Durnor brought his master to lodging, and unarmed him to see to his hurts. They found upon him his wear of cilice. Lamorak muttered, "Defend us!" Would he be such a holy terror among us?" Durnor muttered, "In haire! He fought so in haire! Jesu! is it for enchantment?" Their brother's eyes lifted upon them indifferent, laying reproof to their curious and troubled minds. Durnor said, "Alas! brother, pardon." Lamorak drew away. Straightway Aglovale asked for him weakly. "Brother Sir Aglovale, Brose has more sk** to serve you than I." "Sir Lamorak, grant me my desire: ransack my wounds with your own hands." "Nay, but why?" said Lamorak, disquieted. "Ah, fair brother," said Aglovale, painfully, "either to heal from your touch quick and clean for a token, or to rankle. Let me know." Lamorak drew back, stricken with compunction and daunted. He was deeply distressed. "Fair Lord Jesu!" he said inwardly, "sweeten my heart at my brother's need." Yet could he get no ease. "Alas!" he said, "there is no such miracle of healing in my hands." "I take no keep essay for good or ill." "I cannot! I will not!" said Lamorak, and went out weeping. The wounds of Aglovale seemed to do well enough without him, and they were not slow in healing over. Durnor would hearten his brother against his penance. "As for the pain," said Durnor, "as I know it lasts not long; and as for the shame, many knights better than you and I have endured it." Thus did Durnor encourage his brother, who held his peace under him. And as soon as he was whole, with strength for his penance, Aglovale went in his shirt barefoot from Camelot, and a crier decried him at every market-cross; so on his feet he went and came to the Forest Marches; and there he took pain and shame as meekly as any grey penitent; and there he provided fitly for a rich tomb and a Priory place where prayers should be made daily. Then came Sir Kay on behalf of King Arthur, and delivered him his sword again, as he had redeemed it to full satisfaction. Then came Nacien the Hermit down from Wenlock Edge, and blessed him with good counsel. So Aglovale came to an end of his vain pa**ion for renown.