Week 12B Reading

This week we will continue to take notes over King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang. 

1. Sir Galahad and the White Knight
The two Knights saluted each other courteously, and then the White Knight told Sir Galahad the story of the shield and how it had been given into his charge. Afterwards they parted, and Sir Galahad and his squire returned unto the Abbey whence they came.

2. Sir Lancelot's Vision
A voice spoke to him, and it said, "Sir Lancelot, more hard than is the stone, more bitter than is the wood, more naked and barren than is the leaf of the fig tree, art thou; therefore, go from hence and withdraw thee from this holy place."

3. The Adventure of Sir Percivale
As soon as it was day he looked about him, and saw he was in a wild mountain, girt round with the sea and filled with wild beasts. Then he rose and went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent bring a young lion by the neck, and after that there passed a great lion, crying and roaring after the serpent, and a fierce battle began between them.

4. Sir Lancelot and the Five Hundred Knights
Sorrowfully he rode on till he passed a chapel, where stood a nun, who called to him and asked him his name and what he was seeking. So he told her who he was, and what had befallen him at the tournament, and the vision that had come to him in his sleep.

5. Sir Gawaine and the Hermit
Sir Gawaine rode long without meeting any adventure, and from Pentecost to Michaelmas found none that pleased him. But at Michaelmas he met Sir Ector de Maris and rejoiced greatly.

6. The Adventure of Sir Bors
On the shore he found a vessel covered with white samite, and as soon as he stepped in the vessel, it set sail so fast it might have been flying, and Sir Bors lay down and slept till it was day. When he waked he saw a Knight lying in the midst of the ship, all armed save for his helm, and he knew him for Sir Percivale and welcomed him with great joy, and they told each other of their adventures and of their temptations and had great happiness in each other's company.

7. Sir Galahad and the Mysterious Ship
So first Sir Percivale stepped forward and set his hand to the sword, but he might not grasp it. Next Sir Bors tried to seize it, but he also failed. When Sir Galahad beheld the sword, he saw that there was written on it, in letters of blood, that he who tried to draw it should never fail of shame in his body or be wounded to the death.

8. Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad
The next day Sir Lancelot made his way back to Camelot, where he found King Arthur and Guenevere, but many of the Knights of the Round Table were slain, and destroyed more than the half. All the Court was passing glad to see Sir Lancelot, and the King asked many tidings of his son Sir Galahad.

9. Sir Galahad and the Graal
And by and by Sir Bors said to Sir Lancelot, 'Galahad your son saluteth you by me and, after you, King Arthur and all the Court, and so did Sir Percivale, for I buried them with mine own hands in the City of Sarras. Also, Sir Lancelot, Galahad prayeth you to remember of this uncertain world, as you promised when you were together!'

10. The End of Arthur
'Ah, Lancelot,' he said, when he stood looking beside his dead body, I thou wert head of all Christian Knights. Thou wert the courtliest Knight that ever drew sword, and the faithfulest friend that ever bestrode a horse. Thou wert the goodliest Knight that ever man has seen, and the truest lover that ever loved a woman.'

Excalibur