transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:01] Good evening, and welcome to The Sleepy Bookshelf, where we put down our worries from the day, and pick up a good book. I'm your host, Elizabeth. It is so wonderful to be here with you tonight. This evening, we are returning to King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. Before we continue, let's release the day. Take a deep breath in, gathering your thoughts, and exhale, letting them drift away. Stay in this calmness, while I recap our last episode. After being driven mad by the false information of LeBel Assault's death, Sir Tristram lived in the forest like a wild man, until he recovered his senses. During this time, he saved a knight by killing a giant. He was later found and brought to King Mark's Court, where LeBel Assault recognized him with the help of his loyal hound. Despite this, King Mark remained hostile and banished him again. Leaving Cornwall, Tristram traveled with Sir Dynadon and proved his prowess by defeating many knights and overcoming a troop of nearly 30 attackers. Though Dynadon was often fearful, Tristram showed constant courage and skill. They met other knights, including Sir Garwain, and uncovered a plot by Morgan le Fay to ambush noble knights. Tristram continued to excel in battle and gain renown. At a tournament at the Maiden's Castle, he fought in disguise as the Knight of the Black Shield. Defeating many opponents, including Sir Palamutes, and even challenging King Arthur. He later fought Sir Lancelot, but withdrew due to a serious wound. Although Lancelot was named the winner, he declared Tristram the true victor for his superior performance. Tristram retreated into the forest, where he was later found and brought to King Arthur's court. Tonight we begin the story of the Holy Grail. So just lie back and relax as I turn to the next pages of King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. Chapter 13 The Knights Go to Seek the Grail After these things, Merlin fell into a dotage of love for a damsel of the Lady of the Lake, and would let her have no rest, but followed her in every place. And ever she encouraged him, and made him welcome till she had learned all his crafts that she desired to know. Then upon a time she went with him beyond the sea, to the land of Benwick. And as they went, he showed her many wonders, till at length she was afraid, and would fain have been delivered from him. And as they were in the forest of Braceland, they sat together under an oak tree, and the damsel prayed to see all that charm, whereby men might be shut up yet alive in rocks or trees. But he refused her a long time, fearing to let her know. Then did she make him great cheer. But anon, as he lay down to sleep, she softly rose and walked about him, waving her hands and muttering the charm, and presently enclosed him fast within the tree whereby he slept. And therefrom never more he could by any means come out, for all the crafts that he could do. And so, she departed and left Merlin. At the vigil of the next feast of Pentecost, when all the Knights of the Round Table were met together at Camelot, and had heard Mass, and were about to sit down to meet, there rode into the hall a fair lady on horseback, who went straight up to King Arthur, where he sat upon his throne, and reverently saluted him. God be with thee, fair damsel, quoth the king. What desirest thou of me? I pray thee tell me, Lord, she answered. Where Sir Lancelot is? Said King Arthur. Then went she to Sir Lancelot and said, Sir, I salute thee in King Pellas' name, and require thee to come with me into the forest hereby. Then asked he her with whom she dwelled, and what she wished of him. Said she, whom Balin asked so sorely wounded when he smote the Dolorous Stroke. It is he who hath sent me to call thee. I will go with thee gladly, said Sir Lancelot, and bade his squire straight away saddle his horse and bring his armor. Then came the queen to him and said, Sir Lancelot, will you leave me thus at this high feast? Madam, replied the damsel, by dinnertime tomorrow he shall be with you. If I thought not, said the queen, you should not go with thee by my goodwill. Then Sir Lancelot and the lady rode forth till they came to the forest, and in a valley thereof found an abbey of nuns, whereby a squire stood ready to open the gates. When they had entered and descended from their horses, a joyful crowd pressed round Sir Lancelot and heartily saluted him and led him to the abbess' chamber and unarmed him. And on he saw his cousins likewise there, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, who also made great joy at seeing him, and said, By what adventure art thou here? For we thought to have seen thee at Camelot tomorrow. A damsel brought me here, said he, but as yet I know not for what service. As they thus talked, twelve nuns came in, who brought with them a ewe, so passing fair and well made, that in all the world his match could not be found. His name was Galahad, and though he knew him not, nor Sir Lancelot him, Sir Lancelot was his father. Sir, said the nuns, we bring thee here this child, whom we have nourished from his youth, and pray thee to make him a knight, for from no worthy your hand can he receive that order. Then Sir Lancelot, looking on the youth, saw that he was seemly and demure as a dove, with every feature good and noble, and thought he never had beheld a better-fashioned man of his years. Come with this desire from himself, said he. Yea, answered Galahad and all the nuns. Tomorrow, then, in reverence for the feast, he shall have his wish, said Sir Lancelot. Then with Sir Lionel and Sir Bors, he returned to the court and found all gone to the minster to hear service. When they came into the banquet hall each night and Baran found his name written in some seat in letters of gold as, Here ought to sit Sir Lionel. Here ought to sit Sir Gawain and so forth. And in the perilous seat at the high center of the table, a name was also written, whereat they marvelled greatly, for no living man had ever yet dared sit upon that seat save one, and him a flame leapt forth and drew down under earth, so that he was no more seen. Then came Sir Lancelot and read the letters in that seat and said, My counsel is that this inscription be now covered up, until the night become who shall achieve this great adventure. So they made a veil of silk and put it over the letters. In the meanwhile, came Sir Garwain to the court and told the king he had a message to him from beyond the sea, from Merlin. For, said he, as I rode through the forests of Brostean but five days since, I heard the voice of Merlin speaking to me from midst an oak tree. Whereat in great amazement, I besought him to come forth. But he, with many groans, replied he never might more do so, for that none could free him save the damsel of the lake who had enclosed him there by his own spells which he had taught her. But go, said he, to King Arthur and tell him, that he now prepare his knights and all his table round to seek this sangrile, for the time is come when it shall be achieved. When Sir Garwain had spoken thus, King Arthur sat, pensive in spirit, and mused deeply of the holy grail, and what saintly knight should come who might achieve it. And on he bade them hasten to set on the banquet. For never have you dined at this high feast till you have seen some strange adventure. Thou sayest truly, said the king, my mind was full of wonders and musings, till I bethought me naught of mine old custom. As they stood speaking, thus a squire ran in and cried, Lord, I bring thee marvelous tidings. What be they? said the king. Lord, said he, hereby at the river is a marvelous great stone, which I myself saw swim down hitherwards upon the water, and in it there is set a sword, and ever the stone heaveth and swayeth on the water, but floateth down no further with the stream. I will go and see it, said the king. So all the knights went with him, and when they came to the river, there surely found they a mighty stone of red marble floating on the water, as the squire had said, and therein stuck a fair and rich sword. On the pommel whereof were precious stones wrought skillfully with gold into these words. No man shall take me hence, but he by whose side I should hang, and he shall be the best knight in the world. When the king read this, he turned round to Sir Lancelot and said, For sir, this sword will to surely be thine. Thou art the best knight in all the world. But Lancelot answered soberly, Certainly, sir, it is not for me, nor will I have the hardyhood to set my hand upon it. For he that toucheth it and faileth to achieve it shall one day be wounded by it mortally. But I doubt not, Lord. This day will show the greatest marvels that we have yet seen. For now the time is fully come, as Merlin hath forewarned us, and all the prophecies about the Sangreal should be fulfilled. Then stepped Sir Garwain forward and pooled at the sword but could not move it, and after him Sir Percival, to keep him fellowship in any peril he might suffer. But no other knight doth be so hardy as to try. Now may you go to dinner, said Sir Key, for a marvelous adventure you have had. Sir Wall returned from the river, and every knight sat down in his own place, and the high feast and banquet was then sumptuously begun, and all the hall was full of laughter and loud talk and jests, and running to and fro of squires who served their knights, and noise of jollity and mirth. Then suddenly befell a wondrous thing, for all the doors and windows of the hall shut violently of themselves, and made thick darkness, and presently there came a fair and gentle light from out of the perilous seat, and filled the palace with its beams. Then a dead silence fell on all the knights, and each man anxiously beheld his neighbor. But King Arthur rose and said, Lords and fair knights, have you no fear, but rejoice. We have seen strange things today, but stranger yet remain. Now I know we shall today see him who may sit in the siege perilous, and shall achieve this angriness. For as ye all well know, that holy vessel wherefrom at the supper of our Lord, before his death, he drank the wine with his disciples, hath been held ever since the holiest treasure of the world. And wheresoever it hath rested, peace and prosperity have rested with it on the land. But since the Dolorous Stroke, which Barlin gave King Pellus, none have seen it. For heaven wroth with that presumptuous blow, hath hid it nigh nowhere. Yet somewhere in the world it still may be, and maybe it is left to us, and to this noble order of the table round, to find and bring it home, and to make of this our realm the happiest in the earth. Many great quests and perilous adventures have ye all taken and achieved, but this high quest, ye only shall attain, who hath clean hands, and a pure heart, and valour, and hardyhood beyond all other men. While the King spoke, there came in softly an old man, robed all in white, leading with him a young knight, clad in red from top to toe, but without armour or shield, and having by his side an empty scabbard.

Speaker 2:
[18:35] The old man went up to the King and said, Lord, here I bring thee this young knight of royal lineage, and of the blood of Joseph and Aramithaea, by whom the marvels of thy court shall be fully accomplished.

Speaker 1:
[18:55] The King was right glad at his words and said, Sir, you be right heartily welcome, and of the young knight also. Then the old man put on Sir Galahad, for it was he a crimson robe, trimmed with fine amine, and took him by the hand and led him to the perilous seat. And lifting up the silken cloth which hung upon it, he read these words, written in gold letters.

Speaker 2:
[19:30] This is the seat of Sir Galahad, the good knight.

Speaker 1:
[19:45] Then sat Sir Galahad down firmly and surely, and said to the old man, Sir, you may now go your way, for you have done well and truly, and commend me to my grandsire, King Pellus, and say that I shall see him soon. So the old man departed with a retinue of twenty noble squires. But all the knights of the Round Table marveled at Sir Galahad, and at his tender age, and at his sitting there so surely in the perilous seat. Then the king led Sir Galahad forth from the palace, to show him the adventure of the Floating Stone. Here, said he, is as great a marvel as I ever saw, and right good knights have tried and failed to gain that sword. Said Galahad. For this adventure is not theirs, but mine. And for the certainty I had thereof, I brought no sword with me, as thou mayst see here by this empty scabbard. And on, he laid his hand upon the sword and lightly drew it from the stone and put it in his sheath and said, This sword was that enchanted one which erst belonged to the good knight Sir Balin, wherewith he slew through piteous mistake his brother Balin, who also slew him at the same time. All which great woe befell him through the Dolorous stroke he gave my Grandsire, King Pallas. As he stood speaking thus, they saw a lady riding swiftly down the river's bank towards them on a white poultry, who saluting the king and queen said, Lord King, Nacian the Hammet sendeth thee word, that to thee shall come today the greatest honor and worship that hath ever befallen a king of Britain. For this day shall the Sangriel appear in thy house. With that, the damsel took her leave and departed the same way she came. Let me then see a joust and tournament amongst ye for the last time before ye go. So they all took their harness and met together in the meadows by Camelot, and the queen and all her ladies sat in a tower to see. Then Sir Galahad, at the prayer of the king and queen, put on a coat of light armor and a helmet, but shield he would take none, and grasping a lance he drove into the middle of the press of knights and began to break spears marvelously, so that all men were full of wonder. And in so short a time he had surmounted and exceeded the rest, save Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival, that he took the chief worship of the field. Then the king and all the court and fellowship of knights went back to the palace, and so to even song in the great minster, a royal and goodly company. And after that sat down to supper in the hall, every night in his own seat as they had been before. Anon suddenly burst overhead the cracking and crying of great peals of thunder, till the palace walls were shaken sorely, and they thought to see them riven all to pieces. And in the midst of the blast, there entered in a sunbeam clearer by seven times than ever they saw day. And a marvellous, great glory fell upon them all. Then each night, looking on his neighbour found his face fairer than he had ever seen. And so, all standing on their feet, they gazed as dumb men on each other, not knowing what to say. Then entered into the hall the sangrial, borne aloft, without hands, through the midst of the sunbeam, and covered with white samite, so that none might see it. And all the hall was filled with perfume and incense, and every night was fed with the food he best loved. And when the holy vessel had been thus borne through the hall, it suddenly departed. No man saw with her. When they recovered breath to speak, King Arthur first rose up and yielded thanks to God and to our Lord. Then Sir Garwain sprang up and said, Now we have all been fed a miracle, with whatsoever food we thought of or desired, but with our eyes, we have not seen the blessed vessel whence it came, so carefully and preciously it was concealed. Therefore I make a vow that from tomorrow I shall labor twelve months and a day in quest of the Sangrel, and longer if need be. Nor will I come again into this court until mine eyes have seen it evidently. When he had spoken thus, night after night, rose up and vowed himself to the same quest, till most part of the Round Table had thus sworn. But when King Arthur heard them all, he could not refrain his eyes from tears and said, Segarwain, Segarwain, thou hast sent me in great sorrow. I fear me my true fellowship shall never meet together here again. And surely never Christian King had such a company of worthy knights around his table at one time. And when the queen and her ladies and gentle women heard the vows, they had such grief and sorrow as no tongue could tell. And Queen Guinevere cried out, I marvel that my lord will suffer them to depart from him. And many of the ladies who loved knights would have gone with them, but were forbidden by the hermit Nacian, who sent this message to all who had sworn themselves to the quest. Take with ye no lady nor gentlewoman, for in two so high a service as ye go in, no thought but of our lord and heaven may enter. On the morrow morning, all the knights rose early, and when they were fully armed, save shields and helms, they went in with the king and queen to service in the minster. Then the king counted all who had taken the adventure on themselves, and found them a hundred and fifty knights of the Round Table. And so, they all put on their helms and rode away together in the midst of cries and lamentations from the court and from the ladies and from all the town. But the queen went alone to her chamber, that no man might see her sorrow, and Sir Lancelot followed her to say farewell. When she saw him, she cried out, Sir Lancelot, thou hast betrayed me. Thou hast put me to death, thus to depart and leave my lord the king. Ah, madam, said he, be not displeased or angry, for I shall come again as soon as I can with honor. Alas, said she, that I ever saw thee, but he that suffered death upon the cross for all mankind, be to thee safety and good conduct, and to all thy company. Then Sir Lancelot saluted her and the king, and went forth with the rest, and came with them that night to Castlevagan, where they abode, and on the morrow they departed from each other on their separate ways, every night taking the way that pleased him best. Now Sir Galahad went forth without a shield, and rode so four days without adventure. And on the fourth day, after Evensong, he came to an abbey of white monks, where he was received in the house, and led to a chamber. And there he was unarmed, and met two knights of the Round Table, King Bagdamaugas and Sir Ewan. Sirs, said Sir Galahad, what adventure hath brought ye here? Within this place, as we are told, they answered, there is a shield no man may bear around his neck, without receiving sore mischance or death within three days. Tomorrow, said King Bagdamaugas, I shall attempt the adventure, and if I fail, do thou, Sir Galahad, take it up after me? By will willingly, said he, for as ye see, I have no shield as yet. So on the morrow they arose and heard mass, and afterwards King Bagdamaugas asked where the shield was kept. Then a monk led him behind the altar, where the shield hung as white as any snow, and with a blood-red cross in the midst of it. Sir, said the monk, this shield should hang from no knight's neck, unless he be the worthiest in the world. I warn ye, therefore, knights, consider well before ye dare touch it. Well, said King Bagdamaugas, I know well that I am far from the best knight in all the world, yet shall I make the trial? And so he took the shield and bore it from the monastery. If it please thee, said he to Ser Galahad, abide here till thou hearest how I speed. I will abide thee, said he. Then taking with him a squire who might return with any tidings to Ser Galahad, the king rode forth, and before he had gone two miles, he saw in a fair valley a hermitage, and a knight who came forth dressed in white armor, horse and all, who rode fast against him. When they encountered, Bagdamaegus broke his spear upon the white knight's shield, but was himself struck through the shoulder with a sore wound and hurled down from his horse. Then the white knight alighting came and took the white shield from the king and said, Thou hast done a great folly, for this shield ought never to be borne but by one who hath no living peer. And turning to the squire, he said, Bear thou this shield to the good knight, Sir Galahad, and greet him well from me. In whose name shall I greet him? said the squire. Take thou no heed of that, he answered. It is not for thee or any earthly mountain though. But now tell me, fair sir, at the least, said the squire. Why may this shield never be borne except its wearer come into injury or death? Because it shall belong to no man save its rightful owner, Galahad, replied the knight. Then the squire went to his master and found him wounded night a death, wherefore he fetched his horse and bore him back with him to the abbey, and there laid him in a bed and looked to his wounds, and when he had laid many days grievously sick, he at last barely escaped with his life. Galahad, said the squire, the knight who overthrew King Bagdamaegus sent you a greeting and bade you bear this shield. Now, blessed be God and fortune, said Sir Galahad, and hung the shield about his neck and armed him and rode forth. And on he met the white knight by the hermitage and each saluted courteously the other. Sir, said Sir Galahad, the shield I bear hath surely a marvellous history. He, when he left Jerusalem with his kindred, came to the country of King Everlake, who wore it continually with worn tolome. And when by the teaching of Joseph, King Everlake became a Christian, this shield was made for him in our Lord's name. And through its aid, King Tolome was defeated. But when King Everlake met him next in battle, he hid it in a veil, and suddenly uncovering it, he showed his enemies the figure of a bleeding man, nailed to a cross, at sight of which they were discomforted and fled. Presently after that, a man whose hand was mitten off touched the cross upon the shield, and had his hand restored to him, and many other miracles it worked. But suddenly, the cross that was upon it vanished away. And on both Joseph and King Everlake came to Britain, and by the preaching of Joseph, the people were made Christians. And when at length he lay upon his deathbed, King Everlake begged of him some token ere he died. Then, calling for his shield, he dipped his finger in his own blood, for he was bleeding fast, and none could staunch the wound. When the White Knight had thus spoken, he vanished suddenly away, and Sir Galahad returned to the Abbey. As he alighted came a monk and prayed him to go see a tomb in the churchyard. Where from came such a great and hideous noise that none could hear it, but they went nigh mad or lost all strength. And Sir said he, I deem it is a fiend. Said Sir Galahad. Said the monk. And Galahad, nothing afraid, quickly lifted up the stone, and forthwith came out a foul smoke, and from the midst thereof leaped up the loathliest figure that ever he had seen in the likeness of man. And Galahad blessed himself, for he knew it was a fiend of hell. Then he heard a voice crying out, Oh, Galahad, I cannot tear thee as I would. I see so many angels round thee that I may not come at thee. Then the fiend suddenly disappeared with a marvelous great cry, and Sir Galahad, looking in the tomb, saw there a body, all armed with a sword beside it. Now, fair brother, said he to the monk, Let us remove this cursed body, which is not fit to lie in a churchyard. But when it lived, a false and purgid Christian man dwelt in it, cast it away, and there shall come no more hideous noises from the tomb. And now must I depart, he added, for I have much in hand, and am upon the holy quest of the Sangrel, with many more goodnights. So he took his leave, and rode many journeys, backwards and forwards, as adventure would lead him. And at last, one day, he departed from a castle without first hearing mass. Which was it ever his custom to hear before he left his lodging? And on he found a ruined chapel on a mountain, and went in and kneeled before the altar, and prayed for wholesome counsel what to do. And as he prayed, he heard a voice, which said, Depart, adventurous knight, Unto the maiden's castle, And redress the violence and wrongs there done. And seeing an old churl hard by, he asked him what men called that castle. The fair sir, said he, it is the maiden's castle. It is a cursed place, said Galahad, and all its masters are but felons, full of mischief and hardness and shame. Oh, for that good reason, said the old man, thou wert well advised to turn thee back. For that same reason, quoth Sir Galahad, will I the more certainly ride on. Then looking at his armor carefully, to see that nothing failed him, he went forward. And presently there met him seven damsels, who cried out, Sir Knight, thou ride'st in great peril, for thou hast two waters to pass over. Why should I not pass over them? He said and rode straight on. And on he met a squire who said, Sir Knight, the masters of this castle defy thee and bid thee go no further till thou showest them thy business here.