Rude Tales and Glorious: A Retelling of the Arthurian Tales by Nicholas Seare

Author:Nicholas Seare [Seare, Nicholas]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc.
Published: 1983-01-03T05:00:00+00:00

When the sun was high, Sir Gay with his won maiden behind him on the saddle entered upon a little greensward through which a merry stream did course, and in this greensward they did find two knights deep in dire combat, one of them caparisoned all in scarlet, the other all in black.

For a time Sir Gay sat astride his charger and watched the knights test their force and cunning upon one another. The battle went one way, and then the other, each knight delivering and receiving brave blows with sword, axe, mace, and handy boulder which rang grandly upon their armour. Then did the Black Knight seem to gain the better of the fighting, for he felled his opponent into the stream, and he sat astride the Scarlet Knight’s back and laughed, whilst the other did bubble and gasp and gargle as though to suggest he little enjoyed the breathing of water.

Sir Gay dismounted and yode him to the place of combat, calling out, “What cheer, good knights?”

The Black Knight answered courteously, saying, “Good enough cheer, brother. This essay at arms does seem to go my way at the moment; and the sun be shining on this greensward; and I have the pleasure of thy company. Yea, good cheer enough.”

But the Scarlet Knight answered not, save for some gurglings and bubblings, which Sir Gay could not accept as fair and formal greeting, and so he became wroth at the impolite knight, and he said, “Nay, fallen knight! Think not to pass me without greeting, nor imagine I will accept thy foolish gurglings in lieu of proper and friendly speech.” And with this he fetched the Scarlet Knight a kick with his steel boot, well aimed to his dangling bits and designed to help him mend his manners. But far from being chastised and shamed, the Scarlet Knight did but flay his arms and continue with his ill-bred bubblings and gaspings.

“What brings thee to this greensward?” asked the Black Knight of Sir Gay, as he rested from his martial fatigues astride his gurgling foe.

“In truth, dark hero, I am the prettiest knight of the Table Round, as no doubt thou canst see, and I be on the Quest of the Holy Grail.”

“Nay, friend, think not to con me so. Surely no knight of wit would be such an ass as to play that ancient game.”

“But I attest that the Holy Grail is my avowed Quest.”

“Oh? Indeed?” And the Black Knight made so bold as to laugh.

“Nay, an thou ridiculest me, have this for thy pains!” cried Sir Gay, fetching the ebony knight a great blow with his mace to the side of the helm.

And the Black Knight toppled from the back of his foe and sat in the middle of the stream, all stunned and amazed.

Seizing his chance, the Scarlet Knight leapt to his feet and, kicking off one steel boot that the water might run from his armour, he gave the Black Knight a bash with the point of

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