The story of Idylls of the king

Introduction

THE stories sketched herein are for the most part founded on Tennyson's " Idylls of the King." The aim of the writer has been to put the subject matter of the " Idylls " into readable form for young readers, — to lay a foundation, as it were, for Tennyson's tales. They are stories of " noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin."

Before reading these tales the young reader should know that King Arthur was a good and wise king who ruled over parts of England in the sixth century. In those days England was divided into a number of petty kingdoms, each ruled by its own king, and Arthur was the wisest and best of these rulers. Indeed, so great was he, that he conquered a large number of his neighbor kings, and finally came to be the ruler of all Western, or Celtic England. He was so chivalrous and kind, so wise and just, that people everywhere sang his praises. Story after story about him was handed down from one generation to another, until, even before printing came into use, writers of many lands took him for the highest type of chivalrous gentleman. He was made to stand for all that was good and pure in life, and his name became a household watchword.

A writer named Mallory gathered the Arthur stories together and had them published in one book. He called his work " Morte d'Arthur." Tennyson got much of the material for his " Idylls " from Mallory, but each author added to the original records to suit his own fancy. Thus, Arthur really reigned in the sixth century, but Mallory put him into a setting of feudal chivalry and knighthood at its highest flower, which was actually reached in the twelfth century. Tennyson went farther and put in conversation and happenings of his own day and age. Therefore, while the

V vi INTRODUCTION

story of Arthur Is beautiful and Inspiring, It Is not exactly true to his time. But this fact does not In any way affect the Interest of the tale.

The traveler over Great Britain finds everywhere mementos of Arthur. From " Arthur's Seat " at Edinburgh to " Arthur's Castle of TIntagll " In Cornwall, his name Is In the air. Winchester claims to have been the seat of Arthur's royal palace — the city spoken of In the tales as Camelot. Bamborough Castle In Northumberland boasts of having been " Joyous Card," the home of Lancelot, Arthur's best-loved knight; while Guilford In Surrey Is said to have been the home of " the lily maid of Astolat," who died for love of Lancelot. Devonshire Is known as the home of Geraint, one of Arthur's strong knights, and Glastonbury Is the traditional " Island-valley of Avalon " whither Arthur passed at the close of the tales. It was to Glastonbury, we are told, that Joseph of Arlmathea conveyed the Holy Grail after the Saviour's death, and there the Feast of the Pentecost was always faithfully observed by Arthur and his knights.

Tennyson uses his *' Idylls " to point a moral. In some respects he makes them a tale of " Paradise Lost." In the beginning, he shows us Arthur's kingdom — a creation bright and fair, perfect In every way. The blight of sin, however, creeps in at last and gradually spreads corruption, until all ends In what seems to be defeat and failure; but through the clouds we can see the sun shining, and we feel that Arthur's life has not been lived In vain. We do not deal with the moral In our rendering of the stories. We give them for their pictures of chivalrous times, for their beauty of thought and action, and for their portrayal of right, truth, and might conquering over wrong. It Is our hope that young readers will profit from acquaintance with the brave, and courteous knights, and the pure, true, beautiful ladies around whom the tales are woven, and be led to realize the truth of the saying: " Do after the good, and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renown."

Contents

PAGE

Introduction . v

CHAPTER

Chapter 1

KING UTHER Pendragon lay dying. He was sore at heart and sadly troubled. His spirit could not bear to leave the earth, for he had no heir to succeed him. Loudly did he mourn, and all his attendants were filled with pity. Merlin, the great wizard, and his master Bleys were sent for, and tried in vain to comfort him.

At last the two wise men went out from the King's presence, and paced along the shore beside the sea. They were sad and troubled, for they could think of no way in which their magic might help their beloved King. It was night — a dismal night, " in which the bounds of Heaven and earth seemed lost." Suddenly, from out the blackness, a dragon-winged ship loomed up at sea. Bright and all shining she was, and there were many people on her decks. But only a glimpse the two wise men had ere she passed from sight. Then master and pupil stood silently watching the great waves rise and fall. Wave after wave came in, each mightier than the last, until finally the ninth one, " gathering half the deep and full of voices, slowly rose and plunged roaring, and all the wave was in a flame, and down the wave and in the flame was borne a naked babe, that rode to Merlin's feet."

Quickly the old wizard caught up the child. " The King! " he cried. " Here is an heir for Uther ! "

As he spoke, the fringe of the great breaker, swooping up the strand, lashed at him and rose all around him in fire, so that he and

I the child were clothed in flame. Then the fire died down, a peaceful calm fell, and stars and sky were bright and clear.

Straightway Merlin and Bleys hurried to the castle, and great was the rejoicing when the glad tidings were borne throughout the court that an heir had been given to Uther from the deep sea. The old King was glad and happy indeed, and his spirit passed from his body in peace. But he did not die until he had blessed the child and commanded two knights and two ladies to take it, wrapped in cloth-of-gold, and deliver it to a poor man they would find waiting at the outer gates of the castle. The wise old King knew that when he was dead the babe's life would be in danger, and that many of his wicked, unscrupulous nobles would try to take the throne.

Now the old man at the gate was Merlin in disguise, but the knights and ladies knew it not. He bore the babe secretly away, and carried him to Sir Anton, an old friend of King Uther's. The good knight had the child christened by a holy priest, naming him Arthur. Then his wife took the babe and nursed him and reared him with her own children.

Great was the speculation at court as to where the child had gone, and strife and trouble arose among the more powerful nobles as to who should rule in King Uther's stead. But Merlin charged them, saying:

" Have heed what ye do. The child is not dead. God will have His will; in His own good time He will bring forth Uther's heir and crown him King. And Uther's heir shall be greatest of all great kings; all his enemies shall fall before him. And before he dies he shall long have been King of all England, and have under his rule Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and more kingdoms than are now known."

The petty kings and nobles marveled at what Merlin said, and though they scoffed at him in secret, they dared not take the throne, for well they knew the wisdom of his prophecies. And for many years there were wrangling and bloodshed in the land.

Knaves and cutthroats went their way undisturbed, and the country sank into decay. Wild men and people from over the sea plundered and laid waste the borderlands, and Terror rode barebacked over the hills and through the dales. At last Merlin went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and told him to make known to all the lords of the realm, and to all the gentlemen of arms, that if they would come to London at Christmas time, a miracle would be shown to them, revealing who was to be their King. Of course all the lords and gentlemen were eager to know who this might be, and long before dawn on Christmas Day the great church in London was packed with hopeful guests, who waited anxiously for the hour of prayer, after which the miracle was to be made known.

When all had been permitted to file into the churchyard, there was seen a large, square marble block, having in its midst an anvil all of steel. In the anvil was stuck a beautiful sword, with naked blade. And on the sword were letterings and markings of gold, which, being interpreted, read:

*' Whoso piilleth this sword from out this anvil and marble is the true King of all England."

The people marveled, for the feat seemed easy; and there was some wrangling among the lords, for each of them wished to be King, as to who should have the first trial to draw out the sword. The question having been settled by the Archbishop after some difficulty, one after another went up and tried to draw the sword from the anvil. But no one could even make it stir.

'* It is plain," said the Archbishop, " that the man is not here who can draw the sword. But doubtless God will make him known in good time. Let us issue a proclamation that there will be another trial on Twelfth Day. In the meantime, let us provide ten good knights to guard the sword."

All was done as the Archbishop said. Then, as the nobles and gentlemen did not care to return to their homes and journey back again, it was arranged to have a great joust, or tournament, on New Year's Day. The Archbishop was glad of this excuse to keep the lords and the common people together, for he hoped that during the joust some sign would be given as to who should win the sword.

Now It happened that Sir Anton lived on a large estate near London, and he decided to go up to the tournament with his son, Sir Kay, and young Arthur for his companions. When they had ridden a few miles on their journey. Sir Kay discovered that he had forgotten his sword. He was much dismayed, for he meant to take part in the tourneys, and he begged Arthur to ride back for it. This the sweet-tempered lad willingly consented to do, though by so doing he would miss a large part of the tournament. But the trip was a useless one, for when he arrived at the castle, he found that all the servants had set off across the fields for the tournament. There was no one to find the sword for him, and he was forced to turn back empty-handed.

" Alas! " said he, " I will not go to my brother without a sword. He shall do his share In the tourney, even though It be late In the day. I will get me down to the churchyard and draw out the sword from the marble."

When he had come to the churchyard and made fast his horse to the stile, he went to the tent which had been placed over the marble block, and peeped In. And lo ! the brave and trusted knights who had been left to guard the sword had stolen away to the tourneys ! Seizing the weapon by the handle, Arthur pulled it easily from the marble, mounted his horse, and rode away in search of Sir Kay, to whom he delivered the sword.

Sir Kay recognized It at once, and, saying nothing of his Intentions to Arthur, he spurred his horse to his father's side. Showing the sword to Sir Anton, he said, " Lo, Sir, here is the sword that was in the marble In the churchyard, wherefore I must be King of all England."

Sir Anton was astonished. But he knew his son. Privately summoning Arthur, he made Sir Kay and the boy go quietly with him to the churchyard. There he examined the marble; then he drew them Into the church and sternly bade Sir Kay tell him the truth about the stone.

"How is it that you now have the sword in your possession? You could no more draw it on Christmas Day than any other knight! " he demanded.

Sir Kay knew his father was not to be deceived, so he answered truly: " My brother Arthur brought it to me."

" Zounds! " exclaimed the old knight. " And how came you by it, boy?"

Arthur told him.

*' Then," said Sir Anton, " I see that you, lad, must be the destined King of our land."

" I ! " cried Arthur in bewilderment, for he had not understood the true significance of the sword. " Wherefore I ? Are you dreaming, Father? Why should I be King? "

" Because God will have it so," answered Sir Anton solemnly, uncovering his head. " Know you not, lad, that it has been ordained that whosoever pulleth this sword from the marble shall be King? It is a sign from the Great Ruler on high. Now, that there may be no mistake, let us see if you can put the sword back in its place and draw it out again."

" Surely, Sir, that is easy ! " answered Arthur, and straightway led the way to the churchyard.

Lightly he hurled the gleaming steel into the center of the anvil. Then Sir Anton took hold of the sword and tried to draw it out, but in vain. Sir Kay next tried with all his might to move the sword, but he could not stir it.

" Nay," said Sir Anton, " you are not the man. Do you try, Arthur."

And Arthur took hold of the sword and drew it forth easily. At this Sir Anton and Sir Kay knelt on the ground before him and bowed low their heads.

" Alas," cried Arthur, " wherefore do you kneel to me, mine own dear father and my brother? "

" Nay, my lord Arthur," answered good Sir Anton, " call' me father no more. You are not of our kin. None of my blood courses in your veins."

Then he told Arthur how he had taken him from Merhn and brought him up as his own son; and how the wizard had said that Arthur was sent from heaven to be King. Arthur was deeply moved, but the thought that he might be the King paled before the loss of his good parents, and he was even more deeply grieved.

Seeing this, the old knight said kindly: " Do not take it to heart, my lord Arthur. We will still be your friends, if it please you."

" If it please me! " exclaimed Arthur. " What manner of man should I be if it did not please me? It would ill-behoove me to show aught but kindness and love to you and my good mother. Lady Eleanor, who have stood for so many years between me and the world. Nay, Sir Anton, if it should be that I have the good fortune to be crowned King, ask what you will of me and the favor shall be granted, even unto the half of my kingdom."

" Lord Arthur," replied the old knight, bowing low, " your kindness and courtesy do credit to the wise teachings of my good lady. I thank you. But I shall ask no more of you than that you make my son, Sir Kay, seneschal of all your lands."

" Indeed," answered Arthur, " that will I do willingly. And, by my faith, no man but he shall fill that office while he and I live."

Then Sir Anton counseled Arthur and Sir Kay to hold their peace till Twelfth Day, when Arthur might take his turn among all those who came to try for the sword.

" For," said he, " no other man can take the sword, let him try as he may. You are the King that God has sent to save the land. It is best that you prove yourself before all the lords and common people."

When Twelfth Day came, a great crowd again assembled, and all the mighty and powerful men of the kingdom tried In turn to draw the sword. But none of them could do It. Then Arthur

•stepped out modestly from the ranks of the gentlemen and drew the sword with ease. At first the people were amazed. Then there was a great shout and a mutter of angry voices. How could all the great and powerful knights submit to be ruled by a mere boy, who had never even been knighted? It was with difficulty that the Archbishop of Canterbury and his assistants finally restored order. Then the Archbishop proposed that the question should not be decided till Candlemas, which is the second day of February, and to this all agreed.

However, when Candlemas came, Arthur again was the only •one from among the vast throng assembled in the churchyard who could draw the sword. But the people were no better satisfied than before; so they agreed to have another trial on Easter Day. And again it happened that none but Arthur could take the sword. Once more it was agreed that another trial should take place — this time at the Feast of the Pentecost, commonly known as Whitsunday, seven weeks after Easter.

Now so bitter was the feeling against Arthur that Merlin was fearful lest he come to harm, so the wizard prevailed upon the Archbishop to send ten of Uther's best-beloved knights to serve the young King-to-be as a body-guard. They were to attend Arthur at all times, and never to leave him even for a moment, until the great day for the Feast of the Pentecost arrived.

The people had now grown reckless over the choice of King, feeling that any full-grown man could rule more wisely than a mere stripling; so all manner of men were allowed to test their strength on the day of Pentecost. But all to no purpose, for none but Arthur could draw the sword. When for the fourth time he prevailed over all the knights and strong men of the land, a murmur ran through the crowd. A presentiment seemed to descend upon them. And all the common people fell upon their knees, crying:

" Let Arthur be crowned King! We will take no other. He it is whom God has sent. Deny him no longer, lest a great pestilence come upon us. Long live Arthur, the King ! "

Many of the knights now began to waver, and several of them came and knelt at Arthur's feet and implored him to forgive them for doubting him. This Arthur did readily, and, taking the sword, knelt and offered it on the altar before the Archbishop. Then he was knighted by the best man there.

Arthur was crowned at once, in the presence of all the people, and there he swore to the lords and the common people to be a true king forevermore, and to rule the land with right and justice. On one side of him stood the wizard, Merlin, his beard whitened by the frosts of a hundred winters, and on the other stood the Lady of the Lake, who had appeared as though by magic, clothed in white samite, mystic and wonderful. A mist of incense curled about her, and her face was well-nigh hidden in the gloom.

Just as the coronation ceremonies were over, the attention of the people was attracted toward the lake near by. And behold, a most wonderful sword rose above the waters in the center of the lake!

"The mystic sword!" cried the Lady of the Lake. "Make haste, my lord Arthur, row out and secure it. Excalibur, meaning cut-steel, is his name. Strong and powerful is he. And with him in your hands no enemy can stand before you."

" And mind you, O King," said the wizard, " secure you the scabbard, for it is ten times more powerful than the sword. While you have the scabbard upon you, you shall lose no blood, be you ever so sorely wounded."

Thus admonished, Arthur lost no time in securing the sword. And a wonderful sword it was, with a blade so bright that men were blinded by it. " All the haft twinkled with diamond sparks, myriads of topaz-lights and jacinth-work of subtlest jewelry." On the hilt was engraved the " Elfin Urim," mysterious Hebrew jewels, having a hidden meanmg. Some say that this symbol consisted of four rows of precious stones on which were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; others that it was formed of three stones, one of which indicated in some mysterious way the answer

" Yes," the second " No," while the third was neutral. On one side of the blade was engraved in Hebrew, " Take me," but on the other side were the words '' Cast me away." When he had read the inscriptions, Arthur was at a loss what to do, and his face grew sad at the thought of throwing away the wonderful sword. But Merlin came to his aid.

"Take the sword and strike!" he counseled. "The time to cast away is yet far off."

And Arthur obeyed.

Chapter II

ARTHUR had scarcely been king an hour before complaints began to pour In upon him. Lords, knights, and ladles besought him to restore lands which had been taken from them, In one way and another, since the death of Uther. The widowed and the fatherless came to him for protection, and prayed him to give them aid In various causes. The King received all who sought him, for he had a kind heart and longed with all his soul to establish order, truth, and justice throughout his realm. But many difficulties plunged him Into a sea of trouble, and he readily saw that he must have a band of faithful helpers.

One of the first acts was to make Sir Kay seneschal of England, according to the promise given to Sir Anton. To him was entrusted, as far as possible, the restoration of all lands to their proper owners. Arthur next remembered some old friends of King Uther's, Sir Baldwin, Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastlas. Sir Baldwin was made Constable of Britain, and Sir Ulfius, Chamberlain; while Sir Brastlas he appointed Warden of the country north of the River Trent. Of course a large part of the land over which these lords were supposed to hold sway was Arthur's realm only In name, as It was ruled by kings who were hostile to him. This land had to be conquered. To conquer it Arthur would need a large army; therefore he conceived the idea of founding an order called The Knights of the Round Table.

These knights were to be chosen from the flower of the land. They were to be brave, true, chivalrous, loyal, ever ready to fight for the right and to champion the cause of the weak. A large number presented themselves at Arthur's call, and he took the

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THE FOUNDING OF THE ROUND TABLE ii

hands of each separately in his own, and, in a voice that trembled, bade the knighted make the following vow :

" To reverence the King as if he were Their conscience, and their conscience as their King, To break the heathen and uphold the Christ, To ride abroad redressing human wrongs, To spealc no slander, no, nor listen to it To honor his own word as if his God's, To lead sweet lives in purest chastity, To love one maiden only, cleave to her, And worship her by years of noble deeds.

Until they won her."

So simple were the words of great authority, so strait were the vows to his majesty, that when the knights rose from kneeling " some were pale as at the passing of a ghost, some flushed, and others dazed, as one who wakes half-blinded at the coming of a light." Then, when he had finished knighting them, the King *' spake, and cheered his Table Round with large, divine, and comfortable words," beyond the power of pen to tell.

As he talked a miracle happened. From eye to eye through all their Order flashed a momentary likeness of the King; and ere it left their faces, through the casement over Arthur came three rays of beautiful light — flame-color, vert (green), and azure, one falling upon each of three fair Queens who stood in silence near his throne."

Just who these three Queens were who attended King Arthur we do not know. Some say that they were the Queen Morgan le Fay, Arthur's sister, the Queen of Northgales, and the Queen of the Waste Lands. But others, and by far the greater number, say that they were mystic Queens sent from heaven to watch over the King, and that they were embodiments of the three cardinal virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity. They always hovered near him; but only rarely were they visible to the eyes of the knights in attendance.

The royal palace and the court of the Knights of the Round Table were to be established at Camelot. To Merlin was entrusted the planning of the castle and the grounds, and the result was more than might have been expected even of a mighty wizard. It was indeed a city of enchantment — " a city of shadowy palaces and stately, rich in emblem and the work of ancient kings who did their days in stone." Here and there pinnacles and spires rose toward heaven, and everywhere were beautiful touches from the hand of Merlin the Mage, who knew all arts.

A great wall was built all about the castle grounds, and the entrance thereto was not like any other gate under heaven:

" For barefoot on the keystone, which was lined And rippled like an ever-fleeting wave, The Lady of the Lake stood : all her dress Wept from her sides as water flowing away; But like the cross her great and goodly arms Stretch'd under all the cornice and upheld : And drops of water fell from either hand ; And down from one a sword was hung, from one A censer, either worn with wind and storm ; And o'er her breast floated the sacred fish; And In the space to left of her, and right, Were Arthur's wars In weird devices done. New things and old co-twIsted, as If Time Were nothing, so Inveterately, that men Were giddy gazing there: and over all High on the top were those three Queens, the friends Of Arthur, who should help him at his need."

Both the castle and wall, however, were many years In the building, and during all this time Arthur and his knights were waging the battle of truth and justice. " And now the Barons and little kings prevailed, and now the King, as here and there the war went swaying." But no enemy of Arthur could long hold out against Excalibur, which was so bright in his eyes that it gave the light of thirty torches; and Arthur's domain widened and lengthened daily, while the pure and noble deeds of the King and his knights uplifted and bettered all with whom they came in contact. Arthur and the noble knights of the Round Table were known far and wide, and everywhere they were both loved and feared.

Perhaps the hardest struggle of all, was that with the Welsh kings and barons. They were most stubborn in their resistance against King Arthur. So, after he had conquered all England and won to himself many true and valiant knights, he went down into Wales and caused a great Feast of the Pentecost to be held in the city of Caerleon, hoping thus to please the people. To this feast came many great kings with large hosts of powerful knights. And Arthur rejoiced, for he thought they had come to do honor to him; and he sent messengers to them with rich presents.

But the kings refused even to look at these, and repulsed the bearers with bitter scorn, saying that they would receive no gifts from a beardless boy of questionable blood. And they sent word to Arthur that they had come to bring him gifts, which they would deliver with sharp swords, betwixt the neck and shoulders. They charged the messengers to say plainly to Arthur that they had come to slay him, for they would never submit to the rule of a mere boy.

Arthur and his lords took counsel together, and decided to entrench themselves In a strong tower which was near at hand. Accordingly, five hundred picked knights were chosen, food was hastily gathered In, and the army fortified behind strong walls. Hardly were they safely settled, when the mighty Army of the Kings besieged them, but all to no purpose, for the strong walls of the tower sheltered them well. For fifteen days the siege lasted; then Merlin came Into the city.

The kings welcomed him gladly, for the old wizard had many times worked powerful charms for them.