--- title: Opening, part 11 — Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English… · full text with trees description: Opening, part 11, «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Thus Sir Lancelot rode so far into the land that he came nigh to the place where he had heard --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/11/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered in…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/) / Opening, part 11 # Opening, part 11 Opening, part 11 of «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole text, 84 sentences and 2540 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/11/page/2/) Thus Sir Lancelot rode so far into the land that he came nigh to the place where he had heard that the fearful beast had made its lair.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") There did he see many a helm, and spear, and weapon of the knights it had slain, whose bones lay there stripped of flesh, which the monster had devoured; he might well be afraid\![2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") So soon as Lancelot might know where the beast was wont to lie, he made haste thitherward, and so soon as it was ware of his coming it came flying in such guise as it had been the Devil, and set upon Sir Lancelot straightway.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") It feared neither sword nor spear, nor armour, nor might of man.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") And Lancelot smote at the monster so that his spear brake in twain, yet had he not bruised it a whit, or pierced its hide; then he drew forth his sword and smote with great force, but he harmed it not, and it seized Lancelot by the throat and scored him in such wise that the knight was wroth thereof, for it tare a great rent through the hauberk even to the flesh, and wounded him sore.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Many a time did Sir Lancelot strike and smite at the beast, but never a groat might he harm it; but the monster fell upon Sir Lancelot and scored him even to the feet, and dealt him many a wound, and breathed out venom upon him; had it not been for a ring which Sir Lancelot ware upon his finger he had fallen dead where he stood from the poison.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the monster sprang towards him with gaping jaws, as it were fain to swallow him, and Lancelot watched his chance, and thrust his sword into its mouth, and clave the heart in sunder, and the beast gave a cry so terrible that 'twas heard a good two mile off.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the traitor who spied all from afar, when he heard the cry delayed not, but rode swiftly towards the lair, for he knew well from the cry that the monster was slain.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") When he came to the place he found Sir Lancelot sitting, binding up his wounds, which were many and deep.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") The knight began to bemoan his plight, and went towards him saying that he would bind his wounds for him.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") That cowardly and wicked knight, he came even to Sir Lancelot's side, and snatched stealthily at his sword, and sprang backward and smote at him, wounding him so that he fell as one dead.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") When the false traitor saw this he deemed that he was dead, and left him lying, and went there, where the monster lay, and smote off the right foot, thinking to take it to the maiden of whom I have told ye, that he might therewith win her to wife.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") But in this while had Sir Gawain ridden so far that he had learned the truth how that Sir Lancelot had found the beast, and at this time he had followed upon his tracks and came unto the lair even as the traitor had wounded Sir Lancelot, and cut off the foot, and was mounted upon Sir Lancelot's steed, which that good knight, Sir Gawain, knew right well.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") So soon as he saw the stranger upon the steed, and Lancelot, who lay there wounded, he rode fast towards him, and drew out his good sword, and cried, "Abide ye still, Sir Murderer, for this beast have ye slain my comrade, that do I see right well."[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") That false and cruel knight had fain ridden thence, but Sir Gawain was so nigh to him that he could not avoid, and smote at him so fiercely that he must needs abide, and draw bridle, and pray for mercy.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain was of a mind to bring him to Sir Lancelot ere he made terms with him.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus they came together, and Lancelot, who was now recovered from the swoon in which he had lain, and was ware of Sir Gawain, cried to him concerning the traitor who had smitten him all unarmed, "Dear comrade, slay him.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") I shall die the easier, knowing that he be already dead."[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") As he spake thus, Sir Gawain made no more ado but smote off the traitor's head.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Then did he forthwith go to bemoan his comrade, and quoth, "Sir Knight, may ye not be healed?[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me now the truth; I will aid ye as I may."[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Sir Lancelot did him to wit how he had fared with the beast, and how the traitor had thereafter wounded him. "[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") And this hath wrought me the greater harm; yet might I but find a place wherein to rest methinks I might well be healed."[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Then was Sir Gawain glad at heart, and he bound up his wounds forthwith with herbs of such virtue as should stay the bleeding; and he took Sir Lancelot and set him upon his steed, and turned him again towards the hermit's cell as best he might, for 'twas in both their minds that might they but come thither Sir Gawain should surely heal him.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus did they ride until they had found the hermitage, and scarce had they come thither when they were ware of Morien with Sir Gariët and Sir Perceval, who came thither as at that time.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Then was there joy and gladness manifold.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") The Hermit made ready food for his guests, and prepared a couch for Sir Lancelot as best he might.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Each told the other how matters had fallen out with them, and Morien gave them to wit how it had fared with his father.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") That night were they well entreated by the hermit, but the morrow so soon as Sir Lancelot heard how it went with the queen, even should he gain the world thereby he had remained no longer, neither for wounds nor for weariness, for, he said, he was surely healed, and was fain to be at strife.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus must they all ride forth, whether they would or no, with the early morning, for they might not lose a day.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain would tend Sir Lancelot's wounds even as they rode on their way.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus they journeyed till they heard true tidings of their lady, the queen; how that she was beset on all sides by the King of Ireland.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") He had burnt and laid waste so much men scarce knew the tale thereof, and the queen had he beset in a castle to which he himself laid siege.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") For he had sworn a great oath, nor would he lightly break it, that might he win the castle he should spare no man of all that were within, but should put such shame upon them, and on the queen, that men should speak thereof for all time.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus had the king sworn by his crown, and by all that may bind a king, that he would do them bitter shame.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") When the knights of whom I tell ye came into Arthur's land they saw there a castle, around which ran a swift water, broad and deep.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") He who builded that burg was well counselled.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") The castle was of grey hewn stone.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") King Arthur had never a stronghold in the losing of which he had lost so much, and this was not yet lost.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") But the folk that were within had no more than a day's grace left to them, on the morrow must they fare forth, for would they defend it no quarter should be shown them, but they should be seethed or roasted alive.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") This had the king sworn and on the morrow would he come thither; he had laid waste the country and destroyed the churches, and made many widows and orphans; all the land was in terror for the harm thus wrought upon them.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The knights who came thither saw the folk as they fled with all their goods and their foodstuff, they deemed theirs was a lost cause.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") They met many folk, men women and children who would flee the land; they drave their cattle before them and were laden with their goods; some were ahorse, some afoot, 'twas the best they might do to their thinking.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/11/page/2/) - ← previous: [Opening, part 10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/10/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/11/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/)