But Gareth replied that he knew but one rule in fighting and that was to
dash against his foe and overcome him.
dash against his foe and overcome him.
Tennyson
" "You did well Gareth, only you and your
horse were a little weary. "
[Illustration: SHE TENDED HIM AS GENTLY AS A MOTHER. ]
Lynette led them into a glen and a cave where they found pleasant drinks
and meat, and where Gareth fell asleep.
"You have good reason to feel sleepy," cried Lynette. "Sleep soundly and
wake strong. " _And she tended him as gently as a mother_, and watched
over him carefully as he slept.
When Gareth woke Lancelot gave him his own horse and shield to use in
fighting the last awful outlaw, but as they drew near Lynette clutched
at the shield and pleaded with him: "Give it back to Lancelot," said
she. "O curse my tongue that was reviling you so today. He must do the
fighting now. You have done wonders, but you cannot do miracles. You
have thrown three men today and that is glory enough. You will get all
maimed and mangled if you go on now when you are tired. There, I vow you
must not try the fourth. "
But Gareth told her that her sharp words during the day had just spurred
him on to do his best and he said he must not now leave his quest until
he had finished. So Lancelot advised him how best to manage his horse
and his lance, his sword and his shield when meeting a foe that was
stouter than himself, winning with fineness and skill where he lacked in
strength.
But Gareth replied that he knew but one rule in fighting and that was to
dash against his foe and overcome him.
"Heaven help you," cried Lynette, and she made her palfrey halt.
"There! " They were facing the camp of the Knight of Death.
There was a huge black pavilion, a black banner and a black horn. Gareth
blew the horn and heard hollow tramplings to and fro and muffled voices.
Then on a night-black horse, in night-black arms rode forth the dread
warrior. A white breast-bone showed in front. He spoke not a word which
made him the more fearful.
"Fool! " shouted Gareth sturdily. "People say that you have the strength
of ten men; can't you trust to it without depending on these toggeries
and tricks? "
But the Knight of Death said nothing. Lady Lyonors at her castle window
wept, and one of her maids fainted away, and Gareth felt his head
prickling beneath his helmet and Lancelot felt his blood turning cold.
Every one stood aghast.
Then the chargers bounded forward and Gareth struck Death to the ground.
horse were a little weary. "
[Illustration: SHE TENDED HIM AS GENTLY AS A MOTHER. ]
Lynette led them into a glen and a cave where they found pleasant drinks
and meat, and where Gareth fell asleep.
"You have good reason to feel sleepy," cried Lynette. "Sleep soundly and
wake strong. " _And she tended him as gently as a mother_, and watched
over him carefully as he slept.
When Gareth woke Lancelot gave him his own horse and shield to use in
fighting the last awful outlaw, but as they drew near Lynette clutched
at the shield and pleaded with him: "Give it back to Lancelot," said
she. "O curse my tongue that was reviling you so today. He must do the
fighting now. You have done wonders, but you cannot do miracles. You
have thrown three men today and that is glory enough. You will get all
maimed and mangled if you go on now when you are tired. There, I vow you
must not try the fourth. "
But Gareth told her that her sharp words during the day had just spurred
him on to do his best and he said he must not now leave his quest until
he had finished. So Lancelot advised him how best to manage his horse
and his lance, his sword and his shield when meeting a foe that was
stouter than himself, winning with fineness and skill where he lacked in
strength.
But Gareth replied that he knew but one rule in fighting and that was to
dash against his foe and overcome him.
"Heaven help you," cried Lynette, and she made her palfrey halt.
"There! " They were facing the camp of the Knight of Death.
There was a huge black pavilion, a black banner and a black horn. Gareth
blew the horn and heard hollow tramplings to and fro and muffled voices.
Then on a night-black horse, in night-black arms rode forth the dread
warrior. A white breast-bone showed in front. He spoke not a word which
made him the more fearful.
"Fool! " shouted Gareth sturdily. "People say that you have the strength
of ten men; can't you trust to it without depending on these toggeries
and tricks? "
But the Knight of Death said nothing. Lady Lyonors at her castle window
wept, and one of her maids fainted away, and Gareth felt his head
prickling beneath his helmet and Lancelot felt his blood turning cold.
Every one stood aghast.
Then the chargers bounded forward and Gareth struck Death to the ground.
