Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-20
THE MORTE D'ARTHUR
A STUDY OF SIR THOMAS MAlLORY's
FASCINATING WORK.
The knights of the Round-rabie and Their
IIiustrious Chisf-Launceiota and
Guinevere. sc.
fFor the Dlspatch.l

A yoluminous and abstruse work entitled
"Studies in the Arthurian Legends" by
Professor Rhys, Of Oxford. has recently
appeared. Being less consideration OF
the Legends than very learned and valu-
able disquisition on Celtic philology and a
comparison of remote and puzzling myths.
il may possibly he little difficult for the
general reader. II Is TO DO hoped, how
ever. that it will suggest more universal
interest in what is such easy and fasci.
mating reading-the "Morte DArthur OF
Sir Thomas Mallory. now so little known
strangely enough, except to students.
II is from this rich source OF romance
and chivalry that Tennyson has drawn the
stories for his exquisite Idyls OF the King ;
Swipburne his most beautiful, albeit too
warmly colOred Tristram of Lyonesse,
and Matthew Arnold his Tristran and
Iseult. In the Arthurian Legends wagner
found the theme for the thrilling, sensuous
music of his Tristram and lsould, ana
also for Parsifal. the noblest and
last of his tone-poems. We owe the Morte
Darthur; to Sir Thomas Mallory and to
Caxton, the first English printer. Sir
Thomas Mallory found his materials in Old
romances. Welsh. English, and French
and skilfully combined them TO form
continuous and vivid history of King Ar
thur and his court. From the heroic heau
TO the youngest knight of the round table,
each figure is distinct type intensely real
and strongly individual in character.
THE ILLusTRIoUs NAME OF ARTHUR.
II ispot orr purpose TO follow the his
tory of the various editions OF mallory
book to enter upon discussion o. lne
geography of King Arthurs realm, or to
decide what is real and What Is iaouiouS
in the accounts of his wars.
We do not hold with the skeptics. how
ever. but prefer to believe Glboon. VINO
says: r1 H., .bo
illustrious name of Arthur, the heredl-
tary prince Of the Sllures, and the elective
king or general of the nation, ACCORDING
10 the most rational account he defeated
in twelve successive battles the Angles OF
the North and the Saxons of the west,
but the declining age of the hero was en-
FILTERED by popular ingratitude and 40
nestle misfortunes."
During period of five hundred years
the traditions OF his exploits were pre-
served. The pride and curiosity OF the
Norman conquerors prompted them 70 en-
ouire into the ancient history OF britain :
they listened with fond credulity TO the
tale of Arthur. and eagerly applauded
prince who had trIumphed over the Saxon
their common enemy.
KNIGHTS OF THE TABLE ROUND.
HIS romance, transcribed INTO the Latin
of Jeffrey of Monmouth and afterwards
. Ln fog
The times. was enriched with the various
though incoherent ornaments which were
familiar 10 the experience, the learning, or
the fancy of the twelfth century.
Every nation embraced and adorned the
popular romance OF Arthur and the
knights of the Round Table: their names
were celebrated in Greece and Italy, ana
the voluminous tales of Sir Launcelot ana
Sir Trlstram were devoutly studied Dy
princes and mobiles. At length the lght or
science and of reason was refunded, and
by natural though unjust reverse OF
public opinion the severity OF the present
ACE is inclined to question the existence OF
Arthur. ,
Ii will not be uninteresting TO scan. the
portraits of some of the brilliant and ro-
mantle figures that crowd the pages OF tho
More Dgrthur and TO understand tire
purpose Of the Table Round. Inc hlng
charged his knights never 10 90 outrage
nor murder. aad always TO flee treason,
and also by no means to be cruel, out 10
GIVE mercy unto him that asketh mercy
nnon pain of forfeiture of their worship
(hopourl and lordship forever. and always
10 do ladies'. damsels, and gentlewomen
succour upon pam of death And that no
man take no battles IN q wrongful
quarrel. for no law, nor for world s
goods. Unto this We're all the
knights sworn, both old and young and
every year they were sworn at the hlgh
feast OF Pentecost. And there were great
feasts unto knights and dukes, ana revel,
ness was used; and he that was courteous,
trne. and faithful TO his friend was that
time cherished
Note the different types among the
knights-the rough, good-natured Sir nay,
with his practical Jokes: SIR Lanorak,
foremost in valor and loyal IN friendship;
Sir Palimedes the Saracen, nerce hghter,
and uncompromislng Zoe.
Sir Dinadan. not overstrong physicaiy,
but ever readyin a Just quarrel Ana al
the court was glad OF Sir Dlnedan, for he
was gentle, wise, and courteous, ana Il
good knight"
said SIR Tristram (of Dinadan): He is
the best Joker and Jester. and noble
knight and the best fellow that know"
But ever he scoiied at love. " marvel
at lovers. What aileth them TO be so mad
For the Joy of love Is too short, and the
sorrow thereof, and what cometh thereof
dureth too long"
LAUSCKLoT AND TRIsrRAM.
But towering above all are the splendid
peerless knlghts-Sir Launceiot du Lake
and Sir Iristram of Lyonesse. Sir Launce.
lot had the greatest name OF any knight III
the world, and most he was honored OF
high and low. All that Sir Launcelot did
was of his great gentleness and courtesy.
Said Sir Irlstram Sir Launceiot Is peer
less of courtesy and Of knighthood.' - He
is proved the most man OF worship In the
world" declared Sir Lamarak. Not any
king. Christian nor heather, may Ind
such knight. for to speak or his noble
ness and courtesy, with his beauty anu his
gentleness," said Sir Bors, himself one OF
the loveliest Of ell the noble brotherhood
For proves and beauty and strength,
Sir Iristram was unequalled, save only by
Sir Launcelot. and he was besides mas
ter singer and an accomplished harpis';
"Ho was the best chaser OF the world and
the noblest blower of an horn In all mea-
sures. OF Sir TrIstram we had first all the
good terms of hawking and of hunting
All manner of gentlemen have cause 10 the
worlds end 10 praise Sir Iristram and &c
pray for has soul" :,
The friendship between the noble
knights Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristran
was very close and sweet. 1t was al Sil
Launcelot's favorite castle OF Joyous Care
that Sir Iristram lived in great gayety and
splendor with La Beale lsoud" during
the period of his Punishment from Corn
wall.
In the story of Sir Pelleas, Tennyson has
used an unpleasant episode for his poem
and has not carried his hero on 10 bis mar
riage and the long and happy life that fol
lowed. "Slr Pelleas was worshipfu
knight. and one OF the four that achieved
the Sangreal.
TENSYsoS's HERO.
Tennyson's chosen hero is King Arthur
but he makes him so high, self-contained
andpassiOnless" that he seems rather color
less, ana one does not wonder at the Queen
petulant exclamation: - He is all fault whC
hath no fault at all" IN the old book hs
is always the blameless king" the self
less, stainless gentleman" but he gains
color and reality. He Is the model for all thC
knights, and they render him an absolut,
devotion. Constantly melting them tC
deeds Of chivalry. giving counsel 20 the
younger ones, occasionally breaking q
lance with the older and more
experienced warriors. unsusplciou'
az evil deaf 10 the whisper,