It’s okay that Chretien doesn’t identify me at first. I’m used to it – I actually prefer it. Do you know how hard it is to get around and live a life with a name so popular as mine? I can never have just a simple joust; as soon as they hear my name, one of two things happen: either my opponent immediately backs down, or every man looking to make his name known shows up. Take that cretin Meleagant. Although he didn’t know who I was at first, he immediately set a vendetta against me in the fair name of my most beloved queen.
Never will a man besmirch my queen’s name and live to tell about it. Although I do hold honor in the highest regard, nothing compares to my adored queen. My heart is not mine; my eyes are not my own; my soul is not in my keeping. These are only a few of the possessions my dear lady holds in the palm of her hand.
Oh to live the life of a man whose name and heart were his own. Twas so long ago I can barely remember what I would be like. Don’t make the mistake that I wish I were back in those days. The only thing that I could wish for, the only thing that could make my life more whole, were if my lady were my own. But alas, tis not to be. I cannot even wish ill upon my king. Woe is me.
4 comments:
Sir,
Oh, how this new generation of knights pales in comparison to the men of Arthur's hall in my day. You say that the "tournament life" has got you down? Chasing your true love across the countryside, slaying a handful of varlets along the way has taxed your resolve?
This is what comes of decadence and courtesy. A castle full of emasculated knights. These Norman sensibilities are ruining the good thing we had running. Arthur won't even sally forth to dispatch a wandering knight who had the bad manners to interrupt dinner. Back in my day he used to kill giants. God as my witness, this madness has even got Gawain talking to people. Gawain never talked to people, he just ate roast swine, drank meade, and killed people. Lots of people. Hundreds of people. None of this "one on one in honorable combat" stuff. We used to take them on dozens at a time.
At least it was good to see that Kay was old school. Once, Kay and I rode on a salmon's shoulders...
into a fortress teaming with enemies...
to rescue a guy who might have been a wizard...
before killing a few giants and chasing wild boars just to get Arthur's cousin's kid laid. Salmon don't even have shoulders. We still did it anyway.
If you want to cut yourself, posture like it's no big deal, and then try to hang yourself when the girl, (who's already seeing someone else,) snubs you, it's your life. I'm just saying that if you've got girl problem's I feel bad for you son, I got nintey-nine problems but a wench accounts for none of them*.
Yrs. Hmbly.,
Bedwyr
P.S. - Tell your foster Mom I'll be around later to throw her a sword.
*Various wild dogs, giants, bearded warriors, and huge set-piece battles account collectively for 98 of them. My missing hand is the 99th.
Sir, I insist you cease this dishonorable trysting with the Queen at once. It vexes me ceaselessly that such shame is cast so ignobly upon my King. That you both carry on in this manner in secret amounts to no less than unspeakable treachery!
I fear it is as good Sir Bedwyr has said: This Court of Knights has lost its way. Hedonism and sloth, as well as "courtesy", as Bedwyr puts it, have facilitated the decline of valor and honor. Where is the balance of valor and courtly manners? Where did your loyalty go, Sir Lancelot? Your honor? Can you even bring yourself to sit at our King's Table?
This business with Guinevere aside, your courageous past deeds are noble and many, and have my admiration. You should not abandon the Great Ideals of Knighthood so rashly, and for such an illicit affair. Though it cost me my place at the Round Table, I never cast off The Noble Ideal. Nor should you - 'tis such a shame and a waste.
Do not be so hard on thyself, fair Lancelot. You are a man of incredible deeds, strength, love, and skill. You are the strongest warrior of Arthur's court who - dare I say! - even our King would find a powerful and dangerous opponent in a duel!!
Do not lament the burden your fame brings, for it offers you a duty that few have ever held: the duty to protect others, and to inspire the weak and scared to show their bravery, swept up in the aura of your power.
You are a unique man, Lancelot, in that, unlike the tyrant kings and emperors of the Saxons and Romans and the like, you do not use your power and influence to harm others, or to conquer kingdoms and lands and subject the people to your will. It was one said by the great wizard Behnjamyn Parkman, adviser to the ancient Spider King, 'Forth from a grand power grows a grand responsibility.'
And though you may see your responsibility as a burden and a curse, try to adopt the lens that I have provided you to see through. Perhaps you will come to love what you have; for worthy of love it is.
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