Quote #20

Malory's description of himself as 'the servant of Jesu both day and night' has been assumed to imply that he was a priest, but his description of himself as a 'knight' confutes the suggestion. Pious ejaculation at the conclusion of their labours is characteristic of medieval authors.

More from Thomas Malory

  1. In our forefathers' time...few books were read in our tongue, saving certain books of Chivalry...as one for example, Morte Arthure: the who…
  2. For herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and …
  3. Thou Sir Launcelot, there thou liest, that thou were never matched of earthly knight's hand. And thou were the courteoust knight that ever …
  4. Caxton Edition, in Middle English at the University of Michigan
  5. Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not greatly, but sighed.
  6. For as well as I have loved thee, mine heart will not serve me to see thee, for through thee and me is the flower of kings and knights dest…
  7. Through this man (Launcelot) and me (Guenever) hath all this war been wrought, and the death of the most noblest knights of the world; for …
  8. I shall curse you with book and bell and candle.

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