The castle
falls in ruins "through that dolorous stroke." Pellam becomes the
maimed king, who can only be healed by the Holy Grail. Apparently
Celtic myths of obscure antiquity have been adapted in France, and
interwoven with fables about Joseph of Arimathea and Christian
mysteries. It is not possible here to go into the complicated
learning of the subject. In Malory, Balin, after dealing the
dolorous stroke, borrows a strange shield from a knight, and, thus
accoutred, meets his brother Balan, who does not recognise him. They
fight, both die and are buried in one tomb, and Galahad later
achieves the adventure of winning Balin's sword. "Thus endeth the
tale of Balyn and of Balan, two brethren born in Northumberland, good
knights," says Malory, simply, and unconscious of the strange
mythological medley under the coat armour of romance.
The materials, then, seemed confused and obdurate, but Tennyson works
them into the course of the fatal love of Lancelot and Guinevere, and
into the spiritual texture of the Idylls. Balin has been expelled
from Court for the wildness that gives him his name, Balin le
Sauvage. He had buffeted a squire in hall. He and Balan await all
challengers beside a well. Arthur encounters and dismounts them.
Balin devotes himself to self-conquest. Then comes tidings that
Pellam, of old leagued with Lot against Arthur, has taken to
religion, collects relics, claims descent from Joseph of Arimathea,
and owns the sacred spear that pierced the side of Christ.
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