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Chapter XII
InthemeanwhilecameSirGawaintothecourtandtoldthekinghehadamessagetohimfrombeyondthesea,fromMerlin.
“For,”saidhe,“asIrodethroughtheforestofBroceliandebutfivedayssince,IheardthevoiceofMerlinspeakingtomefromthemidstofanoak-tree,whereat,ingreatamazement,Ibesoughthimtocomeforth.Buthe,withmanygroans,repliedhenevermoremightdoso,forthatnonecouldfreehim,savethedamseloftheLake,whohadenclosedhimtherebyhisownspellswhichhehadtaughther.‘Butgo,’saidhe,‘toKingArthur,andtellhim,thathenowpreparehisknightsandallhisTableRoundtoseektheSangreal,forthetimeiscomewhenitshallbeachieved.’”
WhenSirGawainhadspokenthus,KingArthursatpensiveinspirit,andmuseddeeplyoftheHolyGraleanwhatsaintlyknightshouldcomewhomightachieveit.
Anonhebadethemhastentosetonthebanquet.“Sir,”saidSirKey,theseneschal,“ifyegonowtomeatyewillbreaktheancientcustomofyourcourt,forneverhaveyedinedatthishighfeasttillyehaveseensomestrangeadventure.”
“Thousayesttruly,”saidtheking,“butmymindwasfullofwondersandmusings,tillIbethoughtmenotofmineoldcustom.”
Astheystoodspeakingthus,asquireraninandcried,“Lord,Ibringtheemarvelloustidings.”
“Whatbethey?”saidKingArthur.
