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           ”

           “Godofhismercysendyoudeliverance,”saidKingArthur,andsatturninginhismindhowallthesethingsshouldend,andhowhemighthimselfgainfreedomforsomanynoblehearts.

           Anontherecameadamseltotheking,saying,“Sirifthouwiltfightformylordthoushaltbedeliveredoutofprison,butelsenevermoreshaltthouescapewiththylife.”“Nay,”saidKingArthur,“thatisbutahardchoice,yethadIratherfightthandieinprison,andifImaydelivernotmyselfalone,butalltheseothers,Iwilldothebattle.”“Yea,”saidthedamsel,“itshallbeevenso.”“Then,”saidKingArthur,“Iamreadynow,ifbutIhadahorseandarmour.”“Fearnot,”saidshe,“thatshaltthouhavepresently,andshaltlacknothingproperforthefight.”“HaveInotseenthee,”saidtheking,“atKingArthur’scourt?foritseemeththatthyfaceisknowntome.”“Nay,”saidthedamsel,“Iwasneverthere;IamSirDamas’daughter,andhaveneverbeenbutaday’sjourneyfromthiscastle.”Butshespokefalsely,forshewasoneofthedamselsofMorganleFay,thegreatenchantress,whowasKingArthur’shalf-sister.

           WhenSirDamasknewthattherehadbeenatlengthaknightfoundwhowouldfightforhim,hesentforArthur,andfindinghimamansotallandstrong,andstraightoflimb,hewaspassinglywellpleased,andmadeacovenantwithhim,thatheshouldfightuntotheuttermostforhiscause,andthatalltheotherknightsshouldbedelivered.