Chapter X

           AgainKingArthurheldtheFeastofPentecost,withalltheTableRound,andafterhiscustomsatinthebanquethall,beforebeginningmeat,waitingforsomeadventure.Thencametheretothekingasquireandsaid,“Lord,nowmayyegotomeat,forhereadamselcomethwithsomestrangeadventure.”Sothekingwasglad,andsatdowntomeat.

           Anonthedamselcameinandsalutedhim,prayinghimforsuccour.“Whatwiltthou?”saidtheking.“Lord,”answeredshe,“mymistressisaladyofgreatrenown,butisatthistimebesiegedbyatyrant,whowillnotsufferhertogooutofhercastle;andbecausehereinthycourttheknightsarecalledthenoblestintheworld,Icometopraytheeforthysuccour.”“Wheredwellethyourlady?”answeredtheking.“Whatishername,andwhoishethathathbesiegedher?”“Forhername,”repliedthedamsel,“asyetImaynottellit;butsheisaladyofworshipandgreatlands.ThetyrantthatbesiegethherandwastethherlandsiscalledtheRedKnightoftheRedlands.”“Iknowhimnot,”saidArthur.“ButIknowhim,lord,”saidSirGawain,“andheisoneofthemostperilousknightsinalltheworld.Mensayhehaththestrengthofseven;andfromhimImyselfoncehardlyescapedwithlife.”“Fairdamsel,”saidtheking,“therebeheremanyknightsthatwouldgladlydotheiruttermosttorescueyourlady,butunlessyetellmehername,andwhereshedwelleth,noneofmyknightsshallgowithyoubymyleave.