Chapter XI

           AgainKingArthurheldhighfestivalatCaerleon,atPentecost,andgatheredroundhimallthefellowshipoftheRoundTable,andso,accordingtohiscustom,satandwaitedtillsomeadventureshouldarise,orsomeknightreturntocourtwhosedeedsandperilsmightbetold.

           AnonhesawSirLancelotandacrowdofknightscomingthroughthedoorsandleadingintheirmidstthemightyknight,SirTristram.AssoonasKingArthursawhim,heroseupandwentthroughhalfthehall,andheldoutbothhishandsandcried,“Rightwelcometothee,goodSirTristram,aswelcomeartthouasanyknightthatevercamebeforeintothiscourt.AlongtimehaveIwishedfortheeamongstmyfellowship.”Thenalltheknightsandbaronsroseupwithoneaccordandcamearound,andcriedout,“Welcome.”QueenGuineverecamealso,andmanyladieswithher,andallwithonevoicesaidthesame.

           ThenthekingtookSirTristrambythehandandledhimtotheRoundTableandsaid,“Welcomeagainforoneofthebestandgentlestknightsinalltheworld;achiefinwar,achiefinpeace,achiefinfieldandforest,achiefintheladies’chamber—rightheartilywelcometothiscourt,andmayestthoulongabideinit.”

           WhenhehadsosaidhelookedateveryemptyseatuntilhecametowhathadbeenSirMarhaus’,andtherehefoundwritteningoldletters,“Thisistheseatofthenobleknight,SirTristram.”Whereattheymadehim,withgreatcheerandgladness,aFellowoftheRoundTable.