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Chapter XII
“Here”saidhe,“isasgreatamarvelasIeversaw,andrightgoodknightshavetriedandfailedtogainthatsword.”
“Imarvelnotthereat,”saidGalahad,“forthisadventureisnottheirs,butmine;andforthecertaintyIhadthereof,Ibroughtnoswordwithme,asthoumaystseeherebythisemptyscabbard.”
Anonhelaidhishanduponthesword,andlightlydrewitfromthestone,andputitinhissheath,andsaid,“Thisswordwasthatenchantedonewhicherstbelongedtothegoodknight,SirBalin,wherewithheslewthroughpiteousmistakehisbrotherBalan;whoalsoslewhimatthesametime:allwhichgreatwoebefellhimthroughthedolorousstrokehegavemygrandsire,KingPelles,thewoundwhereofisnotyetwhole,norshallbetillIhealhim.”
Ashestoodspeakingthus,theysawaladyridingswiftlydowntheriver’sbanktowardsthem,onawhitepalfrey;who,salutingthekingandqueen,said,“Lordking,Nacienthehermitsendeththeewordthattotheeshallcometo-daythegreatesthonourandworshipthathathyeteverbefallenakingofBritain;forthisdayshalltheSangrealappearinthyhouse.”
Withthatthedamseltookherleave,anddepartedthesamewayshecame.
“Now,”saidtheking,“Iknowthatfromto-daythequestoftheSangrealshallbegin,andallyeoftheRoundTablewillbescatteredsothatnevermoreshallIseeyeagaintogetherasyearenow;letmethenseeajoustandtournamentamongstyeforthelasttimebeforeyego.
