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Chapter XII
ThentakingwithhimasquirewhomightreturnwithanytidingstoSirGalahad,thekingrodeforth;andbeforehehadgonetwomiles,hesawinafairvalleyahermitage,andaknightwhocameforthdressedinwhitearmour,horseandall,whorodefastagainsthim.Whentheyencountered,BagdemagusbrakehisspearupontheWhiteKnight’sshield,butwashimselfstruckthroughtheshoulderwithasorewound,andhurleddownfromhishorse.ThentheWhiteKnightalighting,cameandtookthewhiteshieldfromtheking,andsaid,“Thouhastdonegreatfolly,forthisshieldoughtnevertobebornebutbyonewhohathnolivingpeer.”Andturningtothesquire,hesaid,“Bearthouthisshieldtothegoodknight,SirGalahad,andgreethimwellfromme.”
“InwhosenameshallIgreethim?”saidthesquire.
“Takethounoheedofthat,”heanswered;“itisnotfortheeoranyearthlymantoknow.”
“Nowtellme,fairsir,attheleast,”saidthesquire,“whymaythisshieldbeneverborneexceptitswearercometoinjuryordeath?”
“Becauseitshallbelongtonomansaveitsrightfulowner,Galahad,”repliedtheknight.
Thenthesquirewenttohismaster,andfoundhimwoundednightodeath,whereforehefetchedhishorse,andborehimbackwithhimtotheabbey.Andtheretheylaidhiminabed,andlookedtohiswounds;andwhenhehadlainmanydaysgrievouslysick,heatthelastbarelyescapedwithhislife.
“SirGalahad,”saidthesquire,“theknightwhooverthrewKingBagdemagussentyougreeting,andbadeyoubearthisshield.
