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Chapter XII
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Sotheyrodetohishermitagetogether,andthereheprayedSirBorstoabidethatnight,andanontheywentintothechapel,andSirBorswasconfessed.Andtheyeatbreadanddrankwatertogether.
“Now,”saidthehermit,“IpraytheeeatnootherfoodtillthousitatthetablewheretheSangrealshallbe.”TheretoSirBorsagreed.
“Also,”saidthehermit,“itwerewisethatyeshouldwearasackclothgarmentnextyourskin,forpenance;”andinthisalsodidSirBorsashewascounselled.Andafterwardshearmedhimselfandtookhisleave.
Thenrodeheonwardsallthatday,andasherodehesawapassinggreatbirdsitinanolddrytree,whereonnoleaveswereleft;andmanylittlebirdslayroundthegreatone,nighdeadwithhunger.Thendidthebigbirdsmitehimselfwithhisownbill,andbledtillhediedamongsthislittleones,andtheyrecoveredlifeindrinkinguphisblood.WhenSirBorssawthisheknewitwasatoken,androdeonfullofthought.Andabouteventidehecametoatower,wheretoheprayedadmission,andhewasreceivedgladlybytheladyofthecastle.Butwhenasupperofmanymeatsanddaintieswassetbeforehim,herememberedhisvow,andbadeasquiretobringhimwater,andthereinhedippedhisbread,andate.
Thensaidthelady,“SirBors,Ifearyelikenotmymeat.”
“Yea,truly,”saidhe;“Godthankthee,madam;butImayeatnoothermeatthisday.”
Aftersuppercameasquire,andsaid,“Madam,bethinktheetoprovideachampionfortheeto-morrowforthetourney,orelseshallthysisterhavethycastle.
