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Chapter XII
ForthiswastheswordofDavid,KingofIsrael,andSolomonhissonmadeforitthismarvellouspommelandthiswondroussheath,andlaiditonthisbedtillthoushouldestcomeandtakeitup;andthoughbeforetheesomehavedaredtoraiseit,yethavetheyallbeenmaimedorwoundedfortheirdaring.”
“Where,”saidSirGalahad,“shallwefindagirdleforit?”
“Fairsir,”saidshe,“dismayyounot;”andtherewithtookfromoutaboxagirdle,noblywroughtwithgoldenthread,setfullofpreciousstonesandwitharichgoldbuckle.“Thisgirdle,lords,”saidshe,“ismadeforthemostpartofmineownhair,which,whileIwasyetintheworld,Ilovedfullwell;butwhenIknewthatthisadventurewasordainedme,Icutoffandwoveasyenowsee.”
ThentheyallprayedSirGalahadtotakethesword,andsoanonhegrippeditinhisfingers;andthemaidengirtitroundhiswaist,saying,“NowreckInotthoughIdie,forIhavemadetheetheworthiestknightofalltheworld.”
“Fairdamsel,”saidSirGalahad,“yehavedonesomuchthatIshallbeyourknightallthedaysofmylife.”
Thentheshipsailedagreatwayonthesea,andbroughtthemtolandneartheCastleofCarteloise.Whentheywerelandedcameasquireandaskedthem,“BeyeofKingArthur’scourt?”
“Weare,”saidthey.
“Inanevilhourareyecome,”saidhe,andwentbackswiftlytothecastle.
Withinawhiletheyheardagreathornblow,andsawamultitudeofwell-armedknightscomeforth,whobadethemyieldordie.
