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Chapter IV
Iseewellthykinghathneveryetmetwithaworshipfulman;buttellthatKingArthurwillhavehisheadorhisworshiprightsoon.”
Thenthemessengerdeparted,andArthur,lookingrounduponhisknights,demandedofthemifanythereknewthisKingRyence.“Yea,”answeredSirNoran,“Iknowhimwell,andtherebefewbetterorstrongerknightsuponafieldthanhe;andheispassingproudandhaughtyinhisheart;whereforeIdoubtnot,Lord,hewillmakewarontheewithmightypower.”
“Well,”saidKingArthur,“Ishallbereadyforhim,andthatshallhefind.”
Whilethekingthusspoke,therecameintothehalladamselhavingonamantlerichlyfurred,whichsheletfallandshowedherselftobegirdedwithanoblesword.Thekingbeingsurprisedatthis,said,“Damsel,whereforeartthougirtwiththatsword,foritbeseemeththeenot?”“Sir,”saidshe,“Iwilltellthee.ThisswordwherewithIamthusgirtgivesmegreatsorrowandencumbrance,forImaynotbedeliveredfromittillIfindaknightfaithfulandpureandtrue,strongofbodyandofvaliantdeeds,withoutguileortreachery,whoshallbeabletodrawitfromitsscabbard,whichnomanelsecando.AndIhavebutjustnowcomefromthecourtofKingRyence,fortheretheytoldmemanygreatandgoodknightsweretobeeverfound;butheandallhisknightshavetriedtodrawitforthinvain—fornoneofthemcanmoveit.
