Chapter V

           NowtherewasaknightatthecourtmoreenviousthantheothersofSirBalin,forhecountedhimselfoneofthebestknightsinBritain.HisnamewasLancear;andgoingtotheking,hebeggedleavetofollowafterSirBalinandavengetheinsulthehadputuponthecourt.“Dothybest,”repliedtheking,“forIampassingwrothwithBalin.”

           InthemeantimecameMerlin,andwastoldofthisadventureoftheswordandladyofthelake.

           “Nowhearme,”saidhe,“whenItellyethatthisladywhohathbroughttheswordisthefalsestdamselliving.”

           “Saynotso,”theyanswered,“forshehathabrotheragoodknight,whoslewanotherknightthisdamselloved;soshe,toberevengeduponherbrother,wenttotheLadyLile,ofAvilion,andbesoughtherhelp.ThenLadyLilegaveherthesword,andtoldherthatnomanshoulddrawitforthbutone,avaliantknightandstrong,whoshouldavengeheronherbrother.This,therefore,wasthereasonwhythedamselcamehere.”“Iknowitallaswellasyedo,”answeredMerlin;“andwouldtoGodshehadnevercomehither,fornevercamesheintoanycompanybuttodoharm;andthatgoodknightwhohathachievedtheswordshallbehimselfslainbyit,whichshallbegreatharmandloss,forabetterknighttherelivethnot;andheshalldountomylordthekinggreathonourandservice.”

           ThenSirLancear,havingarmedhimselfatallpoints,mounted,androdeafterSirBalin,asfastashecouldgo,andovertakinghim,hecriedaloud,“Abide,Sirknight!waityetawhile,orIshallmaketheedoso.