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Chapter V
Thenwhentheyhadthustalked,KingArthurtoldSirBalinofthesullenknightthathadjustpassedhistent,anddesiredhimtopursuehimandtobringhimback.
SoSirBalinrodeandovertooktheknightinaforestwithadamsel,andsaid,“Sirknight,thoumustcomebackwithmeuntomylord,KingArthur,totellhimthecauseofthysorrow,whichthouhastrefusedevennowtodo.”
“ThatwillInot,”repliedtheknight,“foritwouldharmmemuch,anddohimnoadvantage.”
“Sir,”saidSirBalin,“Ipraytheemakeready,forthoumustneedsgowithme—orelseImustfightwiththeeandtaketheebyforce.”
“Wiltthoubewarrantforsafeconduct,ifIgowiththee?”inquiredtheknight.
“Yea,surely,”answeredBalin,“Iwilldieelse.”
SotheknightmadereadytogowithSirBalin,andleftthedamselinthewood.
Butastheywent,therecameoneinvisible,andsmotetheknightthroughthebodywithaspear.“Alas,”criedSirHerleus(forsowashenamed),“Iamslainunderthyguardandconduct,bythattraitorknightcalledGarlon,whothroughmagicandwitchcraftridethinvisibly.Take,therefore,myhorse,whichisbetterthanthine,andridetothedamselwhomweleft,andthequestIhadinhand,asshewillleadthee—andrevengemydeathwhenthoubestmayest.”
“ThatwillIdo,”saidSirBalin,“bymyknighthood,andsoIsweartothee.”
ThenwentSirBalintothedamsel,androdeforthwithher;shecarryingeverwithherthetruncheonofthespearwherewithSirHerleushadbeenslain.
