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Chapter V
Atlastheranintoachamberwondrousrichlydecked,wherewasabedalldressedwithclothofgold,therichestthatcouldbethoughtof,andonewholayquitestillwithinthebed;andbythebedsidestoodatableofpuregoldborneonfoursilverpillars,andonthetablestoodamarvellousspear,strangelywrought.
WhenSirBalinsawthespearheseizeditinhishand,andturneduponKingPelles,andsmoteathimsofiercelyandsosorethathedroppedswooningtotheground.
ButatthatDolorousandawfulStrokethecastlerockedandrovethroughout,andallthewallsfellcrashedandbreakingtotheearth,andBalinhimselffellalsointheirmidst,struckasitweretostone,andpowerlesstomoveahandorfoot.Andsothreedayshelayamidsttheruins,untilMerlincameandraisedhimupandbroughthimagoodhorse,andbadehimrideoutofthatlandasswiftlyashecould.
“MayInottakethedamselwithmeIbroughthither?”saidSirBalin.
“Lo!wheresheliethdead,”saidMerlin.“Ah,littleknowestthou,SirBalin,whatthouhastdone;forinthiscastleandthatchamberwhichthoudidstdefile,wasthebloodofourLordChrist!andalsothatmostholycup—theSangreal—wherefromthewinewasdrunkatthelastsupperofourLord.JosephofArimatheabroughtittothisland,whenfirsthecameheretoconvertandsaveit.Andonthatbedofgolditwashimselfwholay,andtnestrangespearbesidehimwasthespearwherewiththesoldierLongussmoteourLord,whichevermorehaddrippedwithblood.
