said the king.Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone, which I saw fleet above the water, and therein saw Isticking a sword.The king said, I will see that marvel.So all the knights went with him, and when they came unto the river, they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red marble, and therein stack a fair and a rich sword, and in the pomell thereof were precious stones, wrought with subtil letters of gold.Then the barons read the letters, which said in this wise: Never shall man take me hence but only he by whose side I ought to hang, and he shall be the best knight of the world.When the king had seen these letters, he said unto Sir Launcelot, Fair sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be the best knight of the world.Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly: Certes, sir, it is not my sword: also, sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness to set my hand to, for it longed not to hang by my side.Also who that assayeth to take that sword, and falleth of it, he shall receive a wound by that sword, that he shall not be whole long after.And I will that ye wit that this same day will the adventures of the Sancgreal, that is called the holy vessel, begin.
Sir Gawaine tries to draw out the sword but fails.They sit at table and an old man brings in the young knight, Sir Galahad.
Book XIII.Chapter 4.
Then the old man made the young man to unarm him; and he was in a coat of red sendel, and bare a mantle upon his shoulder that was furred with ermine, and put that upon him.And the old knight said unto the young knight, Sir, follow me.And anon he led him unto the siege perilous, where beside sat Sir Launcelot, and the good man lift up the cloth, and found there letters that said thus: This is the siege of Galahad the haut prince.Sir, said the old knight, wit ye well that place is yours.And then he set him down surely in that siege Then all the knights of the Table Round marvelled them greatly of Sir Galahad, that he durst sit there in that siege perilous, and was so tender of age, and wist not from whence he came, but all only by God, and said, This is he by whom the Sancgreal shall be achieved, for there sat never none but he, but he were mischieved.
King Arthur showed the stone with the sword in it to Sir Galahad.
He lightly drew out the sword and put it in his sheath.Then the king had all his knights come together to joust ere they departed.
Book XIII.Chapter 6.
Now, said the king, I am sure at this quest of the Sancgreal shall all ye of the Table Round depart, and never shall I see you again whole together, therefore I will see you all whole together in the meadow of Camelot, to just and to tourney, that after your death men may speak of it, that such good knights were wholly together such a day.As unto that council, and at the king's request, they accorded ill, and took on their harness that longed unto justing.But all this moving of the king was for this intent, for to see Galahad proved, for the king deemed he should not lightly come again unto the court after his departing.So were they assembled in the meadow, both more and less.Then Sir Galahad, by the prayer of the king and the queen, did upon him a noble jesserance, and also he did on his helm, but shield would he take none for no prayer of the king.And then Sir Gawaine and other knights prayed him to take a spear.Right so he did; and the queen was in a tower with all her ladies for to behold that tournament.Then Sir Galahad dressed him in the midst of the meadow, and began to break spears marvellously, that all men had wonder of him, for he there surmounted all other knights, for within a while he had thrown down many good knights of the Table Round save twain, that was Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale.
Book XIII.Chapter 7.
And then the king and all estates went home unto Camelot, and so went to evensong to the great minster.And so after upon that to supper, and every knight sat in his own place as they were toforehand.Then anon they heard cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought the place should all to- drive.In the midst of this blast entered a sun-beam more clearer by seven times than ever they saw day, and all they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost.Then began every knight to behold other, and either saw other by their seeming fairer than ever they saw afore.Not for then there was no knight might speak one word a great while, and so they looked every man on other, as they had been dumb.
Then there entered into the hall the holy Graile covered with white samite, but there was none might see it, nor who bare it.
And there was all the hall full filled with good odours, and every knight had such meats and drinks as he best loved in this world: and when the holy Graile had been borne through the hall, then the holy vessel departed suddenly, that they wist not where it became.Then had they all breath to speak.And then the king yielded thankings unto God of his good grace that he had sent them.Certes, said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu greatly, for that he hath shewed us this day at the reverence of this high feast of Pentecost.Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have been served this day of what meats and drinks we thought on, but one thing beguiled us, we might not see the holy Graile, it was so preciously covered: wherefore I will make here avow, that to-morn, without longer abiding, I shall labour in the quest of the Sancgreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth and a day, or more if need be, and never shall I return again unto the court till I have seen it more openly than it hath been seen here; and if I may not speed, I shall return again as he that may not be against the will of our Lord Jesu Christ.When they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose up the most party, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.
Book XVII.Chapter 20.
