الفصل الفصل 60 · How on the way he heard two knights, as he lay by night in

. How on the way he heard two knights, as he lay by night in

a valley, and of their adventures.

And therewith he armed him. So right even afore him there met two

knights, the one came froward Camelot, and the other from the north,

and either saluted other. What tidings at Camelot? said the one. By my

head, said the other, there have I been and espied the court of King

Arthur, and there is such a fellowship they may never be broken, and

well-nigh all the world holdeth with Arthur, for there is the flower of

chivalry. Now for this cause I am riding into the north, to tell our

chieftains of the fellowship that is withholden with King Arthur. As

for that, said the other knight, I have brought a remedy with me, that

is the greatest poison that ever ye heard speak of, and to Camelot will

I with it, for we have a friend right nigh King Arthur, and well

cherished, that shall poison King Arthur; for so he hath promised our

chieftains, and received great gifts for to do it. Beware, said the

other knight, of Merlin, for he knoweth all things by the devil’s

craft. Therefore will I not let it, said the knight. And so they

departed asunder. Anon after Pellinore made him ready, and his lady,

[and] rode toward Camelot; and as they came by the well there as the

wounded knight was and the lady, there he found the knight, and the

lady eaten with lions or wild beasts, all save the head, wherefore he

made great sorrow, and wept passing sore, and said, Alas! her life

might I have saved; but I was so fierce in my quest, therefore I would

not abide. Wherefore make ye such dole? said the lady. I wot not, said

Pellinore, but my heart mourneth sore of the death of her, for she was

a passing fair lady and a young. Now, will ye do by mine advice? said

the lady, take this knight and let him be buried in an hermitage, and

then take the lady’s head and bear it with you unto Arthur. So King

Pellinore took this dead knight on his shoulders, and brought him to

the hermitage, and charged the hermit with the corpse, that service

should be done for the soul; and take his harness for your pain. It

shall be done, said the hermit, as I will answer unto God.