Chapter Chapter 32 · How Merlin told the adventure of this damosel.

. How Merlin told the adventure of this damosel.

At that time there was a knight, the which was the king’s son of

Ireland, and his name was Lanceor, the which was an orgulous knight,

and counted himself one of the best of the court; and he had great

despite at Balin for the achieving of the sword, that any should be

accounted more hardy, or more of prowess; and he asked King Arthur if

he would give him leave to ride after Balin and to revenge the despite

that he had done. Do your best, said Arthur, I am right wroth with

Balin; I would he were quit of the despite that he hath done to me and

to my court. Then this Lanceor went to his hostelry to make him ready.

In the meanwhile came Merlin unto the court of King Arthur, and there

was told him the adventure of the sword, and the death of the Lady of

the Lake. Now shall I say you, said Merlin; this same damosel that here

standeth, that brought the sword unto your court, I shall tell you the

cause of her coming: she was the falsest damosel that liveth. Say not

so, said they. She hath a brother, a passing good knight of prowess and

a full true man; and this damosel loved another knight that held her to

paramour, and this good knight her brother met with the knight that

held her to paramour, and slew him by force of his hands. When this

false damosel understood this, she went to the Lady Lile of Avelion,

and besought her of help, to be avenged on her own brother.