Kabanata Kabanata 360 · How the queen desired to see Galahad; and how after, all

. How the queen desired to see Galahad; and how after, all

the knights were replenished with the Holy Sangreal, and how they

avowed the enquest of the same.

Then the king, at the queen’s request, made him to alight and to unlace

his helm, that the queen might see him in the visage. When she beheld

him she said: Soothly I dare well say that Sir Launcelot begat him, for

never two men resembled more in likeness, therefore it nis no marvel

though he be of great prowess. So a lady that stood by the queen said:

Madam, for God’s sake ought he of right to be so good a knight? Yea,

forsooth, said the queen, for he is of all parties come of the best

knights of the world and of the highest lineage; for Sir Launcelot is

come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, and Sir

Galahad is of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, therefore I

dare say they be the greatest gentlemen of the world.

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 sunbeam 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 Grail covered with

white samite, but there was none might see it, nor who bare it. And

there was all the hall fulfilled with good odours, and every knight had

such meats and drinks as he best loved in this world. And when the Holy

Grail 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 to 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 Grail, 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 Sangreal, 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 part and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made. Anon as King

Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for he wist well they

might not again-say their avows. Alas, said King Arthur unto Sir

Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me with the avow and promise that ye have

made; for through you ye have bereft me the fairest fellowship and the

truest of knighthood that ever were seen together in any realm of the

world; for when they depart from hence I am sure they all shall never

meet more in this world, for they shall die many in the quest. And so

it forthinketh me a little, for I have loved them as well as my life,

wherefore it shall grieve me right sore, the departition of this

fellowship: for I have had an old custom to have them in my fellowship.