บทที่ บทที่ 355 · How the letters were found written in the Siege Perilous

. How the letters were found written in the Siege Perilous

and of the marvellous adventure of the sword in a stone.

Now fair sir, said Sir Launcelot, will ye come with me unto the court

of King Arthur? Nay, said he, I will not go with you as at this time.

Then he departed from them and took his two cousins with him, and so

they came unto Camelot by the hour of underne on Whitsunday. By that

time the king and the queen were gone to the minster to hear their

service. Then the king and the queen were passing glad of Sir Bors and

Sir Lionel, and so was all the fellowship. So when the king and all the

knights were come from service, the barons espied in the sieges of the

Round Table all about, written with golden letters: Here ought to sit

he, and he ought to sit here. And thus they went so long till that they

came to the Siege Perilous, where they found letters newly written of

gold which said: Four hundred winters and four and fifty accomplished

after the passion of our Lord Jesu Christ ought this siege to be

fulfilled. Then all they said: This is a marvellous thing and an

adventurous. In the name of God, said Sir Launcelot; and then accompted

the term of the writing from the birth of our Lord unto that day. It

seemeth me said Sir Launcelot, this siege ought to be fulfilled this

same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four hundred and

four and fifty year; and if it would please all parties, I would none

of these letters were seen this day, till he be come that ought to

enchieve this adventure. Then made they to ordain a cloth of silk, for

to cover these letters in the Siege Perilous.

Then the king bade haste unto dinner. Sir, said Sir Kay the Steward, if

ye go now unto your meat ye shall break your old custom of your court,

for ye have not used on this day to sit at your meat or that ye have

seen some adventure. Ye say sooth, said the king, but I had so great

joy of Sir Launcelot and of his cousins, which be come to the court

whole and sound, so that I bethought me not of mine old custom. So, as

they stood speaking, in came a squire and said unto the king: Sir, I

bring unto you marvellous tidings. What be they? said the king. Sir,

there is here beneath at the river a great stone which I saw fleet

above the water, and therein I saw sticking a sword. The king said: I

will see that marvel. So all the knights went with him, and when they

came to the river they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red

marble, and therein stuck a fair rich sword, and in the pommel thereof

were precious stones wrought with subtle 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 the 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 it, for it longed not to hang by my side. Also, who that

assayeth to take the sword and faileth 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 shall the adventures of the Sangreal, that is

called the Holy Vessel, begin.