บทที่ บทที่ 406 · How there came a voice which charged Sir Bors to touch

. How there came a voice which charged Sir Bors to touch

him not, and of a cloud that came between them.

And then he heard a voice that said: Flee Bors, and touch him not, or

else thou shalt slay him. Right so alighted a cloud betwixt them in

likeness of a fire and a marvellous flame, that both their two shields

brent. Then were they sore afraid, that they fell both to the earth,

and lay there a great while in a swoon. And when they came to themself,

Bors saw that his brother had no harm; then he held up both his hands,

for he dread God had taken vengeance upon him. With that he heard a

voice say: Bors, go hence, and bear thy brother no longer fellowship,

but take thy way anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale abideth thee

there. Then he said to his brother: Fair sweet brother, forgive me for

God’s love all that I have trespassed unto you. Then he answered: God

forgive it thee and I do gladly.

So Sir Bors departed from him and rode the next way to the sea. And at

the last by fortune he came to an abbey which was nigh the sea. That

night Bors rested him there; and in his sleep there came a voice to him

and bade him go to the sea. Then he stert up and made a sign of the

cross in the midst of his forehead, and took his harness, and made

ready his horse, and mounted upon him; and at a broken wall he rode

out, and rode so long till that he came to the sea. And on the strand

he found a ship covered all with white samite, and he alighted, and

betook him to Jesu Christ. And as soon as he entered into the ship, the

ship departed into the sea, and went so fast that him seemed the ship

went flying, but it was soon dark so that he might know no man, and so

he slept till it was day. Then he awaked, and saw in midst of the ship

a knight lie all armed save his helm. Then knew he that it was Sir

Percivale of Wales, and then he made of him right great joy; but Sir

Percivale was abashed of him, and he asked him what he was. Ah, fair

sir, said Bors, know ye me not? Certes, said he, I marvel how ye came

hither, but if Our Lord brought ye hither Himself. Then Sir Bors smiled

and did off his helm. Then Percivale knew him, and either made great

joy of other, that it was marvel to hear. Then Bors told him how he

came into the ship, and by whose admonishment; and either told other of

their temptations, as ye have heard to-forehand. So went they downward

in the sea, one while backward, another while forward, and everych

comforted other, and oft were in their prayers. Then said Sir

Percivale: We lack nothing but Galahad, the good knight.

_And thus endeth the sixteenth book, which is of Sir Gawaine, Ector de

Maris, and Sir Bors de Ganis, and Sir Percivale. And here followeth the

seven-teenth book, which is of the noble knight Sir Galahad._

BOOK XVII.