第 四十四 章 · How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a knight that

. How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a knight that

would have slain himself for love.

Then Merlin came thither and took up Balin, and gat him a good horse,

for his was dead, and bade him ride out of that country. I would have

my damosel, said Balin. Lo, said Merlin, where she lieth dead. And King

Pellam lay so, many years sore wounded, and might never be whole till

Galahad the haut prince healed him in the quest of the Sangreal, for in

that place was part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, that Joseph

of Arimathea brought into this land, and there himself lay in that rich

bed. And that was the same spear that Longius smote our Lord to the

heart; and King Pellam was nigh of Joseph’s kin, and that was the most

worshipful man that lived in those days, and great pity it was of his

hurt, for through that stroke, turned to great dole, tray and tene.

Then departed Balin from Merlin, and said, In this world we meet never

no more. So he rode forth through the fair countries and cities, and

found the people dead, slain on every side. And all that were alive

cried, O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these countries; for

the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King Pellam three countries are

destroyed, and doubt not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the

last. When Balin was past those countries he was passing fain.

So he rode eight days or he met with adventure. And at the last he came

into a fair forest in a valley, and was ware of a tower, and there

beside he saw a great horse of war, tied to a tree, and there beside

sat a fair knight on the ground and made great mourning, and he was a

likely man, and a well made. Balin said, God save you, why be ye so

heavy? tell me and I will amend it, an I may, to my power. Sir knight,

said he again, thou dost me great grief, for I was in merry thoughts,

and now thou puttest me to more pain. Balin went a little from him, and

looked on his horse; then heard Balin him say thus: Ah, fair lady, why

have ye broken my promise, for thou promisest me to meet me here by

noon, and I may curse thee that ever ye gave me this sword, for with

this sword I slay myself, and pulled it out. And therewith Balin stert

unto him and took him by the hand. Let go my hand, said the knight, or

else I shall slay thee. That shall not need, said Balin, for I shall

promise you my help to get you your lady, an ye will tell me where she

is. What is your name? said the knight. My name is Balin le Savage. Ah,

sir, I know you well enough, ye are the Knight with the Two Swords, and

the man of most prowess of your hands living. What is your name? said

Balin. My name is Garnish of the Mount, a poor man’s son, but by my

prowess and hardiness a duke hath made me knight, and gave me lands;

his name is Duke Hermel, and his daughter is she that I love, and she

me as I deemed. How far is she hence? said Balin. But six mile, said

the knight. Now ride we hence, said these two knights. So they rode

more than a pace, till that they came to a fair castle well walled and

ditched. I will into the castle, said Balin, and look if she be there.

So he went in and searched from chamber to chamber, and found her bed,

but she was not there. Then Balin looked into a fair little garden, and

under a laurel tree he saw her lie upon a quilt of green samite and a

knight in her arms, fast halsing either other, and under their heads

grass and herbs. When Balin saw her lie so with the foulest knight that

ever he saw, and she a fair lady, then Balin went through all the

chambers again, and told the knight how he found her as she had slept

fast, and so brought him in the place there she lay fast sleeping.