第 一百九十七 章 · How a damosel came into the court and desired a knight to

. How a damosel came into the court and desired a knight to

take on him an enquest, which La Cote Male Taile emprised.

Then that same day there came a damosel into the court, and she brought

with her a great black shield, with a white hand in the midst holding a

sword. Other picture was there none in that shield. When King Arthur

saw her he asked her from whence she came and what she would. Sir, she

said, I have ridden long and many a day with this shield many ways, and

for this cause I am come to your court: there was a good knight that

ought this shield, and this knight had undertaken a great deed of arms

to enchieve it; and so it misfortuned him another strong knight met

with him by sudden adventure, and there they fought long, and either

wounded other passing sore; and they were so weary that they left that

battle even hand. So this knight that ought this shield saw none other

way but he must die; and then he commanded me to bear this shield to

the court of King Arthur, he requiring and praying some good knight to

take this shield, and that he would fulfil the quest that he was in.

Now what say ye to this quest? said King Arthur; is there any of you

here that will take upon him to wield this shield? Then was there not

one that would speak one word. Then Sir Kay took the shield in his

hands. Sir knight, said the damosel, what is your name? Wit ye well,

said he, my name is Sir Kay, the Seneschal, that wide-where is known.

Sir, said that damosel, lay down that shield, for wit ye well it

falleth not for you, for he must be a better knight than ye that shall

wield this shield. Damosel, said Sir Kay, wit ye well I took this

shield in my hands by your leave for to behold it, not to that intent;

but go wheresomever thou wilt, for I will not go with you.

Then the damosel stood still a great while and beheld many of those

knights. Then spake the knight, La Cote Male Taile: Fair damosel, I

will take the shield and that adventure upon me, so I wist I should

know whitherward my journey might be; for because I was this day made

knight I would take this adventure upon me. What is your name, fair

young man? said the damosel. My name is, said he, La Cote Male Taile.

Well mayest thou be called so, said the damosel, the knight with the

evil-shapen coat; but an thou be so hardy to take upon thee to bear

that shield and to follow me, wit thou well thy skin shall be as well

hewn as thy coat. As for that, said La Cote Male Taile, when I am so

hewn I will ask you no salve to heal me withal. And forthwithal there

came into the court two squires and brought him great horses, and his

armour, and his spears, and anon he was armed and took his leave. I

would not by my will, said the king, that ye took upon you that hard

adventure. Sir, said he, this adventure is mine, and the first that

ever I took upon me, and that will I follow whatsomever come of me.

Then that damosel departed, and La Cote Male Taile fast followed after.

And within a while he overtook the damosel, and anon she missaid him in

the foulest manner.