Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and the girdle, and pulled at it eagerly, but it failed to yield. "You need not pull so hard," said the damsel. "He who shall draw it will need little strength, but much virtue." "Now try ye, all my barons," said Arthur. "But beware ye be not defiled with shame, treachery, or guile." "That is well advised," said, the damsel, "for none shall draw it but a clean knight without villany, and of gentle birth both by father and mother." Then most of the Knights of the Round Table who were there tried their fortunes, but none succeeded in the magic task. "Alas!" said the damsel, "I hoped to find in this court the best knights upon earth." "By my faith," said Arthur, "the world holds no better knights; but it grieves me to find that none here seem to have the grace or power to draw this sword." It happened that at that time there was a poor knight of Northumberland birth in Arthur's court, Balin by name. He had been held prisoner there more than half a year, for slaying a knight who was cousin to the king, and had just been set free through the good services of some of the barons, who knew that he was not at fault in this deed. When he learned what was being done his heart bade him try his fortune, but he was so poor and so shabbily dressed that he held back in shame. Yet when the damsel took her leave of Arthur and his barons, and was passing from the court, Balin called to her and said,-- "Suffer me, I pray you, to try this venture. Though I am poorly clad, and but ill considered, I feel in my heart that in honor and grace I stand as high as any of those knights." The damsel looked on him with some disdain, and begged him not to put her to useless trouble, for he seemed not the man to succeed where so many of noble guise had failed. "Fair damsel," he replied, "you should well know that worthiness and good qualities do not dwell in attire, but that manhood and virtue lie hidden within man's person, not in his dress; and therefore many a worshipful knight is not known to all people." "You speak wisely," said the damsel. "You shall essay the task, and may fortune befriend you." Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and drew it out with such ease that king and barons alike were filled with wonder, and many of the knights, in spite and jealousy, cried that Balin had done this not by might, but by witchcraft. "He is a good knight," cried the damsel, "the best and worthiest among you all, even if fortune has dealt with him shabbily. Now, gentle and courteous knight, give me the sword again." "No," said Balin, "I have fairly won this sword, and well it pleases me. I shall keep it unless it be taken from me by force." "You are not wise to keep it," said the damsel. "I warn you that if you do so you will slay with the sword your best friend and the man you most love in the world, and that it will be your destruction."