"What be they?" said the King. "Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone which I saw fleet[4] above the water, and therein I saw sticking a sword." [Footnote 4: _Fleet_ here means _float_.] 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 in 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,[5] that is called the Holy Vessel, begin." [Footnote 5: The Holy Grail (Graal) was the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. It is said to have been carved from an emerald, and to have been used by Joseph of Arimathea to catch the last drops of blood from the body of Christ when he was taken down from the cross. The legend continues that Joseph carried the cup to Britain. The grail would not stay in possession of any one unless he were pure and unsullied in character. In the time of King Arthur, one of the descendants of Joseph sinned, and the holy vessel disappeared and was lost. Only the pure could look upon the holy chalice, and so although many of the knights sought it, but one achieved it. _Sangreal_ is the old French for _Holy Grail_.] "Now, fair nephew," said the King unto Sir Gawaine, "assay ye, for my love." "Sir," said Gawaine, "your commandment will I obey." And therewith he took the sword up by the handles, but he might not stir it. "I thank you," said the King to Sir Gawaine. "My lord, Sir Gawaine," said Sir Launcelot, "now wit ye well this sword shall touch you so sore that ye shall will ye had never set your hand thereto for the best castle of this realm." "Sir," he said, "I might not withsay mine uncle's will and commandment." But when the King heard this he repented it much, and said unto Sir Percivale, that he should assay for his love. And he said, "Gladly, for to bear Sir Gawaine fellowship." And therewith he set his hand on the sword and drew it strongly, but he might not move it. Then there were more that durst be so hardy to set their hands thereto. So the King and all went unto the court, and every knight knew his own place, and set him therein, and young men that were knights served them.