* * * * * GALAHAD IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS So when they were served and all the sieges fulfilled, save only the Siege Perilous, anon there came in a good old man, and an ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no knight knew from whence he came. And with him he brought a young knight, both on foot, in red arms, without sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side. And these words he said: "Peace be with you fair lords." Then the old man said unto Arthur: "Sir, I bring here a young knight, the which is of king's lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of Arimathie, whereby the marvels of this court, and of strange realms, shall be fully accomplished." The King was right glad of his words, and said unto the good man: "Sir, ye be right welcome, and the young knight with you." Then the old man made the young knight to unarm him, and he was in a coat of red sandal, and bare a mantle upon his shoulder that was furred with ermine, and put that upon him. And the old knight said unto the young knight: "Sir, follow me." And anon he led him unto the Siege Perilous, where beside sat Sir Launcelot; and the good man lift up the cloth, and found these letters that said thus: "This is the siege of Sir Galahad, the haut[6] prince." [Footnote 6: _Haut_ is an old form of _haughty_] "Sir," said the old knight, "wit ye well that place is yours." And then he set him down surely in that siege. And then he said to the old man: "Sir, ye may now go your way, for well have ye done that ye were commanded to do." So the good man departed. Then all the knights of the Round Table marveled greatly of Sir Galahad, that he durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so tender of age; and wist not from whence he came, but all only by God; and said, "This is he by whom the Sangreal shall be achieved, for there never sat none but he, but he were mischieved."[7] [Footnote 7: That is, _harmed_.] Then came King Arthur unto Galahad and said: "Sir, ye be welcome, for ye shall move many good knights to the quest of the Sangreal, and ye shall achieve that never knights might bring to an end." * * * * * GALAHAD DRAWS THE SWORD OF BALIN LE SAVAGE Then the King took him by the hand, and went down from the palace to shew Galahad the adventures of the stone. "Sir," said the King unto Sir Galahad, "here is a great marvel as I ever saw, and right good knights have assayed and failed." "Sir," said Galahad, "that is no marvel, for this adventure is not theirs but mine; and for the surety of this sword I brought none with me, for here by my side hangeth the scabbard." And anon he laid his hand on the sword, and lightly drew it out of the stone, and put it in the sheath, and said unto the King, "Now it goeth better than it did aforehand." "Sir," said the King, "a shield God shall send you."