In Arthur's Court there dwelt a poor knight named Balin, who had accidentally killed the cousin of King Arthur, and had been taken to the court of the king for trial. He had lived there almost as a prisoner for six months, until it was decided that he had not meant to do wrong. All his money was gone, and his clothes and armor were poor. He was sorry for this, but he was still more sorry that he was not doing brave deeds like the other knights. One day when he sat in the great hall at Camelot, looking at the shields which were carved or covered with gold, a damsel entered who wore a rich mantle, trimmed with fur. As Arthur and the knights looked at her, she let it fall to the floor, and they saw that she wore a heavy sword. "Damsel," said Arthur, "why do you, a maiden, wear a sword?" "Alas!" said the maiden, "I should be glad if I did not wear it. It is very heavy, and causes me pain. But I am forced to wear it until I meet a knight who can take it from me." "Surely many knights could do that, and gladly," the lords said. "No," said the lady. "It seems that there is but one knight in all the world who is to take the sword. I heard that there were brave knights at the Court of King Rience, the enemy of King Arthur, and I went there. Yet no one could unfasten the sword. Now am I come here on the same errand." "In truth, damsel," said the king, "you are right welcome. My knights shall try to take your weapon." Then, at a sign from Arthur, a knight stepped forward. But, even though he exerted all his strength, the sword could not be unfastened. "Sir, you need not pull so hard," said the damsel. "The one who is to take the sword will do so easily." All the knights tried except Sir Balin, who stood back because of his poor clothes. Yet he wanted very much to see if he was the chosen knight, and just as the damsel was going away, he said: "Damsel, will you let me try? I am poorly clothed, but my heart tells me that I may succeed." The damsel saw that he had a good face. But his clothes were so poor she doubted if he were really a knight. "I am afraid you will fail," she said. "Ah, maiden," he returned, "poor clothes are but the outside. Good deeds are just as worthy, whether done by a rich person or a poor one. Many a man who is badly clothed has real valor and kindness." "That is very true," she said; "so try, good sir." Then Sir Balin seized the hilt of the sword, and the weapon came away easily. All the lords wondered, and the lady said: "You are a good knight, the best I have met. You shall do many brave deeds. And now, give me my sword again." "No," said Sir Balin, "I should like to keep this sword, for I have no other." "Alas!" said the maiden, "I am sorry to hear these words, for now I must give you the sword." "Surely he deserves it," said Arthur, "for it weighed heavily on you."