Then within a while came Galahad thereas the White Knight abode him by
the hermitage, and everych saluted other courteously. Sir, said
Galahad, by this shield be many marvels fallen. Sir, said the knight,
it befell after the passion of our Lord Jesu Christ thirty-two year,
that Joseph of Aramathie, the gentle knight, the which took down our
Lord off the holy Cross, at that time he departed from Jerusalem with a
great party of his kindred with him. And so he laboured till that they
came to a city that hight Sarras. And at that same hour that Joseph
came to Sarras there was a king that hight Evelake, that had great war
against the Saracens, and in especial against one Saracen, the which
was King Evelake’s cousin, a rich king and a mighty, which marched nigh
this land, and his name was called Tolleme la Feintes. So on a day
these two met to do battle. Then Joseph, the son of Joseph of
Aramathie, went to King Evelake and told him he should be discomfit and
slain, but if he left his belief of the old law and believed upon the
new law. And then there he shewed him the right belief of the Holy
Trinity, to the which he agreed unto with all his heart; and there this
shield was made for King Evelake, in the name of Him that died upon the
Cross. And then through his good belief he had the better of King
Tolleme. For when Evelake was in the battle there was a cloth set afore
the shield, and when he was in the greatest peril he let put away the
cloth, and then his enemies saw a figure of a man on the Cross,
wherethrough they all were discomfit. And so it befell that a man of
King Evelake’s was smitten his hand off, and bare that hand in his
other hand; and Joseph called that man unto him and bade him go with
good devotion touch the Cross. And as soon as that man had touched the
Cross with his hand it was as whole as ever it was to-fore. Then soon
after there fell a great marvel, that the cross of the shield at one
time vanished away that no man wist where it became. And then King
Evelake was baptised, and for the most part all the people of that
city. So, soon after Joseph would depart, and King Evelake would go
with him, whether he wold or nold. And so by fortune they came into
this land, that at that time was called Great Britain; and there they
found a great felon paynim, that put Joseph into prison. And so by
fortune tidings came unto a worthy man that hight Mondrames, and he
assembled all his people for the great renown he had heard of Joseph;
and so he came into the land of Great Britain and disherited this felon
paynim and consumed him, and therewith delivered Joseph out of prison.
And after that all the people were turned to the Christian faith.
CHAPTER XI. How Joseph made a cross on the white shield with his blood,
and how Galahad was by a monk brought to a tomb.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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