And anon he entered into the ship again, and the wind arose, and drove
him through the sea, that by adventure he came to another ship where
King Mordrains was, which had been tempted full evil with a fiend in
the Port of Perilous Rock. And when that one saw the other they made
great joy of other, and either told other of their adventure, and how
the sword failed him at his most need. When Mordrains saw the sword he
praised it much: But the breaking was not to do but by wickedness of
thy selfward, for thou art in some sin. And there he took the sword,
and set the pieces together, and they soldered as fair as ever they
were to-fore; and there put he the sword in the sheath, and laid it
down on the bed. Then heard they a voice that said: Go out of this ship
a little while, and enter into the other, for dread ye fall in deadly
sin, for and ye be found in deadly sin ye may not escape but perish:
and so they went into the other ship. And as Nacien went over the board
he was smitten with a sword on the right foot, that he fell down
noseling to the ship’s board; and therewith he said: O God, how am I
hurt. And then there came a voice and said: Take thou that for thy
forfeit that thou didst in drawing of this sword, therefore thou
receivest a wound, for thou were never worthy to handle it, as the
writing maketh mention. In the name of God, said Galahad, ye are right
wise of these works.
CHAPTER V. How King Pelles was smitten through both thighs because he
drew the sword, and other marvellous histories.
Sir, said she, there was a king that hight Pelles, the maimed king. And
while he might ride he supported much Christendom and Holy Church. So
upon a day he hunted in a wood of his which lasted unto the sea; and at
the last he lost his hounds and his knights save only one: and there he
and his knight went till that they came toward Ireland, and there he
found the ship. And when he saw the letters and understood them, yet he
entered, for he was right perfect of his life, but his knight had none
hardiness to enter; and there found he this sword, and drew it out as
much as ye may see. So therewith entered a spear wherewith he was
smitten him through both the thighs, and never sith might he be healed,
nor nought shall to-fore we come to him. Thus, said she, was not King
Pelles, your grandsire, maimed for his hardiness? In the name of God,
damosel, said Galahad.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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