When they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose up the most part and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.

And then they went to rest them, and in honor of the highness of Sir Galahad he was led into King Arthur’s chamber, and there rested in his own bed.  And as soon as it was day the King arose, for he had no rest of all that night for sorrow.

And anon Launcelot and Gawaine commanded their men to bring their arms.  And when they all were armed save their shields and their helms, then they came to their fellowship, which were all ready in the same wise, for to go to the minster to hear their service.

Then after the service was done the King would wit how many had undertaken the quest of the Holy Grail; and to account them he prayed them all.  Then found they by tale an hundred and fifty, and all were knights of the Round Table.  And then they put on their helms and departed, and recommended them all wholly unto the Queen; and there was weeping and great sorrow.

And so they mounted upon their horses and rode through the streets of Camelot; and there was weeping of the rich and poor, and the King turned away and might not speak for weeping.

And on the morrow they were all accorded that they should depart each from other; and then they departed on the morrow with weeping and mourning cheer, and every knight took the way that him best liked.

* * * * *

GALAHAD GETS HIS SHIELD

Rideth Sir Galahad yet without shield, and so he rode four days without any adventure.  And at the fourth day after evensong he came to a White Abbey, and there he was received with great reverence, and led to a chamber, and there he was unarmed; and then was he ware of two knights of the Round Table, one was King Bagdemagus, and that other was Sir Uwaine.  And when they saw him they went unto him and made of him great solace, and so they went to supper.

“Sirs,” said Sir Galahad, “what adventure brought you hither?”

“Sir,” said they, “it is told us that within this place is a shield that no man may bear about his neck but if that he be mischieved or dead within three days, or else maimed for ever.”

“Ah, sir,” said King Bagdemagus, “I shall it bear to-morrow for to assay this strange adventure.”

“In the name of God,” said Sir Galahad.

“Sir,” said Bagdemagus, “an I may not achieve the adventure of this shield ye shall take it upon you, for I am sure ye shall not fail.”

“Sir,” said Galahad, “I agree right well thereto, for I have no shield.”

So on the morn they arose and heard mass.  Anon a monk led them behind an altar where the shield hung as white as any snow, but in the middes[14] was a red cross.

[Footnote 14:  Middes is an old word for midst]

“Sir,” said the monk, “this shield ought not to be hanged about no knight’s neck but he be the worthiest knight of the world, and therefore I counsel you knights to be well advised.”