So long were they in the ship that they said to Galahad:  “Sir, in this bed ought ye to lie, for so sayeth the scripture.”

[Illustration:  THE SHIP APPROACHES THE CITY OF SARRAS]

And so he laid him down and slept a great while; and when he awaked he looked afore him and saw the city of Sarras.  Then took they out of the ship the table of silver, and he took it to Percivale and to Bors, to go tofore, and Galahad came behind.  And right so they went to the city, and at the gate of the city they saw an old man crooked.  Then Galahad called him and bade him help to bear this heavy thing.

“Truly,” said the old man, “it is ten years ago that I might not go but with crutches.”

“Care thou not,” said Galahad, “and arise up and shew thy good will.”  And so he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he was.  Then ran he to the table, and took one part against Galahad.

And anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was made whole by knights marvelous that entered into the city.  And when the king of the city, which was cleped[25] Estorause, saw the fellowship, he asked them of whence they were, and what thing it was that they had brought upon the table of silver.  And they told him the truth of the Sangreal, and the power which that God had set there.  Then the king was a tyrant, and was come of the line of paynims,[26] and took them and put them in prison in a deep hole.

[Footnote 25:  Cleped meant named]

[Footnote 26:  A paynim is an infidel.]

But as soon as they were there Our Lord sent them the Sangreal, through whose grace they were alway fulfilled while that they were in prison.

So at the year’s end it befell that this King Estorause lay sick, and felt that he should die.  Then he sent for the three knights, and they came afore him; and he cried them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave it him goodly; and he died anon.

When the king was dead all the city was dismayed, and wist not who might be their king.  Right so as they were in counsel there came a voice among them, and bade them choose the youngest knight of them three to be their king:  “For he shall well maintain you and all yours.”  So they made Galahad king by all the assent of the holy city.

[Illustration:  THE LAST APPEARANCE OF THE SANGREAL]

Now at the year’s end, and the self day after Galahad had borne the crown of gold, he arose up early and his fellows, and came to the palace, and saw tofore them the Holy Vessel, and a man kneeling on his knees in likeness of a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship of angels as it had been Jesu Christ himself; and then he arose and began a mass of Our Lady.  And when he came to the sacrament of the mass, and had done, anon he called Galahad, and said to him:  “Come forth the servant of Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast much desired to see.”