So, on a day, he rode through the Forest Perilous where dwelt the Lady Annoure, a sorceress of great might, who used her magic powers but for the furtherance of her own desires.  And as she looked from a turret window, she descried King Arthur come riding down a forest glade, and the sunbeams falling upon him made one glory of his armour and of his yellow hair.  Then, as Annoure gazed upon the King, her heart grew hot within her, and she resolved that, come what might, she would have him for her own, to dwell with her always and fulfil all her behests.  And so she bade lower the drawbridge and raise the portcullis, and sallying forth accompanied by her maidens, she gave King Arthur courteous salutation, and prayed him that he would rest within her castle that day, for that she had a petition to make to him; and Arthur, doubting nothing of her good faith, suffered himself to be led within.

Then was a great feast spread, and Annoure caused the King to be seated in a chair of state at her right hand, while squires and pages served him on bended knee.  So when they had feasted, the King turned to the Lady Annoure and said courteously:  “Lady, somewhat ye said of a request that ye would make.  If there be aught in which I may pleasure you, I pray you let me know it, and I will serve you as knightly as I may.”  “In truth,” said the lady, “there is that which I would fain entreat of you, most noble knight; yet suffer, I beseech you, that first I may show you somewhat of my castle and my estate, and then will I crave a boon of your chivalry.”  Then the sorceress led King Arthur from room to room of her castle, and ever each displayed greater store of beauty than the last.  In some the walls were hung with rich tapestries, in others they gleamed with precious stones; and the King marvelled what might be the petition of one that was mistress of such wealth.  Lastly, Annoure brought the King out upon the battlements, and as he gazed around him, he saw that, since he had entered the castle, there had sprung up about it triple walls of defence that shut out wholly the forest from view.  Then turned he to Annoure, and gravely he said:  “Lady, greatly I marvel in what a simple knight may pleasure one that is mistress of so wondrous a castle as ye have shown me here; yet if there be aught in which I may render you knightly service, right gladly would I hear it now, for I must forth upon my way to render service to those whose knight I am sworn.”  “Nay, now, King Arthur,” answered the sorceress mockingly, “ye may not think to deceive me; for well I know you, and that all Britain bows to your behest.”  “The more reason then that I should ride forth to right wrong and succour them that, of their loyalty, render true obedience to their lord.”  “Ye speak as a fool,” said the sorceress; “why should one that may command be at the beck and call of every hind and slave within his realm?  Nay, rest thee here with me, and I will make thee ruler of a richer land than