BOOK VIII

THE HOLY GRAIL

CHAPTER XXIII

THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD

Many times had the Feast of Pentecost come round, and many were the knights that Arthur had made since first he founded the Order of the Round Table; yet no knight had appeared who dared claim the seat named by Merlin the Siege Perilous.  At last, one vigil of the great feast, a lady came to Arthur’s court at Camelot and asked Sir Launcelot to ride with her into the forest hard by, for a purpose not then to be revealed.  Launcelot consenting, they rode together until they came to a nunnery hidden deep in the forest; and there the lady bade Launcelot dismount, and led him into a great and stately room.  Presently there entered twelve nuns and with them a youth, the fairest that Launcelot had ever seen.  “Sir,” said the nuns, “we have brought up this child in our midst, and now that he is grown to manhood, we pray you make him knight, for of none worthier could he receive the honour.”  “Is this thy own desire?” asked Launcelot of the young squire; and when he said that so it was, Launcelot promised to make him knight after the great festival had been celebrated in the church next day.

So on the morrow, after they had worshipped, Launcelot knighted Galahad—­for that was the youth’s name—­and asked him if he would ride at once with him to the King’s court; but the young knight excusing himself, Sir Launcelot rode back alone to Camelot, where all rejoiced that he was returned in time to keep the feast with the whole Order of the Round Table.

Now, according to his custom, King Arthur was waiting for some marvel to befall before he and his knights sat down to the banquet.  Presently a squire entered the hall and said:  “Sir King, a great wonder has appeared.  There floats on the river a mighty stone, as it were a block of red marble, and it is thrust through by a sword, the hilt of which is set thick with precious stones.”  On hearing this, the King and all his knights went forth to view the stone and found it as the squire had said; moreover, looking closer, they read these words:  “None shall draw me hence, but only he by whose side I must hang; and he shall be the best knight in all the world.”  Immediately, all bade Launcelot draw forth the sword, but he refused, saying that the sword was not for him.  Then, at the King’s command, Sir Gawain made the attempt and failed, as did Sir Percivale after him.  So the knights knew the adventure was not for them, and returning to the hall, took their places about the Round Table.