Chapter 15 - Page 2

the Holy Greal, covered with white samite, so that none could see
it, and it passed through the hall suddenly and disappeared. During
this time no one spoke a word, but when they had recovered breath to
speak, King Arthur said, "Certainly we ought greatly to thank the Lord
for what He hath showed us this day." Then Sir Gawain rose up, and
made a vow that for twelve months and a day he would seek the
Sangreal, and not return till he had seen it, if so he might speed.
When they of the Round Table heard Sir Gawain say so, they arose,
the most part of them, and vowed the same. When King Arthur heard this
he was greatly displeased, for he knew well that they might not
gainsay their vows. "Alas!" said he to Sir Gawain, "you have nigh
slain me with the vow and promise that ye have made, for ye have
bereft me of the fairest fellowship that ever was seen together in any
realm of the world; for when they shall depart hence, I am sure that
all shall never meet more in this world." SIR GALAHAD. At that time there entered the hall a good old man, and with him
he brought a young knight, and these words he said: "Peace be with
you, fair lords." Then the old man said unto King Arthur, "Sir, I
bring you here a young knight that is of kings' lineage, and of the
kindred of Joseph of Arimathea, being the son of Dame Elaine, the
daughter of King Pelles, king of the foreign country." Now the name of
the young knight was Sir Galahad, and he was the son of Sir
Launcelot du Lac; but he had dwelt with his mother, at the court of
King Pelles, his grandfather, till now he was old enough to bear arms,
and his mother had sent him in the charge of a holy hermit to King
Arthur's court. Then Sir Launcelot beheld his son, and had great joy
of him. And Sir Bohort told his fellows, "Upon my life, this young
knight shall come to great worship." The noise was great in all the
court, so that it came to the queen. And she said, "I would fain see
him, for he must needs be a noble knight, for so is his father." And
the queen and her ladies all said that he resembled much unto his
father; and he was seemly and demure as a dove, with all manner of
good features, that in the whole world men might not find his match.
And King Arthur said, "God make him a good man, for beauty faileth him
not, as any that liveth."
Then the hermit led the young knight to the Siege Perilous; and he
lifted up the cloth, and found there letters that said, "This is the
seat of Sir Galahad, the good knight"; and he made him sit in that
seat. And all the knights of the Round Table marvelled greatly at
Sir Galahad, seeing him sit securely in that seat, and said, "This
is he by whom the Sangreal shall be achieved, for there never sat
one before in that seat without being