Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XVII CHAPTER I

CHAPTER I

How Sir Galahad fought at a tournament, and how he was
known of Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris.

NOW saith this story, when Galahad had rescued Percivale
from the twenty knights, he yede tho into a waste forest
wherein he rode many journeys; and he found many
adventures the which he brought to an end, whereof the
story maketh here no mention.  Then he took his way
to the sea on a day, and it befell as he passed by a castle
where was a wonder tournament, but they without had
done so much that they within were put to the worse, yet
were they within good knights enough.  When Galahad
saw that those within were at so great a mischief that men
slew them at the entry of the castle, then he thought to
help them, and put a spear forth and smote the first that
he fell to the earth, and the spear brake to pieces.  Then
he drew his sword and smote thereas they were thickest,
and so he did wonderful deeds of arms that all they
marvelled.  Then it happed that Gawaine and Sir Ector
de Maris were with the knights without.  But when they
espied the white shield with the red cross the one said to
the other:  Yonder is the good knight, Sir Galahad, the
haut prince: now he should be a great fool which should
meet with him to fight.  So by adventure he came by Sir
Gawaine, and he smote him so hard that he clave his helm
and the coif of iron unto his head, so that Gawaine fell
to the earth; but the stroke was so great that it slanted
down to the earth and carved the horse's shoulder in two.

When Ector saw Gawaine down he drew him aside,
and thought it no wisdom for to abide him, and also for
natural love, that he was his uncle.  Thus through his
great hardiness he beat aback all the knights without.
And then they within came out and chased them all
about.  But when Galahad saw there would none turn
again he stole away privily, so that none wist where he was
become.  Now by my head, said Gawaine to Ector, now
are the wonders true that were said of Launcelot du Lake,
that the sword which stuck in the stone should give me
such a buffet that I would not have it for the best castle
in this world; and soothly now it is proved true, for
never ere had I such a stroke of man's hand.  Sir, said
Ector, meseemeth your quest is done.  And yours is not
done, said Gawaine, but mine is done, I shall seek no
further.  Then Gawaine was borne into a castle and unarmed
him, and laid him in a rich bed, and a leech found
that he might live, and to be whole within a month.
Thus Gawaine and Ector abode together, for Sir Ector
would not away till Gawaine were whole.

And the good knight, Galahad, rode so long till he
came that night to the Castle of Carboneck; and it befell
him thus that he was benighted in an hermitage.  So the
good man was fain when he saw he was a knight-errant.
Tho when they were at rest there came a gentlewoman
knocking at the door, and called Galahad, and so the good
man came to the door to wit what she would.  Then she
called the hermit:  Sir Ulfin, I am a gentlewoman that
would speak with the knight which is with you.  Then
the good man awaked Galahad, and bade him:  Arise, and
speak with a gentlewoman that seemeth hath great need
of you.  Then Galahad went to her and asked her what
she would.  Galahad, said she, I will that ye arm you,
and mount upon your horse and follow me, for I shall
show you within these three days the highest adventure
that ever any knight saw.  Anon Galahad armed him, and
took his horse, and commended him to God, and bade the
gentlewoman go, and he would follow thereas she liked.