In such wise was this King baptized that was the lord of Albanie, by
the miracle of God and the knighthood of Messire Gawain, that departeth
from the castle with right great joy and rideth until he has come into
the land of the King of Wales and bethought him he would go fulfil his
pledge. He alighted before the hall, and the King made right great
cheer when he saw him come. And Messire Gawain hath told him: "I come
to redeem my pledge. Behold, here is the sword."
And the King taketh it in his hand and looketh thereon right fainly,
and afterward maketh great joy thereof and setteth it in his treasury
and saith: "Now have I done my desire."
"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Then have you betrayed me."
"By my head," saith the King, "That have I not, for I am of the lineage
of him that beheaded S. John, wherefore have I better right to it than
you."
"Sir," say the knights to the King, "Right loyal and courteous knight
is Messire Gawain, wherefore yield him that which he hath conquered,
for sore blame will you have of evil-treating him."
"I will yield it," saith the King "on such condition that the first
damsel that maketh request of him, what thing soever she may require
and whatsoever it be shall not be denied of him."
And Messire Gawain agreeth thereto, and of this agreement thereafter
did he suffer much shame and anguish and was blamed of many knights.
And the King yielded him the Sword. He lay the night therewithin, and
on the morrow so soon as he might, he departed and rode until he came
without the city where the burgess gave him the horse in exchange for
his own. And he remembered him of his covenant, and abideth a long
space and leaneth him on the hilt of his sword until the burgess
cometh. Therewithal made they great joy the one of the other, and
Messire showeth him the sword, and the burgess taketh it and smiteth
his horse with his spurs and goeth a great gallop toward the city. And
Messire Gawain goeth after a great pace and crieth out that he doth
great treachery.
"Come not after me into the city," saith the burgess, "for the folk
have a commune."
Howbeit, he followeth after into the city for that he might not
overtake him before, and therein he meeteth a great procession of
priests and clerks that bore crosses and censers. And Messire Gawain
alighteth on account of the procession, and seeth the burgess that hath
gone into the church and the procession after.
"Lords," saith Messire Gawain, "Make yield me the sword whereof this
burgess that hath entered your church hath plundered me."
"Sir," say the priests, "Well know we that it is the sword wherewith S.
John was beheaded, wherefore the burgess hath brought it to us to set
with our hallows in yonder, and saith that it was given him."
"Ha, lords!" saith Messire Gawain, "Not so! I have but shown it to him
to fulfil my pledge. And he hath carried it off by treachery."
Afterward he telleth them as it had befallen him, and the priests make
the burgess give it up, and with great joy Messire Gawain departeth and
remounteth his horse and issueth forth of the city. He hath scarce gone
far before he meeteth a knight that came all armed, as fast as his
horse could carry him, spear in rest.
"Sir," saith he to Messire Gawain, "I have come to help you. We were
told that you had been evil-entreated in the city, and I am of the
castle that succoureth all strange knights that pass hereby whensoever
they have need thereof."
"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Blessed be the castle! I plain me not of
the trespass for that right hath been done me. And how is the castle
named?"
"Sir, they call it the Castle of the Ball. Will you return back
thither with me, since you are delivered, and lodge there the night
with Messire, that is a right worshipful man, and of good conditions?"
Therewith they go together to the castle, that was right fair and
well-seeming. They enter in, and when they were within, the Lord, that
sate on a mounting-stage of marble, had two right fair daughters, and
he made them play before him with a ball of gold, and looked at them
right fainly. He seeth Messire Gawain alight and cometh to meet him
and maketh him great cheer. Afterward, he biddeth his two daughters
lead him into the hall.