Thereafter at the entrance of the gate he seeth a lion right great and
horrible, and he was upright upon his feet. So soon as he seeth
Messire Gawain, he croucheth to the ground, and Messire Gawain passeth
the entrance without gainsay and cometh to the castle, and alighteth
afoot, and setteth his shield and his spear against the wall of the
hall, and mounteth up a flight of marble steps and cometh into a hall
right fair and rich, and here and there in divers places was it painted
with golden images. In the midst thereof he findeth a couch right fair
and rich and high, and at the foot of this couch was a chess-board
right fair and rich, with an orle of gold all full of precious stones,
and the pieces were of gold and silver and were not upon the board.
Meanwhile, as Messire Gawain was looking at the beauty of the
chess-board and the hall, behold you two knights that issue forth of a
chamber and come to him.
"Sir," say the knights, "Welcome may you be."
"God give you joy and good adventure," saith Messire Gawain.
They make him sit upon the couch and after that make him be disarmed.
They bring him, in two basins of gold, water to wash his face and
hands. After that, come two damsels that bring him a rich robe of silk
and cloth of gold. Then they make him do on the same. Then say the
two damsels to him, "Take in good part whatsoever may be done to you
therewithin, for this is the hostel of good knights and loyal."
"Damsels," saith Messire Gawain, "So will I do. Gramercy of your
service."
He seeth well that albeit the night were dark, within was so great
brightness of light without candles that it was marvel. And it seemed
him the sun shone there. Wherefore marvelled he right sore whence so
great light should come.