"Ah, damsel," saith Lancelot, "Which is the way to the castle whereof
you speak?"
"Sir," saith the knight, "You will go by this cross that you see before
you, and we will go by that other way, to a certain hold. Haply we
shall find you at the castle or ever you depart thence."
Lancelot goeth his way and leaveth them.
"By my head," saith the damsel to the knight, "This that goeth there is
Lancelot. He knoweth me not, albeit I know him well, and I hear that
he is sore troubled of his sorrow and mis-ease. Natheless, please God,
I will have vengeance of him or ever he departeth from the castle
whither he goeth to harbour. He made marry perforce a knight that
loved me better than aught beside, and to a damsel that he loved not a
whit. And so much might he still better perceive when he saw that she
ate not at his table, but was seated along with the squires, and that
none did aught for her at the castle. But the knight will not abandon
her for his own honour, and for that I should be blamed thereof."
The evening draweth on and Lancelot goeth toward the castle, that was
right uneath to find and in an unfrequented part. He espieth it at the
head of the forest, and seeth that it is large and strong, with strong
barbicans embattelled, and at the entrance of the gateway were fifteen
heads of knights hanging. He found without a knight that came from the
forest, and asked him what castle it was, and he made answer that it
was called the Castle of the Griffon.
"And why are these heads hanging at this door?"
"Sir," saith he, "The daughter of the lord of the castle is the fairest
in the world and that is known in any kingdom, and needs must she be
offered to wife to all knights that harbour within. He that can draw a
sword that is fixed in a column in the midst of the hall, and fetch it
forth, he shall have her of right without forfeit."