King Arthur was at Cardoil on one day of Whitsuntide. Many were the
knights that were come to this court whereof I tell you. The King was
seated at meat, and the day was fair and clear, and the air clean and
fresh. Sagramors li Desirous and Lucan the Butler served before the
King. And what time they had served of the first meats, therewithal
behold you, a quarrel, like as it had been shot from a cross-bow, and
striketh in the column of the hall before the King so passing strong
that there was not a knight in the hall but heard it when it struck
therein. They all looked thereat in great wonderment. The quarrel was
like as it were of gold, and it had about it a many costly precious
stones. The King saith that quarrel so costly cometh not from a poor
place. Lancelot and Messire Gawain say that never have they seen one
so rich. It struck so deep in the column that the iron point thereof
might not be seen, and a good part of the shaft was also hidden.
Thereupon, behold you, a damsel of surpassing great beauty that cometh,
sitting on a right costly mule, full well caparisoned. She had a
gilded bridle and gilded saddle, and was clad in a right rich cloth of
silk. A squire followed after her that drove her mule from behind.
She came before King Arthur as straight as she might, and saluted him
right worshipfully, and he made answer the best he might.
"Sir," saith she, "I am come to speak and demand a boon, nor will I
never alight until such time as you shall have granted it to me. For
such is my custom, and for this am I come to your court, whereof I have
heard such tidings and such witness in many places where I have been,
that I know you will not deny me herein."