_How on the way king Pellinore heard two knights, as he lay by night in
a valley, and of other adventures._
And therewith he armed him. So right even afore him there met two
knights, the one came from Camelot and the other from the north, and
either saluted other. What tidings at Camelot? said the one. By my
head, said the other, there have I been, and espied the court of king
Arthur, and there is such a fellowship they may never be broken, and
well nigh all the world holdeth with Arthur, for there is the flower of
chivalry. Now for this cause I am riding into the north to tell our
chieftains of the fellowship that is withholden with king Arthur. As
for that, said the other knight, I have brought a remedy with me, that
is the greatest poison that ever ye heard speak of, and to Camelot will
I with it, for we have a friend right nigh king Arthur, and well
cherished, that shall poison king Arthur, for so he hath promised our
chieftains, and received great gifts for to do it. Beware, said the
other knight, of Merlin, for he knoweth all things by the devil’s
craft. Therefore will I not let it, said the knight. And so they
departed in sunder. Anon after Pellinore made him ready, and his lady,
and rode toward Camelot. And as they came by the well there as the
wounded knight was and the lady, there he found the knight, and the
lady eaten with lions or wild beasts all save the head, wherefore he
made great sorrow, and wept passing sore, and said: Alas, her life
might I have saved, but I was so fierce in my quest therefore I would
not abide. Wherefore make ye such dole, said the lady. I wot not, said
Pellinore, but my heart mourneth sore for the death of her, for she was
a passing fair lady and a young. Now will ye do by mine advice, said
the lady, take this knight and let him be buried in an hermitage, and
then take the lady’s head and bear it with you unto Arthur. So king
Pellinore took this dead knight on his shoulders and brought him to the
hermitage, and charged the hermit with the corpse, that service should
be done for the soul; and take his harness for your pain. It shall be
done, said the hermit, as I will answer unto God.