_How Sir Gawaine assayed to draw out the sword, and how an old man
brought in Galahad._
Now, fair nephew, said the king unto Sir Gawaine, assay ye for my love.
Sir, he said, save your good grace, I shall not do that. Sir, said the
king, assay to take the sword, and at my commandment. Sir, said
Gawaine, your commandment I will obey. And therewith he took up the
sword by the handles, but he might not stir it. I thank you, said the
king to Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, now wit
ye well, this sword shall touch you so sore that ye shall will ye had
never set your hand thereto, for the best castle of this realm. Sir, he
said, I might not withsay mine uncle’s will and commandment. But when
the king heard this, he repented it much, and said unto Sir Percivale
that he should assay for his love. And he said, Gladly, for to bear Sir
Gawaine fellowship. And therewith he set his hand on the sword, and
drew it strongly, but he might not move it. Then were there more that
durst be so hardy to set their hands thereto. Now may ye go to your
dinner, said Sir Kay unto the king, for a marvellous adventure have ye
seen. So the king and all went unto the court, and every knight knew
his own place, and set him therein, and young men that were knights
served them. So when they were served, and all sieges fulfilled, save
only the siege perilous, anon there befell a marvellous adventure, that
all the doors and the windows of the place shut by themself. Not for
then the hall was not greatly darkened, and therewith they abashed both
one and other. Then king Arthur spake first, and said, Fair fellows and
lords, we have seen this day marvels, but or night I suppose we shall
see greater marvels. In the mean while came in a good old man, and an
ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no knight knew from whence
he came. And with him he brought a young knight, both on foot, in red
arms, without sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side. And
these words he said, Peace be with you, fair lords. Then the old man
said unto Arthur, Sir, I bring here a young knight the which is of
king’s lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of Arimathie, whereby the
marvels of this court and of strange realms shall be fully accomplished.