_How the queen desired to see Galahad, and how after all the knights
were replenished with the holy Sangreal, and how they avowed the
enquest of the same._
Then the king, at the queen’s request, made him to alight and to unlace
his helm, that the queen might see him in the visage. And when she
beheld him she said, Soothly, I dare well say that Sir Launcelot is his
father, for never two men resembled more in likeness, therefore it is
no marvel though he be of great prowess. So a lady that stood by the
queen said, Madam, ought he of right to be so good a knight? Yea,
forsooth, said the queen, for he is of all parties come of the best
knights of the world, and of the highest lineage; for Sir Launcelot is
come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, and Sir
Galahad is of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ; therefore I
dare say they be the greatest gentlemen of the world. And then the king
and all estates went home unto Camelot, and so went to evensong to the
great minster. And so after upon that to supper, and every knight sat
in his own place as they were toforehand. Then anon they heard cracking
and crying of thunder, that them thought the place should all to-drive.
In the midst of this blast entered a sun-beam more clearer by seven
times than ever they saw day, and all they were alighted of the grace
of the Holy Ghost. Then began every knight to behold other, and either
saw other by their seeming fairer than ever they saw afore. Not for
then there was no knight might speak one word a great while, and so
they looked every man on other, as they had been dumb. Then there
entered into the hall the holy Graile covered with white samite, but
there was none might see it, nor who bare it. And there was all the
hall full filled with good odours, and every knight had such meats and
drinks as he best loved in this world: and when the holy Graile had
been borne through the hall, then the holy vessel departed suddenly,
that they wist not where it became. Then had they all breath to speak.
And then the king yielded thankings unto God of his good grace that he
had sent them. Certes, said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu
greatly, for that he hath shewed us this day at the reverence of this
high feast of Pentecost. Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have been served
this day of what meats and drinks we thought on, but one thing beguiled
us, we might not see the holy Graile, it was so preciously covered;
wherefore I will make here avow, that to-morn, without longer abiding,
I shall labour in the quest of the Sancgreal, that I shall hold me out
a twelvemonth and a day, or more if need be, and never shall I return
again unto the court till I have seen it more openly than it hath been
seen here: and if I may not speed, I shall return again as he that may
not be against the will of our Lord Jesu Christ. When they of the Table
Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose up the most party, and made
such avows as Sir Gawaine had made.
Anon as king Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for he wist
well that they might not againsay their avows. Alas! said king Arthur
unto Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me with the avow and promise that
ye have made. For through you ye have bereft me of the fairest
fellowship and the truest of knighthood that ever were seen together in
any realm of the world. For when they depart from hence, I am sure they
all shall never meet more in this world, for they shall die many in the
quest. And so it forethinketh me a little, for I have loved them as
well as my life, wherefore it shall grieve me right sore the
departition of this fellowship. For I have had an old custom to have
them in my fellowship.