e, a
little to-fore noon of the day of Pentecost, espied at a window three
men upon horseback, and a dwarf on foot, and so the three men alighted,
and the dwarf kept their horses, and one of the three men was higher
than the other twain by a foot and an half. Then Sir Gawaine went unto
the king and said, Sir, go to your meat, for here at the hand come
strange adventures. So Arthur went unto his meat with many other kings.
And there were all the knights of the Round Table, [save] only those
that were prisoners or slain at a recounter. Then at the high feast
evermore they should be fulfilled the whole number of an hundred and
fifty, for then was the Round Table fully complished.

Right so came into the hall two men well beseen and richly, and upon
their shoulders there leaned the goodliest young man and the fairest
that ever they all saw, and he was large and long, and broad in the
shoulders, and well visaged, and the fairest and the largest handed that
ever man saw, but he fared as though he might not go nor bear himself
but if he leaned upon their shoulders. Anon as Arthur saw him there was
made peace and room, and right so they yede with him unto the high dais,
without saying of any words. Then this much young man pulled him aback,
and easily stretched up straight, saying, King Arthur, God you bless and
all your fair fellowship, and in especial the fellowship of the Table
Round. And for this cause I am come hither, to pray you and require you
to give me three gifts, and they shall not be unreasonably asked, but
that ye may worshipfully and honourably grant them me, and to you no
great hurt nor loss. And the first don and gift I will ask now, and the
other two gifts I will ask this day twelvemonth, wheresomever ye hold
your high feast. Now ask, said Arthur, and ye shall have your asking.

Now, sir, this is my petition for this feast, that ye will give me meat
and drink sufficiently for this twelvemonth, and at that day I will ask
mine other two gifts.

My fair son, said Arthur, ask better, I counsel thee, for this is but
a simple asking; for my heart giveth me to thee greatly, that thou art
come of men of worship, and greatly my conceit faileth me but thou shalt
prove a man of right great worship. Sir, he said, thereof be as it be
may, I have asked that I will ask. Well, said the king, ye shall have
meat and drink enough; I never defended that none, neither my friend nor
my foe. But what is thy name I would wit? I can