iting from the birth of our Lord
unto that day, and said: "It seemeth me this siege ought to be filled
this same day, for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four
hundred and four and fifty years; and if it would please all parties, I
would none of these letters were seen this day, till he be come that
ought to achieve this adventure."

Then they provided a cloth of silk for to cover these letters in the
Siege Perilous, and the King bade haste unto dinner.

It was an old custom of Arthur's court that on this day they should not
sit at their meat until they had seen some adventure. As they stood
waiting therefor, in came a squire bringing the marvellous tidings that
beneath at the river there was a great stone, as it were of red marble,
floating above the water, wherein a sword stuck. So the King and all
the knights went unto the river to see this marvel, and they found it
even as the squire had said. There in the stone was the fair rich
sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious stones and subtile
letters wrought with gold. Then the barons read the letters, which
said in this wise: "Never shall man take me hence but only he by whose
side I ought to hang, and he shall be the best knight of the world."

When the King had seen these letters, he said unto Sir Launcelot, "Fair
sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be the best knight
of the world."

Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly, conscious of a great sin:
"Certes, sir, it is not my sword; also, sir, wit ye well I have no
hardiness to set my hand thereto, for it belongs not by my side."

"Now, fair nephew," said the King unto Sir Gawaine, "assay ye to take
the sword for my love."

Therewith Sir Gawaine took the sword by the handles, though unwillingly
and only at the King's commandment, but he might not stir it. Then the
King said unto Sir Percivale that he should assay. So 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 as to set their hands thereto, but
all failed.

"Now may ye go to your dinner," said Sir Kay unto King Arthur, "for a
marvellous adventure have ye seen."

So the King and all went in, and every knight knew his own place and
set himself therein, and all sieges were filled save only the Siege
Perilous. Anon there befell a marvellous adventure, for all the doors
and the windows of the place shut of themselves, yet then the hall was
not grea