d from Jerusalem with a
great party of his kindred, bearing the Holy Grail with them.

It befell that they came first to a city that was called Sarras, and at
the last they crossed to Britain, and through them all the heathen
people of this land were turned to the Christian faith.

Ever as years went by the Holy Grail became more precious, and the
possession of it ever more a sacred trust. But after a long while it
was lost from the world through men's sinfulness, and only those of
pure heart and life might from time to time see it.

Merlin, before he was put under the stone, had foreseen that by them
which should be fellows of the Round Table the truth of the Holy Grail
would be well known, and in the good days of King Arthur the longing
grew to be worthy of the vision of this sign of the Lord's presence
among men. Moreover a holy hermit had said that, when the Siege
Perilous was filled, the achieving of the Holy Grail should be near.

After Galahad drew the sword out of the stone the King and all estates
went thoughtful home unto Camelot, and so to even-song in the great
minster. After that they went to supper, and every knight sat in his
own place at the Round Table. Then anon they heard cracking and crying
of thunder that should, as it seemed to them, shake the place all to
pieces. In the midst of this blast entered a sunbeam more clear 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 looked afore. There was no knight might
speak one word, and so they looked every man on his fellows, as if they
were dumb. Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail, covered
with white samite, but there was none might see it, or who bare it.
And there was all the hall filled full with good odours, and every
knight was nourished in his soul. When the Holy Grail had been borne
through the hall, then it departed suddenly, so that they wist not what
became of it.

Then had they all breath to speak, and the King yielded thankings unto
God for His good grace that He had sent them. "Now," said Sir Gawaine,
"we have been richly blessed this day, but one thing beguiled us,--we
might not see the Holy Grail, 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 Holy Grail a twelvemonth and a day,