repaired none but wild
beasts. There they found many strange adventures and perilous, which
they brought to an end. But because the adventures were with wild
beasts, and not in the quest of the Holy Grail, therefore the tale
maketh here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all
those adventures that befell them.

Thereafter it befell that they arrived in the edge of a forest tofore a
cross, and then saw they a knight, armed all in white and richly
horsed, leading in his right hand a white horse. He came to the ship
and saluted the two knights on the high Lord's behalf, and said,
"Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough with Launcelot. Come out of
the ship, and start upon this horse, and go where the adventures shall
lead thee in the quest of the Holy Grail."

So Galahad took sorrowful leave of Sir Launcelot, for they knew that
one should never see the other before the dreadful day of doom.
Galahad took his horse and entered into the forest, and the wind arose
and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout the sea, where he
slept little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidings of the
Holy Grail.

And it befell on a night, at midnight, he arrived afore a castle, on
the back side, which was rich and fair. There was a postern opened
towards the sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions kept
the entry; and the moon shone clear. Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice
that said, "Launcelot, go out of this ship, and enter into the castle,
where thou shalt see a great part of thy desire."

Then he ran for his arms, and so he went to the gate, and saw the
lions. He set his hand to his sword, and drew it, whereupon there came
a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the sword fell
out of his hand. Then heard he a voice say, "Oh, man of evil faith and
poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more on thy harness than in thy
Maker? He in whose service thou art set might more avail thee than
thine armour."

Then said Launcelot, "Fair Father Jesu Christ, I thank thee of Thy
great mercy, that Thou reprovest me of my misdeed. Now see I well that
ye hold me for your servant."

Then took he again his sword, and put it up in his sheath, and came to
the lions, and they made semblant[1] to do him harm. Notwithstanding
he passed by them without hurt, and entered into the castle to the
chief fortress, and there were all at rest. Launcelot entered in so
armed, for he found no gate