right fair and rich, and here and there in divers places was it painted
with golden images. In the midst thereof he findeth a couch right fair
and rich and high, and at the foot of this couch was a chess-board
right fair and rich, with an orle of gold all full of precious stones,
and the pieces were of gold and silver and were not upon the board.
Meanwhile, as Messire Gawain was looking at the beauty of the
chess-board and the hall, behold you two knights that issue forth of a
chamber and come to him.

"Sir," say the knights, "Welcome may you be."

"God give you joy and good adventure," saith Messire Gawain.

They make him sit upon the couch and after that make him be disarmed.
They bring him, in two basins of gold, water to wash his face and
hands. After that, come two damsels that bring him a rich robe of silk
and cloth of gold. Then they make him do on the same. Then say the
two damsels to him, "Take in good part whatsoever may be done to you
therewithin, for this is the hostel of good knights and loyal."

"Damsels," saith Messire Gawain, "So will I do. Gramercy of your
service."

He seeth well that albeit the night were dark, within was so great
brightness of light without candles that it was marvel. And it seemed
him the sun shone there. Wherefore marvelled he right sore whence so
great light should come.

XVII.

When Messire Gawain was clad in the rich robe, right comely was he to
behold, and well seemed he to be a knight of great valour. "Sir," say
the knights, "May it please you come see the lord of this castle?"

"Right gladly will I see him," saith he, "For I would fain present him
with a rich sword."

They lead him into the chamber where lay King Fisherman, and it seemed
as it were all strown and sprinkled of balm, and it was all strown with
green herbs and reeds. And King Fisherman lay on a bed hung on cords
whereof the stavs were of ivory; and therein was a mattress of straw
whereon he lay, and above a coverlid of sables whereof the cloth was
right rich. And he had a cap of sables on his head covered with a red
samite of silk, and a golden cross, and under his head was a pillow all
smelling sweet of balm, and at the four corners of the pillow were four
stones that gave out a right great brightness of light; and over
against him was a pillar of copper whereon sate an eagle that held a
cross of gold wherein was a piece of the true cross whereon God was
set, as long as was the cross itself