his is for joy of the conquest
that the Good Knight hath made that took away the shield from
herewithin. He hath won the land that belonged to good King Fisherman
from the evil King of Castle Mortal, that did away thence the good
believe, and therefore was it that the Graal was hidden. Now God so
willeth that you go thither, and that you choose out the best knights
of your court, for better pilgrimage may you never make, and what time
you shall return hither, your faith shall be doubled and the people of
Great Britain shall be better disposed and better taught to maintain
the service of the Saviour."

II.

Thereupon the Voice departed and well pleased was the King of that it
had said. He sitteth at meat beside the Queen. Straightway behold you,
a damsel that cometh of such beauty as never was greater, and clad
right richly, and she beareth a coffer richer than ever you saw, for it
was all of fine gold and set with precious stones that sparkled like
fire. The coffer is not large. The damsel holdeth it between her
hands. When she was alighted she cometh before the King and saluteth
him the fairest she may and the Queen likewise. The King returneth her
salute.

"Sir," saith she, "I am come to your court for that it is the sovran of
all other, and so bring I you here this rich vessel that you see as a
gift; and it hath within the head of a knight, but none may open the
coffer save he alone that slew the knight. Wherefore I pray and beseech
you, as you are the best king that liveth, that you first set your hand
thereon, and in like manner afterwards make proof of your knights, and
so the crime and the blood-wite thereof be brought home to you or to
any knight that may be within yonder. I pray you that the knight who
shall be able to open the coffer wherein the head of the knight lieth,
and who therefore is he that slew him, shall have grace of forty days
after that you shall be returned from the Graal."

"Damsel," saith the King, "How shall it be known who the knight was?"

"Sir," saith she, "Right eath, for the letters are sealed within that
tell his name and the name of him that slew him."

The King granteth the damsel her will in such wise as she had asked of
him. He hath received the coffer, then maketh her be set at meat and
right richly honoured.

III.

When the King had eaten, the damsel cometh before him.

"Sir," saith she, "Make your knights be summoned and ready for that
which you have gran