of the forest,
that is right tall. Lancelot entereth therein all armed. He signeth
him of the cross and blesseth him and commendeth him to God. He seeth
in the grave-yard coffins in many places, and it seemeth him that he
seeth folk round about that talk together, the one with another. But he
might not hear that they said. He might not see them openly, but very
tall they seemed him to be. He is come toward the chapel and alighteth
of his horse, and seeth a shed outside the chapel, wherein was
provender for horses. He goeth thither to set his own there, then
leaneth his shield against his spear at the entrance of the chapel, and
entereth in, where it was very dark, for no light was there save only
of a single lamp that shone full darkly. He seeth the coffin that was
in the midst of the chapel wherein the knight lay.

III.

When he had made his orison before an image of Our Lady, he cometh to
the coffin and openeth it as fast as he may, and seeth the knight, tall
and foul of favour, that therein lay dead. The cloth wherein he was
enshrouded was displayed all bloody. He taketh the sword that lay at
his side and lifteth the windingsheet to rend it at the seam, then
taketh the knight by the head to lift him upward, and findeth him so
heavy and so ungain that scarce may he remove him. He cutteth off the
half of the cloth wherein he is enshrouded, and the coffin beginneth to
make a crashing so passing loud that it seemed the chapel were falling.
When he hath the piece of the cloth and the sword he closeth the coffin
again, and forthwith cometh to the door of the chapel and seeth mount,
in the midst of the grave-yard as it seemed him, great knights and
horrible, and they are appareled as it were to combat, and him thinketh
that they are watching for him and espy him.

IV.

Thereupon, behold you, a damsel running, her kirtle girt high about
her, right through the grave-yard a great pace.

"Take heed you move not until such time as it is known who the knight
is!" She is come to the chapel. "Sir Knight, lay down the sword and
this that you have taken of the windingsheet of the dead knight!"

"Damsel," saith Lancelot, "What hurt doth it you of this that I have?"

"This," saith she, "That you have taken it without my leave; for I have
him in charge, both him and the chapel. And I would fain," saith she,
"know what is your name?"

"Damsel," saith he, "What would you gain of knowing my name?"

"I know not,"