nged between her father and Merlin, King
Leodegrance said that, for her dowry, instead of broad lands, of which
King Arthur had many, he would give to Arthur the Table Round, which
Uther Pendragon had in friendship given to him many years before. For,
as King Arthur was already famous for his prowess and nobleness and his
love of knightly men and brave deeds, Leodegrance knew that this would
be a gift beloved of Arthur.

With the table were to go the knights who were its company. It seated
one hundred and fifty when it was complete, but many had been slain,
and now they numbered but a hundred.

When King Arthur heard from Merlin of the coming of Gwenevere, with the
hundred knights bearing the Round Table with them, he was very glad,
'for,' said he, 'their noble company pleaseth me more than great
riches.' He charged Merlin to go and espy through all the land of
Britain for another fifty knights, so that the tale of the noble
company of the Round Table should be complete.

Now, it chanced that while Arthur sat in the hall of his palace at
London, waiting for Gwenevere to come to him, and for Merlin to return
from his quest, King Ban, who had aided him in his fierce battle
against the eleven kings, sent his young son Lancelot to Arthur's
court, to learn knightly deeds and noble prowess.

None knew who he was but Arthur, who kept the matter secret. Many had
smiled at the huge limbs of Lancelot, until his great strength had
caused them to respect him; and being but a young man he had not yet
got all the courtly bearing and noble manners for which in later time
he was famous throughout all Christendom. So that many knights and
ladies smiled sourly upon him, but others saw that he would shortly
prove a fine man of his hands, full courteous and gentle, and of a
noble nature and great presence.

At the court was also young Gawaine, son of King Lot, and nephew of the
king. Both Lancelot and Gawaine were as yet not knighted, but together
they tilted at each other in the lists beyond the walls, and spent
their days in sword-play and all knightly exercises. Lancelot was the
stronger and the better fighter; and though Gawaine never overcame him,
yet did they twain love each other passing well.

Now Gawaine went to the king one day, and asked of him a gift, and King
Arthur said he would grant it.

'Sir,' said Gawaine, while Lancelot stood a little way off, fondling
the hounds that licked at his hand, 'I ask that ye will make