after that they left that ship and went into
another, which brought them to land, where they fell upon many
strange adventures. And when they had wrought many great deeds, they
departed from each other. But first Sir Percivale's sister died, being
bled to death, so that another lady might live, and she prayed them to
lay her body in a boat and leave the boat to go as the winds and waves
carried it. And so it was done, and Sir Percivale wrote a letter
telling how she had helped them in all their adventures; and he put it
in her right hand, and laid her in a barge, and covered it with black
silk. And the wind arose and drove it from their sight.

X

SIR LANCELOT MEETS SIR GALAHAD, AND THEY PART

FOR EVER

Now we must tell what happened to Sir Lancelot.

When he was come to a water called Mortoise he fell asleep, awaiting
for the adventure that should be sent to him, and in his sleep a voice
spoke to him, and bade him rise and take his armour, and enter the
first ship he should find. So he started up and took his arms and made
him ready, and on the strand he found a ship that was without sail or
oar. As soon as he was within the ship, he felt himself wrapped round
with a sweetness such as he had never known before, as if all that he
could desire was fulfilled. And with this joy and peace about him he
fell asleep. When he woke he found near him a fair bed, with a dead
lady lying on it, whom he knew to be Sir Percivale's sister, and in
her hand was the tale of her adventures, which Sir Lancelot took and
read. For a month or more they dwelt in that ship together, and one
day, when it had drifted near the shore, he heard a sound as of a
horse; and when the steps came nearer he saw that a Knight was riding
him. At the sight of the ship the Knight alighted and took the saddle
and bridle, and entered the ship. 'You are welcome,' said Lancelot,
and the Knight saluted him and said, 'What is your name? for my heart
goeth out to you.'

'Truly,' answered he, 'my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.'

'Sir,' said the new Knight, 'you are welcome, for you were the
beginner of me in the world.'

'Ah,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'is it you, then, Galahad?'

'Yes, in sooth,' said he, and kneeled down and asked Lancelot's
blessing, and then took off his helm and kissed him. And there was
great joy between them, and they told each other all that had befallen
them since they left King Arthur's Court. Then Galahad saw the
gentlewoman dead o