n the bed, and he knew her, and said he held her in
great worship, and that she was the best maid in the world, and how it
was great pity that she had come to her death. But when Lancelot heard
that Galahad had won the marvellous sword he prayed that he might see
it, and kissed the pommel and the hilt, and the scabbard. 'In truth,'
he said, 'never did I know of adventures so wonderful and strange.' So
dwelled Lancelot and Galahad in that ship for half a year, and served
God daily and nightly with all their power. And after six months had
gone it befell that on a Monday they drifted to the edge of the
forest, where they saw a Knight with white armour bestriding one horse
and holding another all white, by the bridle. And he came to the ship,
and saluted the two Knights and said, 'Galahad, you have been long
enough with your father, therefore leave that ship and start upon this
horse, and go on the quest of the Holy Graal.' So Galahad went to his
father and kissed him, saying, 'Fair sweet father, I know not if I
shall see you more till I have beheld the Holy Graal.' Then they heard
a voice which said, 'The one shall never see the other till the day of
doom.' 'Now, Galahad,' said Lancelot, 'since we are to bid farewell
for ever now, I pray to the great Father to preserve me and you both.'
'Sir,' answered Galahad, 'no prayer availeth so much as yours.'

The next day Sir Lancelot made his way back to Camelot, where he found
King Arthur and Guenevere; but many of the Knights of the Round Table
were slain and destroyed, more than the half. All the Court was
passing glad to see Sir Lancelot, and the King asked many tidings of
his son Sir Galahad.

XI

HOW SIR GALAHAD FOUND THE GRAAL AND DIED OF

THAT FINDING

Sir Galahad rode on till he met Sir Percivale and afterwards Sir Bors,
whom they greeted most gladly, and they bare each other company. First
they came to the Castle of Carbonek, where dwelled King Pelles, who
welcomed them with joy, for he knew by their coming that they had
fulfilled the quest of the Graal. They then departed on other
adventures, and with the blood out of the Holy Lance Galahad anointed
the maimed King and healed him. That same night at midnight a voice
bade them arise and quit the castle, which they did, followed by three
Knights of Gaul. Then Galahad prayed every one of them that if they
reached King Arthur's Court they should salute Sir Lancelot his
father, and those Knights of the Round Table