athered together this seven years past, save at the Whitsuntide when
Galahad departed from the Court.'

'Truly,' answered the Queen, 'the sight will be grand. Nevertheless
you must hold me excused, for I cannot be there.'

Sir Lancelot likewise declared that his wounds were not healed and
that he could not bear himself in a tourney as he was wont to do. At
this the King was wroth, that he might not have either his Queen or
his best Knight with him, and he departed towards Winchester and by
the way lodged in a town now called Guildford, but then Astolat. And
when the King had set forth, the Queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and told
him he was to blame for having excused himself from going with the
King, who set such store by his company; and Sir Lancelot said he
would be ruled by her, and would ride forth next morning on his way to
Winchester; 'but I should have you know,' said he, 'that at the
tourney I shall be against the King and his Knights.'

'You must do as you please,' replied the Queen, 'but if you will be
ruled by my counsel, you will fight on his side.'

'Madam,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you not to be displeased with me.
I will take the adventure as it comes,' and early next morning he rode
away till at eventide he reached Astolat. He went through the town
till he stopped before the house of an old Baron, Sir Bernard of
Astolat, and as he dismounted from his horse, the King spied him from
the gardens of the castle. 'It is well,' he said smiling to the
Knights that were beside him, 'I see one man who will play his part in
the jousts, and I will undertake that he will do marvels.'

'Who is that?' asked they all. 'You must wait to know that,' replied
the King, and went into the castle. Meantime Sir Lancelot had entered
his lodging, and the old Baron bade him welcome, but he knew not it
was Sir Lancelot. 'Fair Sir,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I pray you lend me,
if you can, a shield with a device which no man knows, for mine they
know well.'

'Sir,' answered Sir Bernard, 'you shall have your wish, for you seem
one of the goodliest Knights in the world. And, Sir, I have two sons,
both but lately knighted, Sir Tirre who was wounded on the day of his
Knighthood, and his shield you shall have. My youngest son, Sir
Lavaine, shall ride with you, if you will have his company, to the
jousts. For my heart is much drawn to you, and tell me, I beseech you,
what name I shall call you by.'

'You must hold me excused as to that,