er shall man take me hence, but only
he by whose side I ought to hang, and he shall be the best knight of the
world.

When the king had seen the letters, he said unto Sir Launcelot: Fair
Sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be the best knight
of the world. Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly: Certes, sir, it
is not my sword; also, Sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness to set
my hand to it, for it longed not to hang by my side. Also, who that
assayeth to take the sword and faileth of it, he shall receive a wound
by that sword that he shall not be whole long after. And I will that
ye wit that this same day shall the adventures of the Sangreal, that is
called the Holy Vessel, begin.

CHAPTER III. How Sir Gawaine assayed to draw out the sword, and how an
old man brought in Galahad.

NOW, fair nephew, said the king unto Sir Gawaine, assay ye, for my love.
Sir, he said, save your good grace I shall not do that. Sir, said the
king, assay to take the sword and at my commandment. Sir, said Gawaine,
your commandment I will obey. And therewith he took up the sword by the
handles, but he might not stir it. I thank you, said the king to Sir
Gawaine. My lord Sir Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, now wit ye well this
sword shall touch you so sore that ye shall will ye had never set your
hand thereto for the best castle of this realm. Sir, he said, I might
not withsay mine uncle's will and commandment. But when the king heard
this he repented it much, and said unto Sir Percivale that he should
assay, for his love. And he said: Gladly, for to bear Sir Gawaine
fellowship. And therewith he set his hand on the sword and drew it
strongly, but he might not move it. Then were there no[1] mo that durst
be so hardy to set their hands thereto. Now may ye go to your dinner,
said Sir Kay unto the king, for a marvellous adventure have ye seen.
So the king and all went unto the court, and every knight knew his own
place, and set him therein, and young men that were knights served them.

So when they were served, and all sieges fulfilled save only the Siege
Perilous, anon there befell a marvellous adventure, that all the doors
and windows of the palace shut by themself. Not for then the hall was
not greatly darked; and therewith they were[1] all[1] abashed both one
and other. Then King Arthur spake first and said: By God, fair fellows
and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but or night I suppose we
shall see greater marvels