.

In the meanwhile came in a good old man, and an ancient, clothed all in
white, and there was no knight knew from whence he came. And with him
he brought a young knight, both on foot, in red arms, without sword or
shield, save a scabbard hanging by his side. And these words he said:
Peace be with you, fair lords. Then the old man said unto Arthur: Sir,
I bring here a young knight, the which is of king's lineage, and of the
kindred of Joseph of Aramathie, whereby the marvels of this court, and
of strange realms, shall be fully accomplished.

[1] Omitted by Caxton, supplied from W. de Worde.

CHAPTER IV. How the old man brought Galahad to the Siege Perilous and
set him therein, and how all the knights marvelled.

THE king was right glad of his words, and said unto the good man: Sir,
ye be right welcome, and the young knight with you. Then the old man
made the young man to unarm him, and he was in a coat of red sendal,
and bare a mantle upon his shoulder that was furred with ermine, and
put that upon him. And the old knight said unto the young knight: Sir,
follow me. And anon he led him unto the Siege Perilous, where beside
sat Sir Launcelot; and the good man lift up the cloth, and found there
letters that said thus: This is the siege of Galahad, the haut prince.
Sir, said the old knight, wit ye well that place is yours. And then he
set him down surely in that siege. And then he said to the old man: Sir,
ye may now go your way, for well have ye done that ye were commanded to
do; and recommend me unto my grandsire, King Pelles, and unto my lord
Petchere, and say them on my behalf, I shall come and see them as soon
as ever I may. So the good man departed; and there met him twenty noble
squires, and so took their horses and went their way.

Then all the knights of the Table Round marvelled greatly of Sir
Galahad, that he durst sit there in that Siege Perilous, and was so
tender of age; and wist not from whence he came but all only by God; and
said: This is he by whom the Sangreal shall be enchieved, for there sat
never none but he, but he were mischieved. Then Sir Launcelot beheld his
son and had great joy of him. Then Bors told his fellows: Upon pain of
my life this young knight shall come unto great worship. This noise
was great in all the court, so that it came to the queen. Then she had
marvel what knight it might be that durst adventure him to sit in the
Siege Perilous. Many said unto the queen he resembled