the cloth, and then
his enemies saw a figure of a man on the Cross, wherethrough they
all were discomfit. And so it befell that a man of King Evelake's was
smitten his hand off, and bare that hand in his other hand; and Joseph
called that man unto him and bade him go with good devotion touch the
Cross. And as soon as that man had touched the Cross with his hand it
was as whole as ever it was to-fore. Then soon after there fell a great
marvel, that the cross of the shield at one time vanished away that no
man wist where it became. And then King Evelake was baptised, and for
the most part all the people of that city. So, soon after Joseph would
depart, and King Evelake would go with him, whether he wold or nold.
And so by fortune they came into this land, that at that time was called
Great Britain; and there they found a great felon paynim, that put
Joseph into prison. And so by fortune tidings came unto a worthy man
that hight Mondrames, and he assembled all his people for the great
renown he had heard of Joseph; and so he came into the land of Great
Britain and disherited this felon paynim and consumed him, and therewith
delivered Joseph out of prison. And after that all the people were
turned to the Christian faith.

CHAPTER XI. How Joseph made a cross on the white shield with his blood,
and how Galahad was by a monk brought to a tomb.

NOT long after that Joseph was laid in his deadly bed. And when King
Evelake saw that he made much sorrow, and said: For thy love I have left
my country, and sith ye shall depart out of this world, leave me some
token of yours that I may think on you. Joseph said: That will I do
full gladly; now bring me your shield that I took you when ye went into
battle against King Tolleme. Then Joseph bled sore at the nose, so that
he might not by no mean be staunched. And there upon that shield he made
a cross of his own blood. Now may ye see a remembrance that I love you,
for ye shall never see this shield but ye shall think on me, and it
shall be always as fresh as it is now. And never shall man bear this
shield about his neck but he shall repent it, unto the time that
Galahad, the good knight, bear it; and the last of my lineage shall have
it about his neck, that shall do many marvellous deeds. Now, said King
Evelake, where shall I put this shield, that this worthy knight may have
it? Ye shall leave it thereas Nacien, the hermit, shall be put after his
death; for thither shall that good