celot, and
despoiled him, and clothed him in another array, the which was all full
of knots, and set him upon an ass, and so he rode till he came to the
fairest well that ever he saw; and Sir Launcelot alighted and would have
drunk of that well. And when he stooped to drink of the water the water
sank from him. And when Sir Launcelot saw that, he turned and went
thither as the head came from. And in the meanwhile he trowed that
himself and Sir Ector rode till that they came to a rich man's house
where there was a wedding. And there he saw a king the which said: Sir
knight, here is no place for you. And then he turned again unto the
chair that he came from.

Thus within a while both Gawaine and Ector awaked, and either told other
of their advision, the which marvelled them greatly. Truly, said Ector,
I shall never be merry till I hear tidings of my brother Launcelot. Now
as they sat thus talking they saw an hand showing unto the elbow, and
was covered with red samite, and upon that hung a bridle not right rich,
and held within the fist a great candle which burned right clear, and so
passed afore them, and entered into the chapel, and then vanished away
and they wist not where. And anon came down a voice which said: Knights
of full evil faith and of poor belief, these two things have failed you,
and therefore ye may not come to the adventures of the Sangreal.

Then first spake Gawaine and said: Ector, have ye heard these words? Yea
truly, said Sir Ector, I heard all. Now go we, said Sir Ector, unto some
hermit that will tell us of our advision, for it seemeth me we labour
all in vain. And so they departed and rode into a valley, and there met
with a squire which rode on an hackney, and they saluted him fair. Sir,
said Gawaine, can thou teach us to any hermit? Here is one in a
little mountain, but it is so rough there may no horse go thither, and
therefore ye must go upon foot; there shall ye find a poor house, and
there is Nacien the hermit, which is the holiest man in this country.
And so they departed either from other.

And then in a valley they met with a knight all armed, which proffered
them to joust as far as he saw them. In the name of God, said Sir
Gawaine, sith I departed from Camelot there was none proffered me to
joust but once. And now, sir, said Ector, let me joust with him. Nay,
said Gawaine, ye shall not but if I be beat; it shall not for-think me
then if ye go after me. And then either embraced other to