was a
lady, young, lusty, and fair. And she received him with great joy, and
made him to sit down by her, and so was he set to sup with flesh and
many dainties. And when Sir Bors saw that, he bethought him on his
penance, and bade a squire to bring him water. And so he brought him,
and he made sops therein and ate them. Ah, said the lady, I trow ye like
not my meat. Yes, truly, said Sir Bors, God thank you, madam, but I may
eat none other meat this day. Then she spake no more as at that time,
for she was loath to displease him. Then after supper they spake of one
thing and other.

With that came a squire and said: Madam, ye must purvey you to-morn for
a champion, for else your sister will have this castle and also your
lands, except ye can find a knight that will fight to-morn in your
quarrel against Pridam le Noire. Then she made sorrow and said: Ah,
Lord God, wherefore granted ye to hold my land, whereof I should now be
disherited without reason and right? And when Sir Bors had heard her
say thus, he said: I shall comfort you. Sir, said she, I shall tell you
there was here a king that hight Aniause, which held all this land in
his keeping. So it mishapped he loved a gentlewoman a great deal elder
than I. So took he her all this land to her keeping, and all his men to
govern; and she brought up many evil customs whereby she put to death a
great part of his kinsmen. And when he saw that, he let chase her out of
this land, and betook it me, and all this land in my demesnes. But anon
as that worthy king was dead, this other lady began to war upon me, and
hath destroyed many of my men, and turned them against me, that I have
well-nigh no man left me; and I have nought else but this high tower
that she left me. And yet she hath promised me to have this tower,
without I can find a knight to fight with her champion.

Now tell me, said Sir Bors, what is that Pridam le Noire? Sir, said she,
he is the most doubted man of this land. Now may ye send her word that
ye have found a knight that shall fight with that Pridam le Noire in
God's quarrel and yours. Then that lady was not a little glad, and sent
word that she was purveyed, and that night Bors had good cheer; but
in no bed he would come, but laid him on the floor, nor never would do
otherwise till that he had met with the quest of the Sangreal.

CHAPTER VIII. Of an advision which Sir Bors had that night, and how he
fought and overcame his adversary.

AND anon as he