rt in some sin. And there he took the sword, and
set the pieces together, and they soldered as fair as ever they were
to-fore; and there put he the sword in the sheath, and laid it down on
the bed. Then heard they a voice that said: Go out of this ship a little
while, and enter into the other, for dread ye fall in deadly sin, for
and ye be found in deadly sin ye may not escape but perish: and so
they went into the other ship. And as Nacien went over the board he was
smitten with a sword on the right foot, that he fell down noseling to
the ship's board; and therewith he said: O God, how am I hurt. And then
there came a voice and said: Take thou that for thy forfeit that thou
didst in drawing of this sword, therefore thou receivest a wound, for
thou were never worthy to handle it, as the writing maketh mention. In
the name of God, said Galahad, ye are right wise of these works.

CHAPTER V. How King Pelles was smitten through both thighs because he
drew the sword, and other marvellous histories.

SIR, said she, there was a king that hight Pelles, the maimed king. And
while he might ride he supported much Christendom and Holy Church. So
upon a day he hunted in a wood of his which lasted unto the sea; and at
the last he lost his hounds and his knights save only one: and there
he and his knight went till that they came toward Ireland, and there he
found the ship. And when he saw the letters and understood them, yet he
entered, for he was right perfect of his life, but his knight had none
hardiness to enter; and there found he this sword, and drew it out
as much as ye may see. So therewith entered a spear wherewith he was
smitten him through both the thighs, and never sith might he be healed,
nor nought shall to-fore we come to him. Thus, said she, was not King
Pelles, your grandsire, maimed for his hardiness? In the name of God,
damosel, said Galahad.

So they went toward the bed to behold all about it, and above the head
there hung two swords. Also there were two spindles which were as white
as any snow, and other that were as red as blood, and other above green
as any emerald: of these three colours were the spindles, and of natural
colour within, and without any painting. These spindles, said the
damosel, were when sinful Eve came to gather fruit, for which Adam and
she were put out of paradise, she took with her the bough on which the
apple hung on. Then perceived she that the branch was fair and green,
and she re