the Round Table who were not upon
adventure in some other part of the realm. As they so sat at high feast,
filling the hall with a great sound of merriment and good cheer,
commingled with the chanting of minstrels and the music of harps and
viols, there came one to where the King sat, and he said to him: "Lord,
there is a fellow without who demandeth to have speech with you, face to
face. Nor know we what to do in this case, for he will not be gainsaid,
but ever maketh that demand aforesaid."

Then King Arthur said: "Hah! say you so? Now what manner of man is he?
Is he a king or a duke or a high prince that he maketh such a demand as
that?" "Lord," said the messenger, "he is none of these, but only a
youth of twenty years, tall and very large of frame and beautiful of
face, and very proud and haughty in bearing. And he is clad like to a
yeoman in cloth of plain green, wherefore we know not what to think of
that demand he maketh to have speech with you." King Arthur said, "What
attendants hath he with him?" And the messenger said, "He hath no
attendants of any kind, saving only a dwarf who followeth after him."

Quoth the King: "Well, at this Feast of Pentecost far be it from me to
deny any man speech with me. So fetch this one hither that we may see
what manner of man he is."

[Sidenote: _Gareth cometh before the King._]

Therewith in obedience to the King's command, that attendant went forth
and anon he returned, bringing Gareth and the dwarf Axatalese with him.
And Gareth walked very proudly and haughtily up the hall and all who
looked upon him marvelled at his height and his girth and at the beauty
of his countenance. And many said: "Certes, that is a very
noble-appearing man to be clad in such plain raiment of green, for, from
his manner and his bearing, he would otherwise appear to be some
nobleman's son, or some one of other high degree."

So Gareth walked up the length of the hall with all gazing upon him, and
so he came and stood before the King and looked the King in the face,
regarding him very steadfastly and without any fear or awe--and few
there were who could so regard King Arthur.

Now Sir Kay the Seneschal stood behind the King's seat and when he
beheld how young Gareth fronted the King, look for look, he was very
wroth at the demeanor of that youth who stood thus before that royal
majesty. So he spoke aloud before all those who sat there in hall,
saying, to Gareth: "Sirrah, who are you who darest