imor of all the
customs and vows of the noble order of knighthood, and shew how he might
become a well-ruled and a hardy knight to win good fame and renown.
For between these two from the first there was close brotherhood and
affiance, though in years and in breeding they were so far apart, and
this brotherhood endured until the last, as ye shall see, nor was the
affiance broken.

Thus willingly learned the youth of his master; being instructed first
in the art and craft to manage and guide a horse; then to handle the
shield and the spear, and both to cut and to foin with the sword; and
last of all in the laws of honour and courtesy, whereby a man may rule
his own spirit and so obtain grace of God, praise of princes, and favour
of fair ladies.

"For this I tell thee," said Sir Lancelot, as they sat together under
an apple-tree, "there be many good fighters that are false knights,
breaking faith with man and woman, envious, lustful and orgulous. In
them courage is cruel, and love is lecherous. And in the end they shall
come to shame and shall be overcome by a simpler knight than themselves;
or else they shall win sorrow and despite by the slaying of better men
than they be; and with their paramours they shall have weary dole and
distress of soul and body; for he that is false, to him shall none be
true, but all things shall be unhappy about him."

"But how and if a man be true in heart," said Martimor, "yet by some
enchantment, or evil fortune, he may do an ill deed and one that is
harmful to his lord or to his friend, even as Balin and his brother
Balan slew each the other unknown?"

"That is in God's hand," said Lancelot. "Doubtless he may pardon and
assoil all such in their unhappiness, forasmuch as the secret of it is
with him."

"And how if a man be entangled in love," said Martimor, "Yet his love be
set upon one that is not lawful for him to have? For either he must deny
his love, which is great shame, or else he must do dishonour to the law.
What shall he then do?"

At this Sir Lancelot was silent, and heaved a great sigh. Then said he:
"Rest assured that this man shall have sorrow enough. For out of
this net he may not escape, save by falsehood on the one side, or by
treachery on the other. Therefore say I that he shall not assay to
escape, but rather right manfully to bear the bonds with which he is
bound, and to do honour to them."'

"How may this be?" said Martimor.

"By clean living," said Lancelot