, "and by keeping himself from wine
which heats the blood, and by quests and labours and combats wherein the
fierceness of the heart is spent and overcome, and by inward joy in the
pure worship of his lady, whereat none may take offence."

"How then shall a man bear himself in the following of a quest?" said
Martimor. "Shall he set his face ever forward, and turn not to right,
or left, whatever meet him by the way? Or shall he hold himself ready to
answer them that call to him, and to succour them that ask help of him,
and to turn aside from his path for rescue and good service?"

"Enough of questions!" said Lancelot. "These are things whereto each man
must answer for himself, and not for other. True knight taketh counsel
of the time. Every day his own deed. And the winning of a quest is not
by haste, nor by hap, but what needs to be done, that must ye do while
ye are in the way."

Then because of the love that Sir Lancelot bore to Martimor he gave
him his own armour, and the good spear wherewith he had unhorsed many
knights, and the sword that he took from Sir Peris de Forest Savage that
distressed all ladies, but his shield he gave not, for therein his own
remembrance was blazoned. So he let make a new shield, and in the
corner was painted a Blue Flower that was nameless, and this he gave to
Martimor, saying: "Thou shalt name it when thou hast found it, and so
shalt thou have both crest and motto."

"Now am I well beseen," cried Martimor, "and my adventures are before
me. Which way shall I ride, and where shall I find them?"

"Ride into the wind," said Lancelot, "and what chance soever it blows
thee, thereby do thy best, as it were the first and the last. Take not
thy hand from it until it be fulfilled. So shalt thou most quickly and
worthily achieve knighthood."

Then they embraced like brothers; and each bade other keep him well; and
Sir Lancelot in leather jerkin, with naked head, but with his shield
and sword, rode to the south toward Camelot; and Martimor rode into the
wind, westward, over the hill.

III

How Martimor Came to the Mill a Stayed in a Delay

So by wildsome ways in strange countries and through many waters and
valleys rode Martimor forty days, but adventure met him none, blow the
wind never so fierce or fickle. Neither dragons, nor giants, nor false
knights, nor distressed ladies, nor fays, nor kings imprisoned could he
find.

"These are ill times for adventure," said he, "the world i