and many a poor widow and maiden. But because so many of
the knights of the Round Table were absent there was little help
to be had, and Arthur's face grew sadder and sadder as time went
on.

At last, after the twelvemonth and the day had passed, those in
Camelot began to look for the return of the knights who had taken
the vow. Alas, though they waited all day long, only Sir Gawain,
Sir Bors, Sir Perceval, and Sir Lancelot returned. In the evening
the knights of the Round Table assembled in the great hall. When
each was seated, the king rose, and said to those who had been
upon the quest:

"My lords, I need only look at your faces to know that you have
fared ill. I dare not think of those of you who have not come
back. And now, Perceval, my knight who, next to Galahad, has the
purest soul, tell me what has happened to you."

Sir Perceval rose slowly from his chair and said:

"Dear my liege, when I left your court on the sad morning that we
all set forth, I did not feel the grief that many of the other
knights felt. I had been fighting so well, so many lances had
gone down before my stroke, that I was full of confidence in what
I could do.

"I rode happily, planning all the great victories I should win.
I was sure if I righted a great many wrongs, I should soon see
the Grail. But after many days I began to grow weary. I was
riding through rough forests, and the branches bruised me and my
horse; there seemed to be no great deeds to do. I could not even
slay wild beasts, and so be of use to the poor country people. My
bed was on the hard ground, and my food was wild berries.

"One day I came to a great castle, and here I decided to rest.
When I entered, I was warmly greeted and brought to the princess
of the castle. I found her to be one whom I had loved long ago in
her father's court. I was but a young squire and she was a great
princess, and so I had gone away without telling her how dear I
held her.

"She greeted me kindly, and after a time she began to love me.
Soon I wondered whether I was fit to see the Holy Grail. I
thought perhaps I was one of those who were pursuing a wandering
fire. And then the people of the castle begged me to marry their
princess, and be their lord and live a happy and easeful life.

"One night I awoke, and thought longingly of the Holy Grail.
Whether I were fit to see the vision or not, I had at least sworn
to seek it for a year and a day. And yet, I had not tried two
months! I