soul, Uther Pendragon. And therewith the messengers
departed passingly wroth, and King Arthur as wroth, for in evil time
came they then; for the king was passingly wroth for the hurt of Sir
Griflet. And so he commanded a privy man of his chamber that or it be
day his best horse and armour, with all that longeth unto his person, be
without the city or to-morrow day. Right so or to-morrow day he met with
his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed his shield and took
his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again.
And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day, and then was he ware
of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain him. Then the king
rode unto them, and bade them: Flee, churls! then were they afeard when
they saw a knight, and fled. O Merlin, said Arthur, here hadst thou been
slain for all thy crafts had I not been. Nay, said Merlin, not so, for
I could save myself an I would; and thou art more near thy death than I
am, for thou goest to the deathward, an God be not thy friend.

So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain, and the rich
pavilion there by it. Then King Arthur was ware where sat a knight armed
in a chair. Sir knight, said Arthur, for what cause abidest thou here,
that there may no knight ride this way but if he joust with thee? said
the king. I rede thee leave that custom, said Arthur. This custom, said
the knight, have I used and will use maugre who saith nay, and who is
grieved with my custom let him amend it that will. I will amend it, said
Arthur. I shall defend thee, said the knight. Anon he took his horse
and dressed his shield and took a spear, and they met so hard either
in other's shields, that all to-shivered their spears. Therewith anon
Arthur pulled out his sword. Nay, not so, said the knight; it is fairer,
said the knight, that we twain run more together with sharp spears. I
will well, said Arthur, an I had any more spears. I have enow, said the
knight; so there came a squire and brought two good spears, and Arthur
chose one and he another; so they spurred their horses and came together
with all their mights, that either brake their spears to their hands.
Then Arthur set hand on his sword. Nay, said the knight, ye shall do
better, ye are a passing good jouster as ever I met withal, and once
for the love of the high order of knighthood let us joust once again.
I assent me, said Arthur. Anon there were brought two great spears, and
every k