erward,
toward the end of the Death of Arthur. So many lords and barons of this
realm were displeased, for their children were so lost, and many put the
wite on Merlin more than on Arthur; so what for dread and for love, they
held their peace. But when the messenger came to King Rience, then
was he wood out of measure, and purveyed him for a great host, as it
rehearseth after in the book of Balin le Savage, that followeth next
after, how by adventure Balin gat the sword.

Explicit liber primus. Incipit liber secundus

BOOK II.

CHAPTER I. Of a damosel which came girt with a sword for to find a man
of such virtue to draw it out of the scabbard.

AFTER the death of Uther Pendragon reigned Arthur his son, the which had
great war in his days for to get all England into his hand. For there
were many kings within the realm of England, and in Wales, Scotland, and
Cornwall. So it befell on a time when King Arthur was at London, there
came a knight and told the king tidings how that the King Rience of
North Wales had reared a great number of people, and were entered into
the land, and burnt and slew the king's true liege people. If this be
true, said Arthur, it were great shame unto mine estate but that he were
mightily withstood. It is truth, said the knight, for I saw the host
myself. Well, said the king, let make a cry, that all the lords,
knights, and gentlemen of arms, should draw unto a castle called Camelot
in those days, and there the king would let make a council-general and a
great jousts.

So when the king was come thither with all his baronage, and lodged as
they seemed best, there was come a damosel the which was sent on message
from the great lady Lile of Avelion. And when she came before King
Arthur, she told from whom she came, and how she was sent on message
unto him for these causes. Then she let her mantle fall that was richly
furred; and then was she girt with a noble sword whereof the king had
marvel, and said, Damosel, for what cause are ye girt with that sword?
it beseemeth you not. Now shall I tell you, said the damosel; this sword
that I am girt withal doth me great sorrow and cumbrance, for I may not
be delivered of this sword but by a knight, but he must be a passing
good man of his hands and of his deeds, and without villainy or
treachery, and without treason. And if I may find such a knight that
hath all these virtues, he may draw out this sword out of the sheath,
for I have been at K