he knight Balin told his brother of his
adventure of the sword, and of the death of the Lady of the Lake, and
how King Arthur was displeased with him. Wherefore he sent this knight
after me, that lieth here dead, and the death of this damosel grieveth
me sore. So doth it me, said Balan, but ye must take the adventure that
God will ordain you. Truly, said Balin, I am right heavy that my Lord
Arthur is displeased with me, for he is the most worshipful knight that
reigneth now on earth, and his love will I get or else will I put my
life in adventure. For the King Rience lieth at a siege at the Castle
Terrabil, and thither will we draw in all haste, to prove our worship
and prowess upon him. I will well, said Balan, that we do, and we will
help each other as brethren ought to do.

CHAPTER VII. How a dwarf reproved Balin for the death of Lanceor, and
how King Mark of Cornwall found them, and made a tomb over them.

Now go we hence, said Balin, and well be we met. The meanwhile as they
talked, there came a dwarf from the city of Camelot on horseback, as
much as he might; and found the dead bodies, wherefore he made great
dole, and pulled out his hair for sorrow, and said, Which of you knights
have done this deed? Whereby askest thou it? said Balan. For I would wit
it, said the dwarf. It was I, said Balin, that slew this knight in my
defence, for hither he came to chase me, and either I must slay him or
he me; and this damosel slew herself for his love, which repenteth me,
and for her sake I shall owe all women the better love. Alas, said the
dwarf, thou hast done great damage unto thyself, for this knight that is
here dead was one of the most valiantest men that lived, and trust well,
Balin, the kin of this knight will chase you through the world till they
have slain you. As for that, said Balin, I fear not greatly, but I am
right heavy that I have displeased my lord King Arthur, for the death of
this knight. So as they talked together, there came a king of Cornwall
riding, the which hight King Mark. And when he saw these two bodies
dead, and understood how they were dead, by the two knights above said,
then made the king great sorrow for the true love that was betwixt them,
and said, I will not depart till I have on this earth made a tomb, and
there he pight his pavilions and sought through all the country to find
a tomb, and in a church they found one was fair and rich, and then the
king let put them both in the earth,