not endure, now have I slain
that I most loved in all my life; and therewith suddenly he rove himself
on his own sword unto the hilts. When Balin saw that, he dressed him
thenceward, lest folk would say he had slain them; and so he rode forth,
and within three days he came by a cross, and thereon were letters of
gold written, that said, It is not for no knight alone to ride toward
this castle. Then saw he an old hoar gentleman coming toward him,
that said, Balin le Savage, thou passest thy bounds to come this way,
therefore turn again and it will avail thee. And he vanished away anon;
and so he heard an horn blow as it had been the death of a beast. That
blast, said Balin, is blown for me, for I am the prize and yet am I
not dead. Anon withal he saw an hundred ladies and many knights, that
welcomed him with fair semblant, and made him passing good cheer unto
his sight, and led him into the castle, and there was dancing and
minstrelsy and all manner of joy. Then the chief lady of the castle
said, Knight with the Two Swords, ye must have ado and joust with a
knight hereby that keepeth an island, for there may no man pass this
way but he must joust or he pass. That is an unhappy custom, said Balin,
that a knight may not pass this way but if he joust. Ye shall not have
ado but with one knight, said the lady.

Well, said Balin, since I shall thereto I am ready, but travelling men
are oft weary and their horses too, but though my horse be weary my
heart is not weary, I would be fain there my death should be. Sir, said
a knight to Balin, methinketh your shield is not good, I will lend you
a bigger. Thereof I pray you. And so he took the shield that was unknown
and left his own, and so rode unto the island, and put him and his
horse in a great boat; and when he came on the other side he met with a
damosel, and she said, O knight Balin, why have ye left your own shield?
alas ye have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield ye should
have been known; it is great pity of you as ever was of knight, for of
thy prowess and hardiness thou hast no fellow living. Me repenteth,
said Balin, that ever I came within this country, but I may not turn
now again for shame, and what adventure shall fall to me, be it life
or death, I will take the adventure that shall come to me. And then he
looked on his armour, and understood he was well armed, and therewith
blessed him and mounted upon his horse.

CHAPTER XVIII. How Balin met wit