le, trouble,
and grief, for the marvellous spear was the same with which Longius,
the Roman soldier, smote our Lord Jesus Christ to the heart at the
crucifixion.

Then departed Balin from Merlin, never to meet him again, and rode
forth through the fair countries and cities about Pellam Castle, and
found people dead, slain on every side. And all that were left alive
cried: "O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these countries, for
by the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King Pellam three countries are
destroyed, and doubt not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the
last."

When Balin was out of those countries he was passing glad, and after
many days he came by a cross, whereon were letters of gold written that
said, "It is not for any knight alone to ride towards this castle."
Then saw he an old hoary gentleman coming towards him that said, "Balin
the Wild, thou passest thy bounds to come this way; therefore turn
again and it will avail thee." The old gentleman vanished away, and
then Balin heard a horn blow, as if for the death of a beast in the
chase. "That blast," said he, "is blown for me, for I am the prize,
yet am I not dead." Anon he saw a hundred ladies and many knights,
that welcomed him with fair semblance, and made him passing good cheer
seemingly, and led him into the castle, where there were dancing and
minstrelsy, and all manner of joy.

Then the chief lady of the castle said, "Knight, you must have ado with
a knight close by that keepeth an island, for there may no man pass
this way but he must joust, ere he go farther."

"That is an unhappy custom," said Balin, "that a knight may not pass
this way unless he joust, but since that is my duty, thereto am I
ready. Travelling men are oft weary, and their horses also; but though
my horse be weary my heart is not weary."

"Sir," said the knight then to Balin, "me thinketh your shield is not
good; I will lend you a better."

So Balin took the shield that was unknown, and left his own, and rode
unto the island. He put himself and his horse in a great boat, and
when he came on the other side he met with a damsel, and she said, "O
Knight Balin, why hast thou left thine own shield? Alas! thou hast put
thyself in great danger, for by thine own shield thou shouldst have
been known. It is a great pity, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou
hast no equal living."

"Me repenteth," said Balin, "that ever I came within this country, but
I may not