e, and the Best
Knight is he of the world. This say I for love of my brother, and I
love all knights for the love of him, but by the foolish wit of the
knight hath mine uncle King Fisherman fallen into languishment."

"Sir," saith the Lady, "Behoveth all good knights go see the rich King
Fisherman. Will you not therefore go?"

"Lady," saith Messire Gawain, "Yea, that will I, so speedily as I may,
for not elsewhither have I emprised my way."

"Sir," saith she, "Then are you going to see my son, wherefore tell my
son, and you see him, of mine evil plight and my misease, and King
Fisherman my brother. But take heed, Messire Gawain, that you be
better mindful than was the knight."

"Lady," saith Messire Gawain, "I shall do as God shall teach me."

In the meanwhile as they were speaking thus together, behold you
therewithal the Widow Lady's five knights that were come in from the
forest and make bring harts and hinds and wild swine. So they alighted
and made great joy of Messire Gawain when they knew who he was.

X.

When the meat was ready they sate to eat, and full plenteously were
they provided and right well were they served. Thereupon, behold,
cometh the squire that had opened the door for Messire Gawain, and
kneeleth before the Widow Lady.

"And what tidings?" saith she.

"Lady, there is to be a right great assembly of tourney in the valleys
that aforetime were ours. Already have they spread the Welsh booths,
and thither are come these two that are warring upon you and great
store other knights. And they have ordained that he which shall do
best at the assembly shall undertake the garrison of this castle in
such sort as that he shall hold it for his own alone against all other."

The Widow Lady beginneth to weep: "Sir," saith she to Messire Gawain,
"Now may you understand that the castle is not mine own, sith that
these knights say it is theirs as you hear."

"Certes, Lady," saith he, "Herein do they great dishonour and a sin."

XI.

When the table was removed the damsel fell at Messire Gawain's feet,
weeping. He raiseth her forthwith and saith to her, "Damsel, herein do
you ill."

"For God's sake, Sir, take pity on my Lady mother and me!"

"Certes, damsel, great pity have I of you."

"Sir, now shall it be seen in this strait whether you be good knight,
for good is the knighthood that doeth well for God's sake."

The Widow Lady and her daughter go into the chamber, and Messire
Gawain's