ng against the pillar and
set therein that which they have brought, and afterward they make the
sign of the cross over the pillar and come back again. But on their
going back, it seemed to Messire Gawain that only one was there.
Messire Gawain much marvelled him of this miracle. He goeth after the
clerk that carried the other vessel of gold, and saith unto him: "Fair
Sir, speak to me."

"What is your pleasure?" saith the clerk.

"Whither carry you this golden vessel and that which is therein?"

"To the hermits," saith he, "that are in this forest, and to the Good
knight that lieth sick in the house of his uncle King Hermit."

"Is it far from hence?" saith Messire Gawain.

"Yea, Sir," saith the clerk, "to yourself. But I shall be there sooner
than will you."

"By God," saith Messire Gawain, "I would fain I were there now, so that
I might see him and speak to him."

"That believe I well," saith the clerk, "But now is the place not here."

Messire Gawain taketh leave and goeth his way and rideth until he
findeth a hermitage and seeth the hermit therewithout. He was old and
bald and of good life.

"Sir," saith he to Messire Gawain, "Whither go you?"

"To the land of King Gurgalain, Sir; is this the way?"

"Yea," saith the hermit, "But many knights have passed hereby that
hither have never returned."

"Is it far?" saith he.

"He and his land are hard by, but far away is the castle wherein is the
sword."

Messire Gawain lay the night therewithin. On the morrow when he had
heard mass, he departed and rode until he cometh to the land of King
Gurgalain, and heareth the folk of the land making dole right sore.
And he meeteth a knight that cometh a great pace to a castle.

IV.

"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Wherefore make the folk of this castle
such dole, and they of all this land and all this country? For I hear
them weep and beat their palms together on every side."

"Sir," saith he, "I will tell you. King Gurgalain had one only son of
whom he hath been bereft by a Giant that hath done him many mischiefs
and wasted much of his land. Now hath the King let everywhere be cried
that to him that shall bring back his son and slay the Giant he will
give the fairest sword of the world, the which sword he hath, and of
all his treasure so much as he may be fain to take. As at this time,
he findeth no knight so hardy that he durst go; and much more blameth
he his own law than the law of the Christians, and h