hts that had but one
hand and were in chains. After that, came other knights that had each
but one foot and brought in the fourth course. At the fifth course
came knights right fair and tall, and each brought a naked sword in his
hand and presented their heads to the Lady.

VIII.

Lancelot beheld the martyrdom of these knights, and sore misliking had
he of the services of such folk. They are risen from meat and the lady
goeth to her chamber and sitteth on a couch.

"Lancelot," saith the Lady, "you have seen the justice and the lordship
of my castle. All these knights have been conquered at the passing of
my door."

"Lady," saith Lancelot, "foul mischance hath befallen them."

"The like mischance would have befallen you had you not been knight so
good. And greatly have I desired to see you this long time past. And
I will make you lord of this castle and myself."

"Lady," saith he, "the lordship of this castle hold I of yourself
without mesne, and to you have I neither wish nor right to refuse it.
Rather am I willing to be at your service."

"Then," saith she, "you will abide with me in this castle, for more do
I love you than any other knight that liveth."

"Lady," saith Lancelot, "Gramercy, but in no castle may I abide more
than one night until I have been thither whither behoveth me to go."

"Whither are you bound?" saith she.

"Lady," saith he, "to the Castle of Souls."

"Well know I the castle," saith she. "The King hath the name Fisherman,
and lieth in languishment on account of two knights that have been at
his castle and made not good demand. Would you fain go thither?" saith
the Lady.

"Yea," saith Lancelot.

"Then pledge me your faith that you will return by me to speak to me,
so the Graal shall appear to you and you ask whereof it serveth."

"Yea, truly," saith Lancelot, "were you beyond sea!"

"Sir," saith one of the damsels, "So much may you well promise, for the
Graal appeareth not to no knight so wanton as be ye. For you love the
Queen Guenievre, the wife of your lord, King Arthur, nor so long as
this love lieth at your heart may you never behold the Graal."

IX.

Lancelot heard the damsel and blushed of despite.

"Ha, Lancelot," saith the Lady, "Love you other than me?"

"Lady," saith he, "the damsel may say her pleasure."

Lancelot lay the night at the castle, and right wroth was he of the
damsel that calleth the love of him and the Queen disloyal. And the
morrow when