tereth within and findeth
the city all void of folk, and seeth the great palaces fallen down and
waste, and the great grave-yards full of sepulchres, and the tall
churches all lying waste, and the markets and exchanges all empty. He
rideth amidst the streets, and findeth a great palace that seemeth him
to be better and more ancient than all the others. He bideth awhile
before it and heareth within how knights and ladies are making great
dole. And they say to a knight: "Ha, God, sore grief and pity is this
of you, that you must needs die in such manner, and that your death may
not be respited! Sore hatred ought we to bear toward him that hath
adjudged you such a death."

The knights and ladies swoon over him as he departeth. Lancelot hath
heard all this and much marvelleth he thereof, but nought thereof may
he see.

XII.

Thereupon, lo you, the knight that cometh down into the midst of the
hall, clad in a short red jerkin; and he was girt with a rich girdle of
gold, and had a rich clasp at his neck wherein were many rich stones,
and on his head had he a great cap of gold, and he held great axe. The
knight was of great comeliness and young of age. Lancelot seeth him
coming, and looketh upon him right fainly when he seeth him appear.
And the knight saith to him, "Sir, alight!"

"Certes," saith Lancelot, "Willingly."

He alighteth and maketh his horse fast to a ring of silver that was on
the mounting-stage, and putteth his shield from his neck and his spear
from his hand.

"Sir," saith he to the knight, "What is your pleasure?"

"Sir, needs must you cut me off my head with this axe, for of this
weapon hath my death been adjudged, but and you will not, I will cut
off your own therewith."

"Hold, Sir," saith Lancelot, "What is this you tell me?"

"Sir," saith the knight, "you must needs do even as I say, sith that
you are come into this city."

"Sir," saith Lancelot, "Right foolish were he that in such a jeopardy
should not do the best for himself, but blamed shall I be thereof and I
shall slay you when you have done me no wrong."

"Certes," saith the Knight, "In no otherwise may you go hence."

"Fair Sir," saith Lancelot, "So gentle are you and so well nurtured,
how cometh it that you take your death so graciously? You know well
that I shall kill you before you shall kill me, sith that so it is."

"This know I well for true," saith the Knight, "But you will promise me
before I die, that you will ret