urn into this city within a year from
this, and that you will set your head in the same jeopardy without
challenge, as I have set mine."

"By my head," saith Lancelot, "Needeth no argument that I shall choose
respite of death to dying here on the spot. But I marvel me of this
that you are so fairly apparelled to receive your death."

XIII.

"Sir," saith the Knight, "He that would go before the Saviour of the
World ought of right to apparel him as fairly as he may. I am by
confession purged of all wickedness and of all the misdeeds that ever I
have committed, and do repent me truly thereof, wherefore at this
moment am I fain to die."

Therewithal he holdeth forth the axe, and Lancelot taketh it and seeth
that it is right keen and well whetted.

"Sir," saith the Knight, "Hold up your hand toward the minster that you
see yonder."

"Sir," saith Lancelot, "Willingly."

"Thus, then, will you swear to me upon the holy relics that are within
this minster, that on this day year at the hour that you shall have
slain me, or before, you yourself will come back here and place your
head in the very same peril as I shall have placed mine, without
default?"

"Thus," saith Lancelot, "do I swear and give you thereto my pledge."

With that, the Knight kneeleth and stretcheth his neck as much as he
may, and Lancelot taketh the axe in his hands, and then saith to him,
"Sir Knight, for God's sake, have mercy on yourself!"

"Let cut off my head!" saith the Knight, "For otherwise may I not have
mercy upon you!"

"In God's name," saith Lancelot, "fain would I deny you!"

With that, he swingeth the axe and cutteth off the head with such a
sweep that he maketh it fly seven foot high from the body. The Knight
fell to the ground when his head was cut off, and Lancelot flung down
the axe, and thinketh that he will make but an ill stay there for
himself. He cometh to his horse, and taketh his arms and mounteth and
looketh behind him, but seeth neither the body of the Knight nor the
head, neither knoweth he what hath become of them all, save only that
he heard much dole and a great cry far off in the city of knights and
ladies, saying that he shall be avenged, please God, at the term set,
or before. Lancelot hath heard and understood all that the knights say
and the ladies, and issueth forth of the city.

BRANCH VIII.

Of the most Holy Graal here beginneth another branch in such wise as
the authority witnesseth and Joseph