th he, "I am called Clamados of the Shadows."

Messire Gawain that had repaired to court, was in the hall, and said to
the King: "If this squire be enemy of the Good Knight that ought to
bear this shield, behoveth you not set forward his mortal enemy but
rather set him back, for he is the Best Knight of the world and the
most chaste that liveth in the world and of the most holy lineage, and
therefore have you sojourned right long time in this castle to await
his coming. I say not this for the hindering of the squire's
advancement, but that you may do nought whereof the Good Knight may
have cause of complaint against you."

"Messire Gawain," saith Queen Guenievre, "well know I that you love my
Lord's honour, but sore blame will he have if he make not this one
knight, for so much hath he never refused to do for any; nor yet will
the Good Knight have any misliking thereof, for greater shame should he
have, and greater despite of the hatred of a squire than of a knight;
for never yet was good knight that was not prudent and well-advised and
slow to take offence. Wherefore I tell you that he will assuredly
listen to reason, and I commend my Lord the rather that he make him
knight, for much blame would he have of gainsaying him."

"Lady," saith Messire Gawain, "So you are content, I am happy."

The King made him knight right richly, and when he was clad in the
robes, they of the court declare and witness that never this long time
past had they seen at the court knight of greater comeliness. He
sojourned therein long time, and was much honoured of the King and all
the barons. He was every day on the watch for the Good Knight that
should come for the shield, but the hour and the place were not as yet.

II.

When he saw that he did not come, he took leave of the King and the
Queen and all them of the court, and departed, thinking him that he
would go prove his knighthood in some place until he should have heard
tidings of his mortal enemy. He rideth amidst the great forests
bearing a red shield like as did his father, and he was all armed as
for defending of his body. And a long space of time he rideth, until
one day he cometh to the head of a forest, and he espied his way that
ran between two mountains and saw that he had to pass along the midst
of the valley that lay at a great depth. He looketh before him and
seeth a tree far away from him, and underneath were three damsels
alighted, and one prayed God right hea