VI.

Thereupon the knight and the damsels depart and pass the narrow strait
in the lion's field, and ride on until they draw nigh a right rich
castle seated in a meadowland surrounded of great waters and high
forests, and the castle was always void of folk. And they were fain to
turn thitherward, but they met a squire that told them that in the
castle was not a soul, albeit and they would ride forward they would
find great plenty of folk. So far forward have they ridden that they
are come to the head of a forest and see great foison of tents
stretched right in the midst of a launde, and they were compassed round
of a great white sheet that seemed from afar to be a long white wall
with crenels, and it was a good league Welsh in length. They came to
the entrance of the tents and heard great joy within, and when they had
entered they saw dames and damsels, whereof was great plenty, and of
right passing great beauty were they. Clamados alighteth, that was
right sore wounded. The Damsel of the Car was received with right
great joy. Two of the damsels come to Clamados, of whom make they
right great joy. Afterward they lead him to a tent and made disarm
him. Then they washed his wounds right sweetly and tenderly. Then
they brought him a right rich robe and made him be apparelled therein,
and led him before the ladies of the tents, that made right great joy
of him.

VII.

"Lady," saith the Damsel of the Car, "This knight hath saved my life,
for he hath slain the lion on account of which many folk durst not come
to you, wherefore make great joy of him."

"Greater joy may I not make, than I do, nor the damsels that are
herein, for we await the coming of the Good Knight that is healed, from
day to day. And now is there nought in the world I more desire to see."

"Lady," saith Clamados, "Who is this Good Knight?"

"The son of the Widow Lady of the Valleys of Camelot," saith she.

"Tell me, Lady, do you say that he will come hither presently?"

"So methinketh," saith she.

"Lady, I also shall have great joy thereof, and God grant he come
betimes!"

"Sir Knight," saith she, "What is your name?"

"Lady" saith he, "I am called Clamados, and I am son of the lord of the
Forest of Shadows."

She throweth her arms on his neck and kisseth and embraceth him right
sweetly, and saith: "Marvel not that I make you joy thereof, for you
are the son of my sister-in-law, nor have I any friend nor
blood-kindred so nigh a