e seen on this high day, or on
other days that were not less high than this, when you have had such
throng of knights at your court that right uneath might any number
them. Now every day are so few therein that much shame have I thereof,
nor no more do no adventures befal therein. Wherefore great fear have I
lest God hath put you into forgetfulness."

"Certes, Lady," saith the King, "No will have I to do largesse nor
aught that turneth to honour. Rather is my desire changed into
feebleness of heart. And by this know I well that I lose my knights
and the love of my friends."

"Sir," saith the Queen, "And were you to go to the chapel of S.
Augustine, that is in the White Forest, that may not be found save by
adventure only, methinketh that on your back-repair you would again
have your desire of well-doing, for never yet did none discounselled
ask counsel of God but he would give it for love of him so he asked it
of a good heart."

"Lady," saith the King, "And willingly will I go, forasmuch as that you
say have I heard well witnessed in many places where I have been."

"Sir," saith she, "The place is right perilous and the chapel right
adventurous. But the most worshipful hermit that is in the Kingdom of
Wales hath his dwelling beside the chapel, nor liveth he now any longer
for nought save only the glory of God."

"Lady," saith the King, "It will behove me go thither all armed and
without knights."

"Sir," saith she, "You may well take with you one knight and a squire."

"Lady," saith the King, "That durst not I, for the place is perilous,
and the more folk one should take thither, the fewer adventures there
should he find."

"Sir," saith she, "One squire shall you take by my good will nor shall
nought betide you thereof save good only, please God!"

"Lady," saith the King, "At your pleasure be it, but much dread I that
nought shall come of it save evil only."

Thereupon the King riseth up from beside the Queen, and looketh before
him and seeth a youth tall and strong and comely and young, that was
hight Chaus, and he was the son of Ywain li Aoutres.

"Lady," saith he to the Queen, "This one will I take with me and you
think well."

"Sir," saith she, "It pleaseth me well, for I have heard much witness
to his valour."

The King calleth the squire, and he cometh and kneeleth down before
him. The King maketh him rise and saith unto him, "Chaus," saith he,
"You shall lie within to-night, in this hall, an