ill he depart forthwith from hence?" saith the King.

"Sir," saith the master, "Not before he hath been in this hall, but he
hath had sore travail and therefore he taketh rest."

When the King heard say that he would come into his palace, thereof had
he great joy. He cometh to the Queen's chamber and telleth her how the
ship is arrived. The Queen riseth and two of her damsels with her, and
apparelleth her of a kirtle of cloth of silk, furred of ermine, and
cometh into the midst of the hall. Thereupon behold you, the knight
that cometh all armed and the master of the ship before him bearing the
twisted link of wax in the candlestick of gold in front of him, and the
knight held his sword all naked.

"Sir," saith the Queen, "Well may you be welcome!"

"Lady," saith he, "God grant you joy and good adventure."

"Sir," saith she, "Please God we have nought to fear of you?"

"Lady," saith he, "No fear ought you to have!"

The King seeth that he beareth the red shield with the white hart
whereof he had heard tell. The brachet that was in the hall heareth
the knight. He cometh racing toward him and leapeth about his legs and
maketh great joy of him. And the knight playeth with him, then taketh
the shield that hung at the column, and hangeth the other there, and
cometh back thereafter toward the door of the hall.

"Lady," saith the King, "Pray the knight that he go not so hastily."

"Sir," saith the knight, "No leisure have I to abide, but at some time
shall you see me again."

The knights also say as much, and the King and Queen are right heavy of
his departure, but they durst not press him beyond his will. He is
entered into the ship, and the brachet with him. The master draweth the
boat within, and so they depart and leave the castle behind. King
Arthur abideth at Pannenoisance, and is right sorrowful of the knight,
that he hath gone his way so soon. The knights arose throughout the
castle when the day waxed light, and learnt the tidings of the knight
that had borne the shield thence, and were right grieved for that they
had not seen him. The damsel that had asked the boon cometh to the King.

"Sir," saith she, "Did you speak of my business to the knight?"

"Damsel," saith the King, "Never a whit! to my sorrow, for he hath
departed sooner than I would!"

"Sir," saith she, "You have done a wrong and a sin, but, please God, so
good a King as are you shall not fail of his covenants to damsel so
forlorn as am