ster, and was much feared and honoured of all the knights of
the land, alike for his great wisdom and great pains-taking, as well as
for the valour of his knighthood.

BRANCH XVI.

TITLE I.

This High History saith that Messire Gawain and Lancelot were repaired
to the court of King Arthur from the quest they had achieved. The King
made great joy thereof and the Queen. King Arthur sate one day at meat
by the side of the Queen, and they had been served of the first meats.
Thereupon come two knights all armed, and each bore a dead knight
before him, and the knights were still armed as they had been when
their bodies were alive.

"Sir," say the knights, "This shame and this mischief is yours. In like
manner will you lose all your knights betimes and God love you not well
enough to give counsel herein forthwith of his mercy."

"Lords," saith the King, "How came these knights to be in so evil case?"

"Sir," say they, "It is of good right you ought to know. The Knight of
the Fiery Dragon is entered into the head of your land, and is
destroying knights and castles and whatsoever he may lay hands on, in
such sort that none durst contend against him, for he is taller by a
foot than any knight ever you had, and of grisly cheer, and so is his
sword three times bigger than the sword of ever another knight, and his
spear is well as heavy as a man may carry. Two knights might lightly
cover them of his shield, and it hath on the outer side the head of a
dragon that casteth forth fire and flame whensoever he will, so eager
and biting that none may long endure his encounter."

II.

"None other, how strong soever he be, may stand against him, and, even
as you see, hath he burnt and evil-entreated all other knights that
have withstood him."

"From what land hath come such manner of man?"

"Sir," say the knights, "He is come from the Giant's castle, and he
warreth upon you for the love of Logrin the Giant, whose head Messire
Kay brought you into your court, nor never, saith he, will he have joy
until such time as he shall have avenged him on your body or upon the
knight that you love best."

"Our Lord God," saith the King, "Will defend us from so evil a man."

He is risen from the table, all scared, and maketh carry the two dead
knights to be buried, and the others turn back again when they have
told their message. The King calleth Messire Gawain and Lancelot and
asketh them what he shall do of this knight that is