and if the damsel had nor respited the day until the fortieth after the
King's return, vengeance would have been taken of Kay or ever he might
have turned him thence. For never did no man see greater dole made in
the King's court than they of the Table Round made for the youth. King
Arthur and the Queen were so stricken of sorrow that none durst call
upon them to make cheer. The damsel that brought thither the coffer
was well avenged of the shame that Messire Kay the Seneschal had done
her on a day that was past, for this thing would not have been known so
soon save it had been by her.

VII.

When the mourning for the King's son was abated, Lancelot and many
others said unto him, "Sir, you know well that God willeth you should
go to the castle that was King Fisherman's on pilgrimage to the most
Holy Graal, for it is not right to delay a thing that one hath in
covenant with God."

"Lords," saith the King, "right willingly will I go, and thereto am I
right well disposed."

The King apparelleth himself for the pilgrimage, and saith that Messire
Gawain and Lancelot shall go with him, without more knights, and taketh
a squire to wait upon his body, and the Queen herself would he have
taken thither but for the mourning she made for her son, whereof none
might give her any comfort. But or ever the King departed he made the
head be brought into the Isle of Avalon, to a chapel of Our Lady that
was there, where was a worshipful holy hermit that was well loved of
Our Lord. The King departed from Cardoil and took leave of the Queen
and all the knights. Lancelot and Messire Gawain go along with him and
a squire that carrieth their arms. Kay the Seneschal was departed from
the court for dread of the King and his knights. He durst not abide in
the Greater Britain, and so betook himself into the Lesser. Briant of
the Isles was of great power in those times, a knight of great strength
and hardiment, for all Great Britain had had many disputes between him
and King Arthur. His land was full strong of castles and forests and
right fruitful, and many good knights had he in his land. When he knew
that Kay the Seneschal had departed in such sort from the court, and
that he had crossed the sea, he sent for him and held him of his
household, and said that he would hold him harmless against the King
and against all men. When he knew that the King had departed he began
to war upon the land and to slay his men and to challenge h