is cross that you see before
you, and we will go by that other way, to a certain hold. Haply we
shall find you at the castle or ever you depart thence."

Lancelot goeth his way and leaveth them.

"By my head," saith the damsel to the knight, "This that goeth there is
Lancelot. He knoweth me not, albeit I know him well, and I hear that
he is sore troubled of his sorrow and mis-ease. Natheless, please God,
I will have vengeance of him or ever he departeth from the castle
whither he goeth to harbour. He made marry perforce a knight that
loved me better than aught beside, and to a damsel that he loved not a
whit. And so much might he still better perceive when he saw that she
ate not at his table, but was seated along with the squires, and that
none did aught for her at the castle. But the knight will not abandon
her for his own honour, and for that I should be blamed thereof."

The evening draweth on and Lancelot goeth toward the castle, that was
right uneath to find and in an unfrequented part. He espieth it at the
head of the forest, and seeth that it is large and strong, with strong
barbicans embattelled, and at the entrance of the gateway were fifteen
heads of knights hanging. He found without a knight that came from the
forest, and asked him what castle it was, and he made answer that it
was called the Castle of the Griffon.

"And why are these heads hanging at this door?"

"Sir," saith he, "The daughter of the lord of the castle is the fairest
in the world and that is known in any kingdom, and needs must she be
offered to wife to all knights that harbour within. He that can draw a
sword that is fixed in a column in the midst of the hall, and fetch it
forth, he shall have her of right without forfeit."

III.

"All these have made assay whose heads you see hanging at the door, but
never might none of them remove the sword, and on this occasion were
they beheaded. Now is it said that none may draw it forth, unless he
that draweth be better knight than another, and needs must he be one of
them that have been at the Graal. But, and you be minded to believe me,
fair Sir," saith the knight, "You will go elsewhither, for ill lodging
is it in a place where one must needs set body and life in adventure of
death, and none ought to be blamed for escaping from his own harm.
Sir, the castle is right fell, for it hath underground, at the issue of
a cavern that is there, a lion and a griffon that have devoured more