stle, and is fain that he hold it of
him, for in no place might he have better employment, and that well
hath he deserved it of his service in such need. Meliot thanketh him
much, and prayeth Messire Gawain instantly that and he shall have need
of succour he will come to aid him, in like manner as he would do by
him everywhere. And Messire Gawain telleth him that as of this needeth
him not to make prayer, for that he is one of the knights of the world
that most he ought of right to love. The King and Messire Gawain take
leave of Meliot, and so depart, and Meliot garnisheth the castle that
was right fair and rich and well-seated.

BRANCH XXVI.

TITLE I.

Of Meliot the story is here silent, and saith that King Arthur and
Messire Gawain have ridden so far that they are come into the Isle of
Avalon, there where the Queen lieth. They lodge the night with the
hermits, that made them right great cheer. But you may well say that
the King is no whit joyful when he seeth the coffin where the Queen
lieth and that wherein the head of his son lieth. Thereof is his dole
renewed, and he saith that this holy place of this holy chapel ought he
of right to love better than all other places on earth. They depart on
the morrow when they have heard mass. The King goeth the quickest he
may toward Cardoil, and findeth the land wasted and desolate in many
places, whereof is he right sorrowful, and understandeth that Kay the
Seneschal warreth upon him with the others. He marvelleth much how he
durst do it. He is come to Cardoil. When they of the castle know it
they come to meet him with right great cheer. The tidings went
throughout all the land, and they of the country were right joyous
thereof, for the more part believed that he was dead. They of the
castle of the Hard Rock knew it, but little rejoiced they thereat. But
Kay the Seneschal was whole of his wound and bethought him that great
folly would he do to remain longer there to war upon the King, for well
knew he that and the King held him and did that which he had
proclaimed, his end were come. He departeth from the castle, where he
had sojourned of a long while, and crossed again stealthily over-sea,
and came into Little Britain, and made fast a castle for fear of the
King, that is called Chinon, and was there long time, without the King
warring upon him, for enough adventures had he in other parts.

II.

To Cardoil was the King repaired and Messire Gawain. Y