draw it forth should do that which I shall require of
him, and that he might do it, nor will I pray nor require of him nought
that is not reason. Needs must he go to the Chapel Perilous the
swiftest he may, and there will he find a knight that lieth shrouded in
the midst of the chapel. He will take of the cloth wherein he is
shrouded and a sword that lieth at his side in the coffin, and will
take them to the Castle Perilous; and when he shall there have been, he
shall return to the castle where he slew the lion in the cavern wherein
are the two griffons, and the head of one of them shall he take and
bring to me at Castle Perilous, for a knight there lieth sick that may
not otherwise be healed."

VIII.

"Damsel." saith Lancelot, "I see that you reckon but little of my life,
so only that your wish be accomplished."

"Sir," saith she, "I know as well as you what the enterprise is, nor do
I no whit desire your death, for, and were you dead, never would the
knight be whole for whose sake you undertake it. And you will see the
fairest damsel that is in any kingdom, and the one that most desireth
to see you. And, so you tarry not, through her shall you lightly get
done that you have to do. See now that you delay it not, but do that
is needful swiftly sith that it hath been laid upon you, for the longer
you tarry, the greater will be the hazard of mischance befalling you."

The damsel departeth from the court and taketh her leave and goeth her
way back as fast as she may, and saith to herself: "Lancelot, albeit
you have these pains and this travail for me, yet would I not your
death herein, but of right ought I to rejoice in your tribulation, for
into two of the most perilous places in the world are you going.
Greatly ought I to hate you, for you reft me of my friend and gave him
to another, and while I live may I never forget it."

The damsel goeth her way, and Lancelot departeth from the court and
taketh leave of the King and of all the others. He issueth forth of
Cardoil, all armed, and entereth into the forest that is deep, and so
goeth forth a great pace, and prayeth God guide him into safety.

BRANCH XXIX.

TITLE I.

Therewithal the story is silent of Lancelot, and saith that Briant of
the Isles is repaired to Cardoil. Of the forty knights that he took
with him, but fifteen doth he bring back again. Thereof is King Arthur
right sorrowful, and saith that he hath the fewer friends. They of the
land