t not all come by the earlier day. The tidings went
through all lands, so that knights come in great plenty thereunto, for
well-doing had so waxed feeble in all the kingdoms, that every one had
avoided King Arthur as one that should do nought more for ever.
Wherefore all began now to marvel whence his new desire had come. The
knights of the Table Round that were scattered through the lands and
the forests, by God's will learnt the tidings and right great joy had
they thereof, and came back to the court with great ado. But neither
Messire Gawain nor Lancelot came thither on that day. But all the
other came that were then on live. S. John's day came, and the knights
were come from all parts, marvelling much that the King had not held
the court at Whitsuntide, but they knew not the occasion thereof. The
day was fair and clear and the air fresh, and the hall was wide and
high and garnished of good knights in great plenty. The cloths were
spread on the tables whereof were great plenty in the hall. The King
and the Queen had washen and went to sit at the head of one table and
the other knights sate them down, whereof were full five score and five
as the story telleth. Kay the Seneschal and Messire Ywain the son of
King Urien served that day at the tables at meat, and five-and-twenty
knights beside. And Lucan the Butler served the golden cup before the
King. The sun shone through the windows everywhere amidst the hall
that was strown of flowers and rushes and sweet herbs and gave out a
smell like as had it been sprinkled of balm. And straightway after the
first meat had been served, and while they were yet awaiting the
second, behold you three damsels where they enter into the hall! She
that came first sate upon a mule white as driven snow and had a golden
bridle and a saddle with a bow of ivory banded with precious stones and
a saddle-cloth of a red samite dropped of gold. The damsel that was
seated on the mule was right seemly of body but scarce so fair of face,
and she was robed in a rich cloth of silk and gold and had a right rich
hat that covered all her head. And it was all loaded of costly stones
that flamed like fire. And great need had she that her head were
covered, for she was all bald without hair, and carried on her neck her
right arm slung in a stole of cloth of gold. And her arm lay on a
pillow, the richest that ever might be seen, and it was all charged of
little golden bells, and in this hand hel