d she the head of a King
sealed in silver and crowned with gold. The other damsel that came
behind rode after the fashion of a squire, and carried a pack trussed
behind her with a brachet thereupon, and at her neck she bore a shield
banded argent and azure with a red cross, and the boss was of gold all
set with precious stones. The third damsel came afoot with her kirtle
tucked up like a running footman; and she had in her hand a whip
wherewith she drove the two steeds. Each of these twain was fairer
than the first, but the one afoot surpassed both the others in beauty.
The first cometh before the King, there where he sitteth at meat with
the Queen.

"Sir," saith she, "The Saviour of the world grant you honour and joy
and good adventure and my Lady the Queen and all them of this hall for
love of you! Hold it not churlishness and I alight not, for there
where knights be may I not alight, nor ought I until such time as the
Graal be achieved."

"Damsel," saith the King, "Gladly would I have it so."

"Sir," saith she, "That know I well, and may it not mislike you to hear
the errand whereon I am come."

"It shall not mislike me," saith the King, "say your pleasure!"

"Sir," saith she, "The shield that this damsel beareth belonged to
Joseph, the good soldier knight that took down Our Lord of hanging on
the rood. I make you a present thereof in such wise as I shall tell
you, to wit, that you keep the shield for a knight that shall come
hither for the same, and you shall make hang it on this column in the
midst of your hall, and guard it in such wise as that none may take it
and hang at his neck save he only. And of this shield shall he achieve
the Graal, and another shield shall he leave here in the hall, red,
with a white hart; and the brachet that the damsel carrieth shall here
remain, and little joy will the brachet make until the knight shall
come."

"Damsel," saith the King, "The shield and the brachet will we keep full
safely, and right heartily we thank you that you have deigned to bring
them hither."

"Sir," saith the damsel, "I have not yet told you all that I have in
charge to deliver. The best King that liveth on earth and the most
loyal and the most righteous, sendeth you greeting; of whom is sore
sorrow for that he hath fallen into a grievous languishment."

"Damsel," saith the King, "Sore pity is it and it be so as you say; and
I pray you tell me who is the King?"

"Sir," saith she, "It is rich