Sir, send without to see the
costliness and fashion of the car."

The King sent Kay the Seneschal to see. He looked straitly thereat
within and without and thereafter returned to the King. "Sir," saith
he, "Never beheld I car so rich, and there be three harts withal that
draw the car, the tallest and fattest one might ever see. But and you
will be guided by me, you will take the foremost, for he is scarce so
far, and so might you bid make right good collops thereof."

"Avoid there, Kay!" saith the King. "Foul churlishness have you
spoken! I would not such a deed were done for another such kingdom as
is this of Logres!"

"Sir," saith the damsel, "He that hath been wont to do churlishness
doth right grudgingly withdraw himself therefrom. Messire Kay may say
whatsoever him pleaseth, but well know I that you will pay no heed to
his talk. Sir," saith the damsel, "Command that the shield be hung on
this column and that the brachet be put in the Queen's chamber with the
maidens. We will go on our way, for here have we been long enough."

Messire Ywain laid hold on the shield and took it off the damsel's neck
by leave of the King, and hung it on the column in the midst of the
hall, and one of the Queen's maidens taketh the brachet and carrieth
him to the Queen's chamber. And the damsel taketh her leave and
turneth again, and the King commendeth her to God. When the King eaten
in hall, the Queen with the King and the knights go to lean at the
windows to look at the three damsels and the three white harts that
draw the car, and the more part said that the damsel afoot that went
after the two that were mounted should have the most misease. The bald
damsel went before, and set not her hat on her head until such time as
behoved her enter into the forest; and the knights that were at the
windows might see them no longer. Then set she her hat again upon her
head. The King, the Queen, and the knights when they might see them no
more, came down from the windows, and certain of them said that never
until this time had they seen bald-headed damsel save this one only.

II.

Hereupon the story is silent of King Arthur, and turneth again to speak
of the three damsels and the car that was drawn by the three white
harts. They are entered into the forest and ride on right busily.
When they had left the castle some seven leagues Welsh behind them,
they saw a knight coming toward them on the way they had to go. The
knight