fered and such weary
longing for the coming of the Good Knight?"

"Sir, this is the castle of the Black Hermit. Wherefore am I fain to
pray you that you meddle not herein for nought that they within may do
to me, for otherwise it may well be that your death is at hand, for
against them will you have no might nor power."

They come anigh the castle as it were a couple of bow-shots, and
behold, through the gateway come knights armed on black horses and
their arms all black and their shields and spears, and there were a
hundred and fifty and two, right parlous to behold. And they come a
great gallop toward the damsel, and toward the car, and take the
hundred and fifty-two heads, each one his own, and set them upon their
spears and so enter into the castle again with great joy. Messire
Gawain seeth the insolence that the knights have wrought, and right
great shame hath he of himself that he hath not moved withal.

"Messire Gawain," saith the damsel, "Now may you know how little would
your force have availed you herein."

"Damsel, an evil castle is this where folk are robbed on such wise."

"Sir, never may this mischief be amended, nor this outrage be done
away, nor the evil-doer therein be stricken down, nor they that cry and
lament within the prison there be set free until such time as the Good
Knight shall come for whom are they yearning as you have heard but now."

"Damsel, right glad may the knight be that by his valour and his
hardiment shall destroy so many evil folk!"

"Sir, therefore is he the Best Knight in the world, and he is yet young
enough of age, but right sorrowful am I at heart that I know not true
tidings of him; for better will have I to see him than any man on live."

"Damsel, so also have I," saith Messire Gawain, "For then by your leave
would I turn me again."

"Not so, sir, but and you shall come beyond the castle, then will I
teach you the way whereby you ought to go."

IV.

With that they go toward the castle all together. Just as they were
about to pass beyond the castle wall, behold you where a knight cometh
forth of a privy postern of the castle, and he was sitting upon a tall
horse, his spear in his fist, and at his neck had he a red shield
whereon was figured a golden eagle. "Sir knight," saith he to Messire
Gawain, "I pray you bide."

"What is your pleasure?"

"You must needs joust with me," saith he "and conquer this shield, or
otherwise I shall conquer you. And full pr