again into the
castle, and when he was come thereinto, arose a noise and great outcry
so loud that all the forest and all the valley began to resound
thereof. "Messire Gawain," saith the Damsel of the Car, "the knight is
shamed and there cast in prison another time. Now haste, Messire
Gawain! for now may you go!"

With that they all set forward again upon their way together, and leave
the castle an English league behind. "Damsel," saith Messire Gawain,
"When it shall please you, I shall have your leave to go."

"Sir," saith she, "God be guard of your body, and right great thanks of
your convoy."

"Lady," saith he, "My service is always ready at your command."

"Sir," saith the damsel, "Gramercy, and your own way see you there by
yonder great cross at the entrance of yonder forest. And beyond that,
will you find the fairest forest and most delightsome when you shall
have passed through this that sore is wearisome."

Messire Gawain turneth him to go, and the damsel afoot crieth out to
him: "Sir, not so heedful are you as I supposed."

Messire Gawain turneth his horse's head as he that was startled:
"Wherefore say you so, damsel?" saith he.

"For this," saith she, "That you have never asked of my Damsel
wherefore she carrieth her arm slung at her neck in this golden stole,
nor what may be the rich pillow whereon the arm lieth. And no greater
heed will you take at the court of the rich King Fisherman."

"Sweet, my friend," saith the Damsel of the Car, "blame not Messire
Gawain only, but King Arthur before him and all the knights that were
in the court. For not one of them all that were there was so heedful
as to ask me. Go your ways, Messire Gawain, for in vain would you now
demand it, for I will tell you not, nor shall you never know it save
only by the most coward knight in the world, that is mine own knight
and goeth to seek me and knoweth not where to find me."

"Damsel," saith Messire Gawain, "I durst not press you further."

With that the Damsel departeth, and Messire Gawain setteth him forward
again on the way that she had taught him.

BRANCH III.

INCIPIT.

Here beginneth another branch of the Graal in the name of the Father,
and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Ghost.

TITLE I

Here is the story silent of the three damsels and the Car and saith
that Messire Gawain hath passed throughout the evil forest and is
entered into the forest passing fair, the broad, the hig