and the treatment of it are given
and furnished to him by the Countess, and he is simply trying to carry
out her concern and intention. Here he begins the story.

(Vv. 31-172.) Upon a certain Ascension Day King Arthur had come from
Caerleon, and had held a very magnificent court at Camelot as was
fitting on such a day. [42] After the feast the King did not quit his
noble companions, of whom there were many in the hall. The Queen was
present, too, and with her many a courteous lady able to converse in
French. And Kay, who had furnished the meal, was eating with the others
who had served the food. While Kay was sitting there at meat, behold
there came to court a knight, well equipped and fully armed, and thus
the knight appeared before the King as he sat among his lords. He gave
him no greeting, but spoke out thus: "King Arthur, I hold in captivity
knights, ladies, and damsels who belong to thy dominion and household;
but it is not because of any intention to restore them to thee that I
make reference to them here; rather do I wish to proclaim and serve thee
notice that thou hast not the strength or the resources to enable thee
to secure them again. And be assured that thou shalt die before thou
canst ever succour them." The King replies that he must needs endure
what he has not the power to change; nevertheless, he is filled with
grief. Then the knight makes as if to go away, and turns about, without
tarrying longer before the King; but after reaching the door of the
hall, he does not go down the stairs, but stops and speaks from there
these words: "King, if in thy court there is a single knight in whom
thou hast such confidence that thou wouldst dare to entrust to him the
Queen that he might escort her after me out into the woods whither I am
going, I will promise to await him there, and will surrender to thee all
the prisoners whom I hold in exile in my country if he is able to defend
the Queen and if he succeeds in bringing her back again." Many who
were in the palace heard this challenge, and the whole court was in
an uproar. Kay, too, heard the news as he sat at meat with those who
served. Leaving the table, he came straight to the King, and as if
greatly enraged, he began to say: "O King, I have served thee long,
faithfully, and loyally; now I take my leave, and shall go away, having
no desire to serve thee more." The King was grieved at what he heard,
and as soon as he could, he thus replied to him: "Is this seriou