be governed by your
counsel."

"Then," answered Merlin, "call Sir Gawaine, for he must bring again the
white hart. Also call Sir Tor, for to him must be assigned the adventure
of the knight and the brachet. As for the lady and the knight, King
Pellinore must bring them, or slay the knight if he will not come."

Thereupon they were all three called, and they armed and rode forth on
the errands assigned them. Many and strange were the adventures of these
valiant knights, but we have matter of more moment to tell, and so
cannot relate their valorous deeds. We can but say that Gawaine brought
back the head of the hart, and little honor with it, for by an evil
accident he killed a lady, and barely escaped with life from her
champions.

Sir Tor had better fortune, for he brought the brachet alive, and won
much honor from his deeds.

King Pellinore was also successful in his quest, for he brought back the
lady in safety, after having fought with and slain her kidnapper. This
lady's name was Nimue, and of her we shall have many strange things to
tell hereafter.

Thus ended the three quests which followed the marriage of King Arthur
and Guenever the fair. Afterwards the king established his knights,
giving lands to those who were poor, and enjoining all against outrage,
and in favor of mercy and gentleness. He also bade them to succor all
ladies in distress, and never to engage in a wrongful quarrel, or to
strive for worldly goods.

Unto this were sworn all the Knights of the Round Table, old and young.
And it was ordained that they should renew their oaths every year at the
high feast of Pentecost, that their obligations might never be
forgotten, and the honor and renown of the glorious fellowship of the
Round Table never decline.

In this manner began, that illustrious career of the Knights of the
Round Table, which was destined to shed the greatest glory on Arthur's
reign, and to fill the whole world with its fame. Valorous as were the
knights who first composed that noble order of chivalry, it was
afterwards to include such world-renowned warriors as Lancelot du Lake,
Tristram de Lyonesse, and others of little less prowess, the story of
whose noble exploits and thrilling adventures was destined to be told by
bards and sung by minstrels till all time should ring with the tale, and
men of honor in far future days be stirred to emulation of these worthy
knights of old.

BOOK II.