en freed from prison for
slaying a knight of Arthur's court. None was more wroth than he at
the villainy of Ryons, and immediately after the departure of the
herald, he left the hall and armed him; for he was minded to try
if, with good fortune, he might win to Arthur's grace by avenging
him on the King of North Wales. While he was without, there entered
the hall a Witch Lady who, on a certain occasion, had done the King
a service, and for this she now desired of him a boon. So Arthur
bade her name her request, and thus she said: "O King, I require of
you the head of the knight Balin le Savage." "That may I not grant
you with my honour," replied the King; "ask what it may become me
to give." But the Witch Lady would have naught else, and departed
from the hall, murmuring against the King. Then, as it chanced,
Balin met her at the door, and immediately when he saw her, he rode
upon her, sword in hand, and, with one blow, smote off her head.
Thus he took vengeance for his mother's death, of which she had
been the cause, and, well content, rode away. But when it was told
King Arthur of the deed that Balin had done, he was full wroth,
nor was his anger lessened though Merlin declared the wrong the
Witch Lady had done to Balin. "Whatsoever cause he had against her,
yet should he have done her no violence in my court," said the
King, and bade Sir Lanceour of Ireland ride after Balin and bring
him back again.

Thus it came to pass that, as Sir Balin rode on his way, he heard
the hoof-beats of a horse fast galloping, and a voice cried loudly
to him: "Stay, Knight; for thou shalt stay, whether thou wilt or
not." "Fair Knight," answered Balin fiercely, "dost thou desire to
fight with me?" "Yea, truly," answered Lanceour; "for that cause
have I followed thee from Camelot." "Alas!" cried Balin, "then I
know thy quarrel. And yet, I dealt but justly by that vile woman,
and it grieves me to offend my lord King Arthur again." "Have done,
and make ready to fight," said Lanceour insolently; for he was
proud and arrogant, though a brave knight. So they rushed together,
and, at the first encounter, Sir Lanceour's spear was shivered
against the shield of the other, but Balin's spear pierced shield
and hauberk and Lanceour fell dead to the earth.

Then Sir Balin, sore grieved that he had caused the death of a
knight of Arthur's court, buried Lanceour as well as he might, and
continued sorrowfully on his journey in search of King Ryons.
P