VII. How the queen desired to see Galahad; and how after, all
the knights were replenished with the Holy Sangreal, and how they avowed
the enquest of the same.

THEN the king, at the queen's request, made him to alight and to unlace
his helm, that the queen might see him in the visage. When she beheld
him she said: Soothly I dare well say that Sir Launcelot begat him, for
never two men resembled more in likeness, therefore it nis no marvel
though he be of great prowess. So a lady that stood by the queen said:
Madam, for God's sake ought he of right to be so good a knight? Yea,
forsooth, said the queen, for he is of all parties come of the best
knights of the world and of the highest lineage; for Sir Launcelot is
come but of the eighth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, and Sir Galahad
is of the ninth degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, therefore I dare say
they be the greatest gentlemen of the world.

And then the king and all estates went home unto Camelot, and so went
to evensong to the great minster, and so after upon that to supper, and
every knight sat in his own place as they were toforehand. Then anon
they heard cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought the place
should all to-drive. In the midst of this blast entered a sunbeam
more clearer by seven times than ever they saw day, and all they were
alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began every knight to
behold other, and either saw other, by their seeming, fairer than ever
they saw afore. Not for then there was no knight might speak one word
a great while, and so they looked every man on other as they had been
dumb. Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail covered with white
samite, but there was none might see it, nor who bare it. And there was
all the hall fulfilled with good odours, and every knight had such meats
and drinks as he best loved in this world. And when the Holy Grail had
been borne through the hall, then the holy vessel departed suddenly,
that they wist not where it became: then had they all breath to speak.
And then the king yielded thankings to God, of His good grace that he
had sent them. Certes, said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu
greatly for that he hath shewed us this day, at the reverence of this
high feast of Pentecost.

Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have been served this day of what meats and
drinks we thought on; but one thing beguiled us, we might not see the
Holy Grail, it was so preciously covered. Whe