was a woman of the world. But as soon
as I wist that this adventure was ordained me I clipped off my hair, and
made this girdle in the name of God. Ye be well found, said Sir Bors,
for certes ye have put us out of great pain, wherein we should have
entered ne had your tidings been.

Then went the gentlewoman and set it on the girdle of the sword. Now,
said the fellowship, what is the name of the sword, and what shall we
call it? Truly, said she, the name of the sword is the Sword with the
Strange Girdles; and the sheath, Mover of Blood; for no man that hath
blood in him ne shall never see the one part of the sheath which was
made of the Tree of Life. Then they said to Galahad: In the name of Jesu
Christ, and pray you that ye gird you with this sword which hath been
desired so much in the realm of Logris. Now let me begin, said Galahad,
to grip this sword for to give you courage; but wit ye well it longeth
no more to me than it doth to you. And then he gripped about it with his
fingers a great deal; and then she girt him about the middle with the
sword. Now reck I not though I die, for now I hold me one of the blessed
maidens of the world, which hath made the worthiest knight of the world.
Damosel, said Galahad, ye have done so much that I shall be your knight
all the days of my life.

Then they went from that ship, and went to the other. And anon the wind
drove them into the sea a great pace, but they had no victuals: but it
befell that they came on the morn to a castle that men call Carteloise,
that was in the marches of Scotland. And when they had passed the port,
the gentlewoman said: Lords, here be men arriven that, an they wist that
ye were of King Arthur's court, ye should be assailed anon. Damosel,
said Galahad, He that cast us out of the rock shall deliver us from
them.

CHAPTER VIII. How Galahad and his fellows came to a castle, and how
they were fought withal, and how they slew their adversaries, and other
matters.

SO it befell as they spoke thus there came a squire by them, and asked
what they were; and they said they were of King Arthur's house. Is that
sooth? said he. Now by my head, said he, ye be ill arrayed; and then
turned he again unto the cliff fortress. And within a while they heard
an horn blow. Then a gentlewoman came to them, and asked them of whence
they were; and they told her. Fair lords, said she, for God's love turn
again if ye may, for ye be come unto your death. Nay, they said,