e mule like to a
strolling demoiselle?"

"Messire," said Sir Sagramore, "I will tell you the whole story, for I
would have you know that it was through no disgrace but by mishap of
battle that I am come to this pass."

Quoth Sir Ewaine, "I may well believe that."

Then the lord of the castle said: "Messires, ere you talk of these
things I pray you to come to table and eat and drink and refresh
yourselves. After that we may listen with a better spirit to what this
knight has to tell us."

[Sidenote: _They all sit at feast together._]

So that which the lord of the castle said seemed very good to those
knights, wherefore they straightway went in to table in the hall and sat
down thereat. And the table was spread with all manner of meats, and
there was wine of divers sorts, both red and white, and they ate and
drank with much appetite and great good-will. Then when they were
satisfied as to their hunger, Sir Ewaine said to Sir Sagramore: "Now,
Messire, I pray you to tell us concerning that adventure which hath
befallen you."

Sir Sagramore said, "I will do so." Then he said:

[Sidenote: _Sir Sagramore telleth of his adventures._]

[Sidenote: _How Sir Sagramore came to a wonderful valley of
enchantment._]

"You must know that when I travelled forth errant in search of Sir
Launcelot, as several of my fellows did, I went forward upon my way,
making diligent inquiries concerning him, but still could get no news of
him. So I travelled onward in that wise, ever making inquiries as
aforesaid, until two days ago, what time in the evening I came to a
certain place a considerable distance to the east of this. There I found
myself in a valley that I verily believe must be the fairest valley in
the world. For in that valley I beheld a very pleasant expanse of
meadow-lands all abloom with flowers, and I beheld many glades of trees
of an even size, some abloom with blossoms and some full of fruit. And
there was a river of very clear water that flowed down through the
centre of the valley, and everywhere there were birds of curious
plumage that sang very bewitchingly, so from these things I wist that
this valley was very likely a place of enchantment. In the midst of that
valley I beheld a very noble castle that was of as wonderful an
appearance as the valley itself, so I rode forward into the valley and
approached the castle.

"As I drew near thereunto I beheld two youths clad in flame-colored
satin who shot at a mark with