And in departing he
said not one single word to me. And indeed I do think, Messires, that I
was never so abashed in all my life before.

[Sidenote: _The Lady Vivien mocketh Sir Sagramore._]

"Then I remembered how that I had pledged myself to return to the Lady
Vivien, and at that I was more ashamed than ever. So, in obedience to
that promise, I had to make my way back whence I came on foot. When I
passed by where was that mound, the gigantic creature who sat thereon
made great mock of me. And when I reached the castle, the Lady Vivien
looked at me out of a window and laughed at me beyond measure. And when
I requested admission to the castle, she denied me entrance thereunto,
and when I besought her for to lend me a horse to ride upon my way, she
gave me instead a white mule for to bear me thence. So I returned
hitherward upon a white mule without any shield, and thus I have
confessed everything to you to the last word."

Such was the story of Sir Sagramore, and thereunto all those who were
there listened with great attention and with much amazement. Then Sir
Ewaine spake, saying: "That was a very great shame that was put upon
you, Messire; and I take it so greatly to heart that had I suffered it
in my own person methinks I could not feel much greater shame than I do.
For that which hath befallen you is, as it were, a despite put upon all
of us who are knights of the Round Table. Wherefore, being a fellow of
that company, your despite is my despite also. As for that mischievous
Lady Vivien, methinks that she is at the bottom of all this coil, and I
am much misled if this hath not all been devised by her to bring shame
upon you who are a knight of King Arthur's court and of the Round
Table."

Quoth Sir Percival, "That may very well be so, Messire."

Then Sir Ewaine said: "Well, Messires, as for me, I am of no mind to sit
down quietly under this affront."

"Sir," said Sir Sagramore, "what would you do?"

"I would do this," said Sir Ewaine. "I would go upon that same quest in
which you have failed, and if I succeed therein, then will the shame of
your mischance be wiped away from us all."

Thus spake Sir Ewaine with great feeling; for you are to know that those
noble knights of the Round Table were so closely knit into brotherly
fellowship that whatsoever ill thing befell to the injury of one was in
that same measure an injury to all, and that whatsoever quarrel was
taken up by one of that company, was a quarrel