sat upon the great carved chair which had dragons' heads for the
arms and the back. On his red robe was embroidered a golden
dragon, and a golden dragon was also on his crown. Above him, set
in a canopy, was the ninth diamond. All about the king to left
and right were rows of ladies whose robes gave to the pavilion in
which they sat the brilliant hues of the rainbow.

Sir Lancelot said to young Sir Lavaine:

"Look at the king. You think I am great, but he is greater than
I. I can fight better than he can, but his soul is greater than
mine. Aim to become a Knight of the Round Table, and follow the
example of goodness which Arthur sets for his knights."

At this moment the trumpets blew as a signal that the tournament
was to begin. The knights spurred their horses forward, and in a
moment their spears and shields clashed. Sir Lancelot rode
lightly here and there, overthrowing everyone with whom he
contested. All wondered at the skill of this unknown knight. Then
Sir Lancelot's kinsmen, his nephew, Sir Lionel, and others, were
angry and jealous.

"Our Sir Lancelot should be here," they said, "to overcome this
stranger knight."

"Perhaps this is Sir Lancelot," said one. "Two knights cannot
fight so well in this world. It must be Sir Lancelot."

"No, no," said the others; "Sir Lancelot would never wear a
lady's favor, and this knight wears a red sleeve embroidered with
pearls. Let us set on this man and teach him that if Sir Lancelot
is not here, we, his kinsmen, will fight for his fame."

Then all together they bore down on Sir Lancelot. His horse went
down in the shock, and he himself was wounded. A spear had
pierced his breastplate and snapped off in his side.

Young Sir Lavaine rushed to help Sir Lancelot. The great knight
rose slowly and, with the help of his friend, drove back his kith
and kin to the far side of the field. Then sounded a great blare
of trumpets, and the king proclaimed the stranger knight victor.

"Come forward," the herald cried, "and take your diamond."

But poor Sir Lancelot said:

"Talk not to me of diamonds. Give me air. I fear me I have
received my death wound. Let me go hence, and I bid you follow me
not."

Sir Lavaine helped him upon his horse, and they two rode slowly
off the field. When they were near the neighboring forest the
great knight fell from his horse and cried:

"Pull forth the spear-head which is in my side."

"Oh, my lord," said Sir Lavaine, "I am afraid you wi