{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/mart/mart356.htm","path":"neu/mart/mart356.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart356.htm","text":"CHAPTER III\nHow Sir Gawaine assayed to draw out the sword, and how\nan old man brought in Galahad.\nNOW, fair nephew, said the king unto Sir Gawaine, assay\nye, for my love. Sir, he said, save your good grace I\nshall not do that. Sir, said the king, assay to take the\nsword and at my commandment. Sir, said Gawaine, your\ncommandment I will obey. And therewith he took up\nthe sword by the handles, but he might not stir it. I\nthank you, said the king to Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir\nGawaine, said Sir Launcelot, now wit ye well this sword\nshall touch you so sore that ye shall will ye had never set\nyour hand thereto for the best castle of this realm. Sir, he\nsaid, I might not withsay mine uncle's will and commandment.\nBut when the king heard this he repented it much,\nand said unto Sir Percivale that he should assay, for his\nlove. And he said: Gladly, for to bear Sir Gawaine\nfellowship. And therewith he set his hand on the sword\nand drew it strongly, but he might not move it. Then\nwere there no[1] mo that durst be so hardy to set their hands\nthereto. Now may ye go to your dinner, said Sir Kay\nunto the king, for a marvellous adventure have ye seen.\nSo the king and all went unto the court, and every knight\nknew his own place, and set him therein, and young men\nthat were knights served them.\nSo when they were served, and all sieges fulfilled save\nonly the Siege Perilous, anon there befell a marvellous\nadventure, that all the doors and windows of the palace\nshut by themself. Not for then the hall was not greatly\ndarked; and therewith they were[1] all[1] abashed both one and\nother. Then King Arthur spake first and said: By God,\nfair fellows and lords, we have seen this day marvels, but\nor night I suppose we shall see greater marvels.\nIn the meanwhile came in a good old man, and an\nancient, clothed all in white, and there was no knight knew\nfrom whence he came. And with him he brought a young\nknight, both on foot, in red arms, without sword or shield,\nsave a scabbard hanging by his side. And these words he\nsaid: Peace be with you, fair lords. Then the old man\nsaid unto Arthur: Sir, I bring here a young knight, the\nwhich is of king's lineage, and of the kindred of Joseph of\nAramathie, whereby the marvels of this court, and of\nstrange realms, shall be fully accomplished.\n[1] Omitted by Caxton, supplied from W. de Worde.","title":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XIII CHAPTER III","type":"page"}