Till ev'n the lonest hold were all as free

From cursed bloodshed, as thine altar

cloth

From that best blood it is a sin to spill."

"Comfort thyself," said Arthur, "I nor mine

Rest: so my knighthood keep the Vows they swore,

The wastest moorland of our realm shall be

Safe, damsel, as the centre of this hall. What is thy name? thy need?"

-

"My name?" she said "Lynette my name; noble; my need, a knight

To combat for my sister, Lyonors,
A lady of high lineage, of great lands,
And comely, yea, and comelier than
myself.

She lives in Castle Perilous: a river Runs in three loops about her livingplace;

And o'er it are three passings, and three knights

Defend the passings, brethren, and a fourth

And of that four the mightiest, holds her stay'd

In her own castle, and so besieges her To break her will, and make her wed with him:

And but delays his purport till thou send

To do the battle with him, thy chief

man

Sir Lancelot whom he trusts to overthrow,

Then wed, with glory: but she will not wed

Save whom she loveth, or a holy life. Now therefore have I come for Lancelot."

Then Arthur mindful of Sir Gareth ask'd, "Damsel, ye know this Order lives to crush

"They be of foolish fashion, O Sir King,

The fashion of that old knighterrantry

Who ride abroad and do but what they will;

Courteous or bestial from the moment, such

As have nor law nor king; and three of these

Proud in their fantasy call themselves the Day,

Morning-Star, and Noon-Sun, and Evening-Star,

Being strong fools; and never a whit more wise

The fourth who alway rideth arm'd in black,

A huge man-beast of boundless sav

King Arthur's gift, the worth of half a town,

A warhorse of the best, and near it stood

Be cool'd by fighting, follows, being named,

His owner, but remembers all, and growls