CHAPTER I
Of a damosel which came girt with a sword for to find a man of such virtue to draw it out of the scabbard.
AFTER the death of Uther Pendragon reigned Arthur his son,the which had great war in his days for to get all England into his hand.For there were many kings within the realm of England,and in Wales,Scotland,and Cornwall.So it befell on a time when King Arthur was at London,there came a knight and told the king tidings how that the King Rience of North Wales had reared a great number of people,and were entered into the land,and burnt and slew the king's true liege people.If this be true,said Arthur,it were great shame unto mine estate but that he were mightily withstood.It is truth,said the knight,for I saw the host myself.Well,said the king,let make a cry,that all the lords,knights,and gentlemen of arms,should draw unto a castle called Camelot in those days,and there the king would let make a council-general and a great jousts.
So when the king was come thither with all his baronage,and lodged as they seemed best,there was come a damosel the which was sent on message from the great lady Lile of Avelion.And when she came before King Arthur,she told from whom she came,and how she was sent on message unto him for these causes.Then she let her mantle fall that was richly furred;and then was she girt with a noble sword whereof the king had marvel,and said,Damosel,for what cause are ye girt with that sword?it beseemeth you not.Now shall I tell you,said the damosel;this sword that I am girt withal doth me great sorrow and cumbrance,for I may not be delivered of this sword but by a knight,but he must be a passing good man of his hands and of his deeds,and without villainy or treachery,and without treason.And if I may find such a knight that hath all these virtues,he may draw out this sword out of the sheath,for I have been at King Rience's it was told me there were passing good knights,and he and all his knights have assayed it and none can speed.This is a great marvel,said Arthur,if this be sooth;I will myself assay to draw out the sword,not presuming upon myself that I am the best knight,but that I will begin to draw at your sword in giving example to all the barons that they shall assay everych one after other when I have assayed it.Then Arthur took the sword by the sheath and by the girdle and pulled at it eagerly,but the sword would not out.
Sir,said the damosel,you need not to pull half so hard,for he that shall pull it out shall do it with little might.Ye say well,said Arthur;now assay ye all my barons;but beware ye be not defiled with shame,treachery,nor guile.Then it will not avail,said the damosel,for he must be a clean knight without villainy,and of a gentle strain of father side and mother side.
Most of all the barons of the Round Table that were there at that time assayed all by row,but there might none speed;wherefore the damosel made great sorrow out of measure,and said,Alas!Iweened in this court had been the best knights without treachery or treason.By my faith,said Arthur,here are good knights,as I deem,as any be in the world,but their grace is not to help you,wherefore I am displeased.
CHAPTER II
How Balin,arrayed like a poor knight,pulled out the sword,which afterward was the cause of his death.
THEN fell it so that time there was a poor knight with King Arthur,that had been prisoner with him half a year and more for slaying of a knight,the which was cousin unto King Arthur.The name of this knight was called Balin,and by good means of the barons he was delivered out of prison,for he was a good man named of his body,and he was born in Northumberland.And so he went privily into the court,and saw this adventure,whereof it raised his heart,and he would assay it as other knights did,but for he was poor and poorly arrayed he put him not far in press.
But in his heart he was fully assured to do as well,if his grace happed him,as any knight that there was.And as the damosel took her leave of Arthur and of all the barons,so departing,this knight Balin called unto her,and said,Damosel,I pray you of your courtesy,suffer me as well to assay as these lords;though that I be so poorly clothed,in my heart meseemeth I am fully assured as some of these others,and meseemeth in my heart to speed right well.The damosel beheld the poor knight,and saw he was a likely man,but for his poor arrayment she thought he should be of no worship without villainy or treachery.And then she said unto the knight,Sir,it needeth not to put me to more pain or labour,for it seemeth not you to speed there as other have failed.Ah!fair damosel,said Balin,worthiness,and good tatches,and good deeds,are not only in arrayment,but manhood and worship is hid within man's person,and many a worshipful knight is not known unto all people,and therefore worship and hardiness is not in arrayment.By God,said the damosel,ye say sooth;therefore ye shall assay to do what ye may.Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath,and drew it out easily;and when he looked on the sword it pleased him much.
Then had the king and all the barons great marvel that Balin had done that adventure,and many knights had great despite of Balin.