to them in many journeys sith that they departed from the court.  Anon, as Galahad saw the gentlewoman dead in the bed, he knew her well enough, and told great worship of her, that she was the best maid living, and it was great pity of her death.  But when Launcelot heard how the marvellous sword was gotten, and who made it, and all the marvels rehearsed afore, then he prayed Galahad, his son, that he would show him the sword, and so he did; and anon he kissed the pommel, and the hilt, and the scabbard.  Truly, said Launcelot, never erst knew I of so high adventures done, and so marvellous and strange.  So dwelt Launcelot and Galahad within that ship half a year, and served God daily and nightly with all their power; and often they arrived in isles far from folk, where there repaired none but wild beasts, and there they found many strange adventures and perillous, which they brought to an end; but for those adventures were with wild beasts, and not in the quest of the Sangreal, therefore the tale maketh here no mention thereof, for it would be too long to tell of all those adventures that befell them.

CHAPTER XIV

How A knight brought unto sir Galahad A horse, and bad him come from his father, sir launcelot

So after, on a Monday, it befell that they arrived in the edge of a forest tofore a cross; and then saw they a knight armed all in white, and was richly horsed, and led in his right hand a white horse; and so he came to the ship, and saluted the two knights on the High Lord’s behalf, and said:  Galahad, sir, ye have been long enough with your father, come out of the ship, and start upon this horse, and go where the adventures shall lead thee in the quest of the Sangreal.  Then he went to his father and kissed him sweetly, and said:  Fair sweet father, I wot not when I shall see you more till I see the body of Jesu Christ.  I pray you, said Launcelot, pray ye to the High Father that He hold me in His service.  And so he took his horse, and there they heard a voice that said:  Think for to do well, for the one shall never see the other before the dreadful day of doom.  Now, son Galahad, said Launcelot, syne we shall depart, and never see other, I pray to the High Father to conserve me and you both.  Sir, said Galahad, no prayer availeth so much as yours.  And therewith Galahad entered into the forest.  And the wind arose, and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout the sea, where he slept but little, but prayed to God that he might see some tidings of the Sangreal.  So it befell on a night, at midnight, he arrived afore a castle, on the back side, which was rich and fair, and there was a postern opened toward the sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions kept the entry; and the moon shone clear.  Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice that said: