wherewith she drove the two steeds. Each of these twain was fairer than the first, but the one afoot surpassed both the others in beauty. banded argent and azure with a red cross, and the boss was of gold all The first cometh before the King, there where he sitteth at meat with little golden bells, and in this hand held she the head of a King you, to wit, that you keep the shield for a knight that shall come Graal be achieved." "Sir," saith she, "The shield that this damsel beareth belonged to "Damsel," saith the King, "Gladly would I have it so." "Sir," saith she, "That know I well, and may it not mislike you to hear behind her with a brachet thereupon, and at her neck she bore a shield and good adventure and my Lady the Queen and all them of this hall for set with precious stones. The third damsel came afoot with her kirtle "It shall not mislike me," saith the King, "say your pleasure!" behind rode after the fashion of a squire, and carried a pack trussed pillow, the richest that ever might be seen, and it was all charged of tucked up like a running footman; and she had in her hand a whip "Sir," saith she, "The Saviour of the world grant you honour and joy the errand whereon I am come." where knights be may I not alight, nor ought I until such time as the sealed in silver and crowned with gold. The other damsel that came the rood. I make you a present thereof in such wise as I shall tell love of you! Hold it not churlishness and I alight not, for there right arm slung in a stole of cloth of gold. And her arm lay on a covered, for she was all bald without hair, and carried on her neck her Joseph, the good soldier knight that took down Our Lord of hanging on the Queen.