dolorous stroke, lay upon Pellam and Balin three days.



CHAPTER XVI

How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a knight
that would have slain himself for love.

THEN Merlin came thither and took up Balin, and gat him a good
horse, for his was dead, and bade him ride out of that country.
I would have my damosel, said Balin. Lo, said Merlin, where she
lieth dead. And King Pellam lay so, many years sore wounded, and
might never be whole till Galahad the haut prince healed him in
the quest of the Sangreal, for in that place was part of the
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, that Joseph of Arimathea brought
into this land, and there himself lay in that rich bed. And that
was the same spear that Longius smote our Lord to the heart; and
King Pellam was nigh of Joseph's kin, and that was the most
worshipful man that lived in those days, and great pity it was of
his hurt, for through that stroke, turned to great dole, tray and
tene. Then departed Balin from Merlin, and said, In this world
we meet never no more. So he rode forth through the fair
countries and cities, and found the people dead, slain on every
side. And all that were alive cried, O Balin, thou hast caused
great damage in these countries; for the dolorous stroke thou
gavest unto King Pellam three countries are destroyed, and doubt
not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the last. When Balin
was past those countries he was passing fain.