laurel tree he saw her lie upon a quilt of green samite and a
knight in her arms, fast halsing either other, and under their
heads grass and herbs. When Balin saw her lie so with the
foulest knight that ever he saw, and she a fair lady, then Balin
went through all the chambers again, and told the knight how he
found her as she had slept fast, and so brought him in the place
there she lay fast sleeping.



<73>
CHAPTER XVII

How that knight slew his love and a knight lying by her,
and after, how he slew himself with his own sword, and
how Balin rode toward a castle where he lost his life.

AND when Garnish beheld her so lying, for pure sorrow his mouth
and nose burst out a-bleeding, and with his sword he smote off
both their heads, and then he made sorrow out of measure, and
said, O Balin, much sorrow hast thou brought unto me, for hadst
thou not shewed me that sight I should have passed my sorrow.
Forsooth, said Balin, I did it to this intent that it should
better thy courage, and that ye might see and know her falsehood,
and to cause you to leave love of such a lady; God knoweth I did
none other but as I would ye did to me. Alas, said Garnish, now
is my sorrow double that I may not endure, now have I slain that
I most loved in all my life; and therewith suddenly he rove
himself on his own sword unto the hilts. When Balin saw that, he
dressed him thenceward, lest folk would say he had slain them;