for ye will not believe that sword shall be your destruction, and
that is great pity. With that the damosel departed, making great
sorrow.

Anon after, Balin sent for his horse and armour, and so would
depart from the court, and took his leave of King Arthur. Nay,
said the king, I suppose ye will not depart so lightly from this
fellowship, I suppose ye are displeased that I have shewed you
unkindness; blame me the less, for I was misinformed against you,
but I weened ye had not been such a knight as ye are, of worship
and prowess, and if ye will abide in this court among my
fellowship, I shall so advance you as ye shall be pleased. God
thank your highness, said Balin, your bounty and highness may no
man praise half to the value; but at this time I must needs
depart, beseeching you alway of your good grace. Truly, said the
king, I am right wroth for your departing; I pray you, fair
knight, that ye tarry not long, and ye shall be right welcome to
me, and to my barons, and I shall amend all miss that I have done
against you; God thank your great lordship, said Balin, and
therewith made him ready to depart. Then the most <53>part of
the knights of the Round Table said that Balin did not this
adventure all only by might, but by witchcraft.



CHAPTER III

How the Lady of the Lake demanded the knight's head that
had won the sword, or the maiden's head.