put him not far in press. But in his heart he was fully assured (if
his grace happened him) as any knight that was there. And, as that
damsel took her leave of King Arthur and the barons, this knight,
Balin, called unto her, and said, "Damsel, I pray you of your
courtesy, to suffer me as well to assay as these lords; though I be
poorly clothed, in mine heart meseemeth I am fully assured as some of
these other lords, and meseemeth in my heart to speed right well." The
damsel beheld the poor knight, and saw he was a likely man; but,
because of his poor array, she thought he should be of no worship
without villany or treachery. And then she said to the knight Balin,
"Sir, it is no need to put me to any more pain or labour; for
beseemeth not you to speed there as others have failed." "Ah, fair
damsel," said Balin, "worthiness and good graces and good deeds are
not all only in raiment, but manhood and worship is hid within man's
person; and many a worshipful knight is not known unto all people; and
therefore worship and hardiness is not in raiment and clothing."--"By
God!" said the damsel, "ye say truth; therefore ye shall assay to do
what ye may." Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and scabbard,
and drew it out easily; and when he looked upon the sword, it pleased
him well. * * * Anon after Balin sent for his horse and his armour,
and so would depart from the court, and took his leave of King Arthur.

The meanwhile that this knight was making him ready to depart, there
came into the court a lady, which hight the Lady of the Lake, and she
came on horseback, richly beseen, and saluted King Arthur, and there
asked him a gift that he had promised her when she gave him the sword.

"That is sooth," said King Arthur, "a gift I promised you; but I have
forgotten the name of the sword which ye gave me." "The name of it,"
said the lady, "is Excalibur; that is as much to say _cut-steel_."--