"You were ever a croaker, good Merlin," replied Sir Launcelot. "See
not the thing so dolefully, I pray you."

"And think of the worth of what we accomplish," added Sir Galahad.
"Here now comes the Gascon with his answer, I see. Let us listen to
what he says."

"We bid you welcome to Gascony and pray you to come within. My master
sends his greetings and awaits you."

They followed then their guide and so came within the great hall of
state where Sir Dolphus awaited them.

"Come you from England?" he asked.

"That we do," replied Merlin, "and carry a message for the Duke."

"There is no Duke of Gascony. He is dead. But I, by the will of all
the nobles of the land, rule in place. If you have message from
England's king honor is mine to receive it."

"That message will I deliver right gladly. My king has long desired to
come to Gascony and to other countries in France. So has he sent me
forth to find first, how welcome will his visit be, second, as you may
well understand, that such country as may come within his plans may
worthy be his presence. For England's king must hold his honor and
his presence at their royal worth.

"So come I to this brave land the which my king has heard well spoken