History of King Arthur and the Quest of the Holy Grail from the Morte d'Arthur

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This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1886. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE BOOK OF SIR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE. I. jjOW leave we of Sir Tristram de Lyons, and speali we of Sir Launcelot du Lake, and Sir Galahad, Sir Launcelot's son, how he was begotten, and in what manner. Afore the time that Sir Galahad wa- begotten or born, there came in a hermit unto King Arthur, on Whitsunday, as the knights sat at the Round Table: .and when the hermit saw the siege perilous, he asked the King and all the knights, why that seat was void? King Arthur and all the knights answered, "There shall never none sit in that siege but one, but if he be destroyed." "Then," said the hermit, "wot ye not what he is?" "Nay," said King Arthur and all the knights, "we wot not who he is that shall sit therein." "Then wot I," said the hermit, "for he that shall sit in that siege is yet unborn and ungotten, and this same year he shall be gotten that shall sit in that siege perilous, and he shall win the Sancgreal." When the hermit had made this mention, he departed from the court of King Arthur. And then after the feast Sir Launcelot rode on his adventures, till upon a time by adventure he passed over the bridge of Corbin: and there he saw the fairest tower that ever he saw, and there under was a fair town full of people, and all the people, men and women, cried all at once, "Ye are welcome, Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all knighthood, for by thee all we shall be holpen out of danger." "What mean ye," said Sir Launcelot, "that ye cry so upon me?" "Ah 1 fair knight," said they all, "here is within this tower a dolorous lady, that hath been there in pains many winters: for ever she boileth in scalding water. And but late," said all the people, "Sir Gawaine was here, and he might not help her, and so he left her still in pain." "So may I," said Sir Launcelot, "l...