"At least," he cried, "tell usby what name are you known ?" "Sir," she answered, "I am called the Ladyof the Lake."For a long way, Lancelot escorted the fairy, who said to him as she tookleave: "King's son, you are derived from lineage the most noble on earth;see to it that your worth be as great as your beauty. To-morrow you willask the king to bestow on you knighthood; when you are armed, you will nottarry in his house a single night. Abide in one place no longer than youcan help, and refrain from declaring your name until others proclaim it.Be prepared to accomplish every adventure, and never let another mancomplete a task which you yourself have undertaken." With that, she gavehim a ring that had the property of dissolving enchantment, and commendedhim to God.On the morrow, Lancelot arrayed himself in his fairest robes, and suedfor knighthood, as he had been commanded to do. Sir Ewain attended him tocourt, where they dismounted in front of the palace; the king and queenadvanced to meet them; each took Sir Ewain by a hand, and seated him on acouch, while the varlet stood in their presence on the rushes that strewedthe floor. All gazed with pleasure, and the queen prayed that God mightmake him noble, for he possessed as much beauty as was possible for man tohave.After this he had many perilous adventures; he fought with giants andlions; he entered an enchanted castle and escaped; he went to a well inthe forest, and, striking three times on a cymbal with a hammer hung therefor the purpose, called forth a great giant, whom he slew, afterwardsmarrying his daughter.
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