spears and so enter into the castle again with great joy. Messire Gawain seeth the insolence that the knights have wrought, and right black, that went amidst the castle roaring so loud that it seemed to be "Sir, this is the castle of the Black Hermit. Wherefore am I fain to hundred and fifty and two, right parlous to behold. And they come a longing for the coming of the Good Knight?" "Damsel," saith Messire Gawain, "What is this castle here that is so great gallop toward the damsel, and toward the car, and take the What hath become of the Good Knight, and when will he come?" to me, for otherwise it may well be that your death is at hand, for "Sir, never may this mischief be amended, nor this outrage be done "Messire Gawain," saith the damsel, "Now may you know how little would foul and hideous, wherein is such dolour suffered and such weary "Damsel, an evil castle is this where folk are robbed on such wise." your force have availed you herein." water come down from the head of a mountain, foul and horrible and behold, through the gateway come knights armed on black horses and their arms all black and their shields and spears, and there were a They come anigh the castle as it were a couple of bow-shots, and horrible like as it had been hell, and within the castle heard he great great shame hath he of himself that he hath not moved withal. thunder. Messire Gawain seeth the entrance of the gateway foul and hundred and fifty-two heads, each one his own, and set them upon their outcries and lamentations, and the most part heard he saying: "Ha, God! pray you that you meddle not herein for nought that they within may do away, nor the evil-doer therein be stricken down, nor they that cry and against them will you have no might nor power."