XIII. dread of death; for he smote off the head of the comeliest knight that he may go; rather, he prayeth God every day as sweetly as he may, that In the city wherein Lancelot had arrived were many waste houses and City, and findeth the city empty as it was the first time he was there. Thus spake the damsels. Lancelot much marvelled where they might be, that came hither before him have failed us, and so will he also for he heard a great cry and lamentation of dames and damsels, but he knew was in this kingdom and the best, wherefore ought he also to have his He save the Queen, and that he may deliver his body from this jeopardy. for nought could he espy of them, albeit he cometh before the palace, He hath ridden until that he cometh at the hour of noon into the Waste there where he slew the knight. He alighteth, then maketh fast his misdeem of the love they might carry to their kinswoman. The love is Scarce hath he done so, when a knight alighteth, tall and comely and horse's reins to a ring that was fixed in the mounting-stage of marble. not on which side it was, and they say: "Ha, God, how hath the knight ought any to put trust in knight, for that he cometh not! The others own smitten off, but good heed taketh he to save it if he may!" day is the day come that he ought to redeem his pledge! Never again so rooted in his heart that he may not leave it, into what peril soever strong and deliver, and he was clad in a short close-fitted jerkin of the head of the other knight, and he came sharpening it on a whetstone silk, and held the axe in his hand wherewith Lancelot had smitten off rich palaces fallen down. He had scarce entered within the city when aught beside, but he would not that the King nor Messire Gawain should betrayed us that slew the knight, inasmuch as he returneth not! This