In the Court of King Arthur | Page 8

King turned to the assemblage.
"Merlin is here but departs from us tomorrow for many a day. He has
had a great dream which affects this court and us and which must be
told to all of you. So he has asked us to call you and this we have done.
Stand up now Merlin, wisest of men and truest of counselors. Speak."
Up rose Merlin and for wonder as to what his dream might be all held
their breath.
"But the other night came Joseph of Armathea to me while I slept. And
he chided me that in all Britain so few of all the true and brave knights
had thought to seek the wondrous Holy Grail which once was pride of
all England.
"And me thought I heard him say, 'Truly do I misdoubt the valor of
these knights who seek adventure and glory.'
"'Yet.' said I, 'doubt not their valor for can I give surety for it. For Holy
Grail, every varlet, let alone those of true blood, would give his life and
count it more than worthy.'
"'So shall it be!' replied Sir Joseph. 'For the Holy Grail will be found.
Whether knight or varlet shall the finder be, I will not say. But this I

tell you now. He who finds it shall be pure of heart and noble beyond
all men. From whence he cometh, who he is, I will not say. Remember
this, Merlin, brave and noble knights there are now in England, brave
knights shall come, and some shall come as strangely as shall the Grail.
Many deeds will be done that will bring truest of glory to England's
name. And never again shall more noble or more worthy knights hold
Britain's banner so high. For they who seek the Holy Grail must be
worthy even of the search.'
"'Let your King beware that he listens well to all who come to his court
on every Pentecost. And though they who search may not be overstrong,
yet while they seek it they will find in themselves many men's strength.'
"And then he left me. But even after he was gone I dreamt on. And I
say to you, oh men of England, go you forth and seek this Holy Grail, if
within you, you know that you are pure of heart and noble. If you are
not, go then and seek to be purified for that is possible. Only one of you
will find the Holy Grail, yet is there great glory in the search. May he
who finds it and all the rest who search for it bring greater fame and
worthiness to this our land and to him who is our King."
Now Merlin turned to seat himself. But yet before he found his place
every man within the hall stood up prepared to make oath then and
there to begin the search. Only two kept still, nor did they move. One
was Sir Launcelot, the other the youth Allan.
But quick as they who upstood, Merlin spoke again. And though his
voice was low, yet was it heard throughout the hall.
"Pledge not yourself today, nor yet tomorrow. Go you hence, first. In
your innermost heart find answer to this question. Am I pure, am I
worthy for the search? For that you must be before any pledge
suffices."
Silent and thoughtful the men found each his seat. And when all had
been seated, Arthur, King, arose.
"Wouldst that I felt myself worthy. Yet from this day shall I strive to

the uttermost for the time when I shall feel that I am."
And throughout the hall came answering vows: "So shall we all."
Within his heart, Allan, the youth, felt a strange radiancy, as he too
made this vow, "So shall I."

CHAPTER SIX
Yosalinde
Now came Pentecost and brought with it to King Arthur's Tournament
brave knights from everywhere. Distant Normandy, the far shores of
Ireland, sent each the flower of its knighthood. Scotland's king was
there, the brave Cadoris, to answer the challenge of the King of
Northgalis who was also present. Ban, King of Northumberland, had
come. Sir Palomides came too, and it was he who was declared, by
many to be the bravest and the most skillful of all of Britain's knights.
Yet there were equal number and more who held the same for both Sir
Launcelot and for Sir Tristram. Sir Lauvecor, leading a hundred knights,
came late, with the blessing of his father, who was none other than
King of Ireland.
A brave show they all made, these many knights seeking adventure,
and each, as he so easily bestrode his steed, found it hard matter to find
comrade and friend, for the many who were there. Gay were the colors
each knight wore