Chapter VII

           Beingnowhappilymarried,KingArthurforaseasontookhispleasure,withgreattournaments,andjousts,andhuntings.Soonceuponatimethekingandmanyofhisknightsrodehuntinginaforest,andArthur,KingUrience,andSirAccolonofGaul,followedafteragreathart,andbeingallthreewellmounted,theychasedsofastthattheyoutspedtheircompany,andleftthemmanymilesbehind;butridingstillasrapidlyastheycouldgo,atlengththeirhorsesfelldeadunderthem.Thenbeingallthreeonfoot,andseeingthestagnotfarbeforethem,verywearyandnighspent—“Whatshallwedo,”saidKingArthur,“forwearehardbested?”“Letusgoonafoot,”saidKingUrience,“tillwecanfindsomelodging.”Atthattheysawthestaglyinguponthebankofagreatlake,withahoundspringingathisthroat,andmanyotherhoundstroopingtowardshim.So,runningforward,Arthurblewthedeath-noteonhishorn,andslewthehart.Thenliftinguphiseyeshesawbeforehimonthelakeabarge,alldrapeddowntothewater’sedge,withsilkenfoldsandcurtains,whichswiftlycametowardshim,andtoucheduponthesands;butwhenhewentupcloseandlookedin,hesawnoearthlycreature.Thenhecriedouttohiscompanions,“Sirs,comeyehither,andletusseewhatthereisinthisship.”Sotheyallthreewentin,andfounditeverywherethroughoutfurnished,andhungwithrichdraperiesofsilkandgold.