Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK II CHAPTER IV

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 CHAPTER IV
 
 How Merlin told the adventure of this damosel.
 
 AT that time there was a knight, the which was the king's son of
 Ireland, and his name was Lanceor, the which was an orgulous
 knight, and counted himself one of the best <55>of the court; and
 he had great despite at Balin for the achieving of the sword,
 that any should be accounted more hardy, or more of prowess; and
 he asked King Arthur if he would give him leave to ride after
 Balin and to revenge the despite that he had done.  Do your best,
 said Arthur, I am right wroth with Balin; I would he were quit of
 the despite that he hath done to me and to my court.  Then this
 Lanceor went to his hostelry to make him ready.  In the meanwhile
 came Merlin unto the court of King Arthur, and there was told him
 the adventure of the sword, and the death of the Lady of the
 Lake.  Now shall I say you, said Merlin; this same damosel that
 here standeth, that brought the sword unto your court, I shall
 tell you the cause of her coming: she was the falsest damosel
 that liveth.  Say not so, said they.  She hath a brother, a
 passing good knight of prowess and a full true man; and this
 damosel loved another knight that held her to paramour, and this
 good knight her brother met with the knight that held her to
 paramour, and slew him by force of his hands.  When this false
 damosel understood this, she went to the Lady Lile of Avelion,
 and besought her of help, to be avenged on her own brother.