CHAPTER IX. SIR BEAUMAINS’ QUEST
SOON after this, it befell that King Arthur chose to keep the Feast of Pentecost at a fair city and castle of his, named Kinkenadon, that was on the sea-side near the Welsh border. And about noon on the Day of Pentecost, as the king and all his knights were going to their meat, there came into the hall two men richly attired, and between them, leaning on their shoulders, there walked a young man, tall and well made, with very broad shoulders and a comely countenance, and the fairest and largest hands that ever man saw. Room was made for him to go up to the high dais where sat King Arthur and Queen Guenever, and when he stood there he said,—
“God bless thee, O King, and all thy fellowship, and in especial the fellowship of the Round Table. For this cause am I come hither—to pray that thou wilt give me three gifts, the which shall not be unreasonable, but such as may be worshipfully and honourably granted. And as for the first gift, I will ask it now, and the other two on this day twelve months.”
“Now ask,” said King Arthur, “and you shall have your request.”
“Then, sir,” said the young man, “this is now my petition—that you will give me meat and drink sufficient during these twelve months.”
“Ask better, my fair son, I counsel thee,” quoth the king, “for this is but a simple request, and my heart giveth to thee greatly; for, if I be not greatly mistaken, thou art come of men of worship, and wilt thyself prove a worshipful knight.”
“Sir,” answered the other, “let that be as it may; I have asked all that I will ask.”
“Well,” said Arthur, “you shall have meat and drink enough; that I never refused to friend or foe. But what is thy name?”
“That I cannot tell you,” he answered.