"Ye say sooth," said the king, "but I had so great joy of Sir Launcelot and of his cousins, which be come to the court whole and sound, that I bethought me not of my old custom."
So as they stood speaking, in came a squire, and said unto the king, "Sir, I bring unto you marvellous tidings."
"What be they?" said the king.
"Sir, there is here beneath at the river a great stone, which I saw fleet [float] above the water, and therein saw I sticking a sword."
The king said, "I will see that marvel."
So all the knights went with him, and when they came unto the river, they found there a stone fleeting, as it were of red marble, and therein stuck a fair and a rich sword, and in the pommel thereof were precious stones, wrought with subtle letters of gold. Then the barons read the letters, which said in this wise: "Never shall man take me hence, but only he by whom I ought to hang, and he shall be the best knight of the world."
When the king had seen these letters, he said unto Sir
Launcelot, "Fair sir, this sword ought to be yours, for I am sure that ye be the best knight of the world."
Then Sir Launcelot answered soberly, "Certainly, sir, it is not my sword. Also, sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness to set my hand to it, for it belongeth not to hang by my side. Also, who assayeth for to take that sword, and faileth of it, he shall receive a wound by that sword that he shall not be whole long after. And I will that ye wit that this same day will the adventures of the Sancgreal (that is called the holy vessel) begin."