"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "wit ye well I shall not return again."
Then looked Sir Galahad on his armor that nothing failed him, and then he put his shield afore him; and anon there met him seven maidens, that said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in a great folly, for ye have the waters for to pass over."
"Why should I not pass the water?" said Sir Galahad.
So rode he away from them, and met with a squire that said, "Knight, those knights in the castle defy you, and forbid you ye go no further till that they wit what ye would."
"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come for to destroy the wicked custom of this castle."
"Sir, and ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough to do."
"Go you now," said Galahad, "and haste my needs."
Then the squire entered into the castle. And anon after there came out of the castle seven knights, and all were brethren. And when they saw Galahad, they cried, "Knight, keep thee, for we assure thee nothing but death."
"Why," said Galahad, "will ye all have ado with me at once?"
"Yea," said they, "thereto mayest thou trust."