"Damsel," saith the King, "How shall it be known who the knight was?"
"Sir," saith she, "Right eath, for the letters are sealed within that tell his name and the name of him that slew him."
The King granteth the damsel her will in such wise as she had asked of him. He hath received the coffer, then maketh her be set at meat and right richly honoured.
III.
When the King had eaten, the damsel cometh before him.
"Sir," saith she, "Make your knights be summoned and ready for that which you have granted me, and you yourself first of all."
"Damsel," saith the King, "Right willingly."
He setteth his hand to the coffer, thinking to open it, but it was not right that it should open for him. As he set his hand thereon the coffer sweated through just as had it been sprinkled all over and was wet with water. The King marvelled greatly, and so made Messire Gawain set his hand to it and Lancelot and all those of the court, but he that might open it was not among them. Messire Kay the Seneschal had served at meat. He heard say that the King and all the others had essayed and proved the coffer but might not open it. He is come thither, all uncalled for.
"Now, then, Kay," saith the King, "I had forgotten you."
"By my head," saith Kay, "You ought not to forget me, for as good knight am I and of as much worth as they that you have called before me, and you ought not to have delayed to send for me. You have summoned all the others, and me not a whit, and yet am I as well able, or ought to be, to open the coffer as are they; for against as many knights have I defended me as they, and as many have I slain in defending my body as have they."