While they were still speaking, a squire came in and said to the king, “Sir, I bring you marvelous tidings.”
“Sir, I saw in the river below a great stone floating on the water, and in it a sword sticking.”
“Then,” said the king, “I will see that marvel.”
The knights went with him down to the river and saw there a stone of red marble floating, like a great millstone, and in the middle was stuck a beautiful sword, in the handle of which were words formed of precious stones set in gold, which said:
“Never shall man draw me out, save the one by whose side I ought to hang, and he shall be the best knight of the world.”
When the king read the letters, he said to Sir Launcelot, “Fair sir, this sword ought to be yours; for I am sure you are the best knight of the world.”
“Sir,” answered Sir Launcelot soberly, “it is not my sword, nor am I bold enough to grasp it, for it ought not to hang by my side; also, whoever attempts to draw it and fails, will receive a wound and will not live long after; and I am sure you must know that to-day the adventures of the Holy Grail will begin.”
“Now, fair nephew,” said the king to Sir Gawain, “attempt it once for me.”
“Sir,” said Sir Gawain, “I will obey your command.”
Immediately he grasped the sword by the handle, but could not stir it.
“Sir Gawain,” said Sir Launcelot, “this sword will one day hurt you so sorely that you will wish you had never put your hand to it for the best castle of the realm.”
“Sir,” said Sir Gawain, “I might not resist my uncle’s command.”
When King Arthur heard this he was sorry, and then he bade Sir Percival try it, who said that he would gladly, to bear Sir Gawain company. Thereupon he took hold of the sword and drew it strongly, but he could not even move it. After that there was no one who was bold enough to attempt it.
“Now you may go to dinner,” said Sir Kay, “for you have seen a marvelous adventure.”
The king and all the knights then returned to the castle and each knight sat in his own place at the table, and the young men who were not knights served them. When all were served and all the seats were filled except the Perilous Seat, a strange thing happened; for all the windows and doors of the castle shut by themselves; yet, for all that, the hall was not greatly darkened.