III
The story saith that Lancelot went his way by strange lands and by forests to seek adventure, and rode until he found a plain land lying without a city that seemed to be of right great lordship. As he was riding by the plain land, he looketh toward the forest and seeth the plain fair and wide and the land right level. He rideth all the plain, and looketh toward the city and seeth great plenty of folk issuing forth thereof. And with them was there much noise of bag-pipes and flutes and viols and many instruments of music, and they came along the way wherein was Lancelot riding. When the foremost came up to him, they halted and redoubled their joy.
“Sir,” say they, “Welcome may you be!”
“Lords,” saith Lancelot, “Whom come ye to meet with such joy?”
“Sir,” say they, “they that come behind there will tell you clearly that whereof we are in need.”