Note 8 — THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN.

This Gwalchmai—a name which in Old British means Hawk of Battle—is our old friend "Sir Gawaine" of The Boy's King Arthur. The French romancers appear to have transformed his name from the old legendary "Gwalchmai" to "Gawaine." He was noted in Welsh poetry as one of the three golden-tongued knights of Arthur's court whose persuasions none could resist; and this may account for the strange subjection of Arthur to his influence in leading the king, against the king's will and desire, to war upon Sir Launcelot during those last days described in Sir Thomas Malory's book.