at last, however, most of the men, seeing how hopeless their quest was, lost heart and hope both, and returned to their homes. all except five knights, whose ardor and determination, instead of waning, seemed to wax greater with obstacles. these five men even went without their meals, and took snatches of whatever they could get brought to them, so that they might always stand outside the dwelling. they stood there in all weathers, in sunshine and in rain.