When the mass was sung, the voice of a holy angel said "Ite, missa
est". The Son took the Mother by the hand, and they evanished forth of
the chapel with the greatest company and the fairest that might ever be
seen. The flame that was come down through the window went away with
this company. When the hermit had done his service and was divested of
the arms of God, he went to King Arthur that was still without the
chapel. "Sir," saith he to the King, "Now may you well enter herein
and well might you have been joyous in your heart had you deserved so
much as that you might have come in at the beginning of the mass."
King Arthur entered into the chapel without any hindrance. "Sir," saith
the hermit to the King, "I know you well, as did I also King Uther
Pendragon your father. On account of your sins and your deserts might
you not enter here while mass was being sung. Nor will you to-morrow,
save you shall first have made amends of that you have misdone towards
God and towards the saint that is worshipped herewithin. For you are
the richest King of the world and the most adventurous, wherefore ought
all the world to take ensample of you in well-doing and in largesse and
in honour; whereas you are now an ensample of evil-doing to all rich
worshipful men that be now in the world. Wherefore shall right sore
mishap betide you and you set nor back your doing to the point whereat
you began. For your court was the sovran of all courts and the most
adventurous, whereas now is it least of worth. Well may he be sorry
that goeth from honour to shame, but never may he have reproach that
shall do him ill, that cometh from shame to honour, for the honour
wherein he is found rescueth him to God, but blame may never rescue the
man that hath renounced honour for shame, for the shame and wickedness
wherein he is found declare him guilty."