With that the King mounted again and departed, and left the damsel
under the tree and entered into the deep forest and rode with much ado
as fast as he might to come to Cardoil. And he had ridden a good ten
leagues Welsh when he heard a Voice in the thick of the forest that
began to cry aloud: "King Arthur of Great Britain, right glad at heart
mayst thou be of this that God hath sent me hither unto thee. And so
He biddeth thee that thou hold court at the earliest thou mayst, for
the world, that is now made worse of thee and of thy slackness in
well-doing, shall thereof be greatly amended!"
With that the Voice is silent, and the King was right joyous in his
heart of that he had heard. The story speaketh no more here of other
adventure that befel King Arthur in his returning nor on his arriving.
Anyway, he hath ridden so long that he is come back to Cardoil. The
Queen and the knights made great feast of him and great joy. The King
was alighted on the mounting-stage and went up into the hall and made
him be disarmed. And he showed the Queen the wound that he had on his
arm, that had been right great and painful, but it was healing full
fairly. The King goeth into the chamber and the Queen with him, and
doeth the King be apparelled in a robe of cloth of silk all furred of
ermine, with coat, surcoat and mantle.
"Sir," saith the Queen, "Sore pain and travail have you had."
"Lady, in such wise behoveth worshipful man to suffer in order that he
may have honour, for hardly shall none without travail come to honour."
He recounteth to the Queen all the adventures that have befallen him
sithence that he was departed, and in what manner he was wounded in the
arm, and of the damsel that had so blamed him of his name.
"Sir," saith the queen, "Now may you well know how meet it is that a
man high and rich and puissant should have great shame of himself when
he becometh evil."
"Lady," saith the King, "So much did the damsel do me well to wot, but
greatly did a Voice recomfort me that I heard in the forest, for it
told me that God bade me hold court presently, and that I shall see
there the fairest adventure befal that ever I may see."
"Sir," saith she, "Right joyous ought you to be that your Saviour hath
had you in remembrance. Now, therefore, fulfil His commandment."
"Certes, Lady, so will I do. For never had none better desire of
well-doing than have I as at this time, nor of honour nor of largesse."
"Sir," saith she, "God be praised thereof."