"Lady," saith Lancelot, "Shame have I never done you nor shall do, but
the knights took in hand too shameful a business when they were minded
to take the beards of stranger knights by force."
"Sir," saith she, "I will forego mine ill-will on condition that you
harbour herewithin to-night."
"Lady," saith Lancelot, "I desire not your ill-will, wherefore will I
gladly do your pleasure."
He setteth him within the castle and maketh his horse be led in after
him, and the Lady hath the dead knight brought into the chapel and
buried. The other she biddeth be disarmed and clothed and commandeth
that his wounds be searched. Then maketh she Lancelot be disarmed and
clad right richly in a good robe, and telleth him that she knoweth well
who he is.
"Lady," saith Lancelot, "It is well for me."
Thereupon they sit to eat, and the first course is brought in by
knights in chains that had their noses cut off; the second by knights
in chains that had their eyes put out; wherefore they were led in by
squires. The third course was brought in by knights that had but one
hand and were in chains. After that, came other knights that had each
but one foot and brought in the fourth course. At the fifth course
came knights right fair and tall, and each brought a naked sword in his
hand and presented their heads to the Lady.