Thereupon behold you the provosts and the lords of the city, and they
come over against Lancelot.
"Sir," say they, "All this joy is made along of you, and all these
instruments of music are moved to joy and sound of gladness for your
coming."
"But wherefore for me," saith Lancelot.
"That shall you know well betimes," say they. "This city began to burn
and to melt in one of the houses from the very same hour that our king
was dead, nor might the fire be quenched, nor never will be quenched
until such time as we have a king that shall be lord of the city and of
the honour thereunto belonging, and on New Year's Day behoveth him to
be crowned in the midst of the fire, and then shall the fire be
quenched, for otherwise may it never be put out nor extinguished.
Wherefore have we come to meet you to give you the royalty, for we have
been told that you are a good knight."
"Lords," saith Lancelot, "Of such a kingdom have I no need, and God
defend me from it."
"Sir," they say, "You may not be defended thereof, for you come into
this land at hazard, and great grief would it be that so good land as
you see this is were burnt and melted away by the default of one single
man, and the lordship is right great, and this will be right great
worship to yourself, that on New Year's Day you should be crowned in
the fire and thus save this city and this great people, and thereof
shall you have great praise."