Much marvelleth Lancelot of this that they say. They come round about
him on all sides and lead him into the city. The ladies and damsels
are mounted to the windows of the great houses and make great joy, and
say the one to another, "Look at the new king here that they are
leading in. Now will he quench the fire on New Year's Day."
"Lord!" say the most part, "What great pity is it of so comely a knight
that he shall end on such-wise!"
"Be still!" say the others. "Rather should there be great joy that so
fair city as is this should be saved by his death, for prayer will be
made throughout all the kingdom for his soul for ever!"
Therewith they lead him to the palace with right great joy and say that
they will crown him. Lancelot found the palace all strown with rushes
and hung about with curtains of rich cloths of silk, and the lords of
the city all apparelled to do him homage. But he refuseth right
stoutly, and saith that their king nor their lord will he never be in
no such sort. Thereupon behold you a dwarf that entereth into the
city, leading one of the fairest dames that be in any kingdom, and
asketh whereof this joy and this murmuring may be. They tell him they
are fain to make the knight king, but that he is not minded to allow
them, and they tell him the whole manner of the fire.