Thereupon the dwarf smiteth the mule with his whip, and she departeth.
Lancelot would answer none of her reviling, wherefore he departed
forthwith, and rideth so long on his journeys that he is come back to
the house of the good King Hermit, that maketh right great joy of him.
And he telleth him that he hath been unto the house of King Fisherman,
his brother that lieth in languishment, and telleth him also how he
hath been honoured in his hostel, and of the salutations that he sent
him. King Hermit is right joyous thereof, and asketh him of his
nephew, and he telleth him he hath seen him not since he departed
thence. King Hermit asketh him whether he hath seen the Graal, and he
telleth him he hath seen it not at all.
"I know well," saith the King, "wherefore this was so. And you had had
the like desire to see the Graal that you have to see the Queen, the
Graal would you have seen."
"Sir," saith Lancelot, "The Queen do I desire to see for the sake of
her good intent, her wisdom, courtesy and worth, and so ought every
knight to do. For in herself hath she all honourable conditions that a
lady may have."
"God grant you good issue therein," saith King Hermit, "and that you do
nought whereof He may visit you with His wrath at the Day of Judgment."
Lancelot lay the night in the hermitage, and on the morrow departed
thence and took leave when he had heard mass, and cometh back as
straight as he may to Pannenoisance on the sea of Wales, where were the
King and Queen with great plenty of knights and barons.