"Sir," saith she, "You had once, on a day that is past, right great
pity of me, and saved me my honour, whereof am I in great unhappiness.
But better love I to suffer misease in honour, than to have plenty and
abundance in shame or reproach, for shame endureth, but sorrow is soon
overpassed."
Thereupon behold you the knight of the hold, whither he cometh from
shooting in the forest and maketh carry in full great plenty venison of
deer and wild boar. He alighted to greet the knights, and began to
laugh when he saw Lancelot.
"By my head," saith he, "I know you well For you disappointed me of the
thing I best loved in the world, and made me marry this damsel that
never yet had joy of me, nor never shall have."
"Faith, Sir," saith Lancelot, "You will do your pleasure therein, for
she is yours. Truth it is that I made you marry her, for you were fain
to do her a disgrace and a shame in such sort that her kinsfolk would
have had shame of her."
"By my head," saith the knight, "the damsel that I loved before loveth
you no better hereof, nay, rather, fain would she procure your vexation
and your hurt and your shame if she may, and great power hath she in
this forest."
"Sir," saith Lancelot, "I have sithence spoken to her and she to me,
and so hath she told me her will and her wish."
Thereupon the knight bade the knights take water, and the lady taketh
the basins and presenteth water to the knights.
"Avoid, damsel," saith the King, "Take it away! Never, please God,
shall it befall that we should accept such service from you."
"By my head," saith the knight, "But so must you needs do, for other
than she shall not serve you to-night in this matter, or otherwise
shall you not eat with me this night there within."