Lancelot was in the chapel until the morrow before the tomb. The
hermits apparelled them to do the service that they chanted each day,
mass for the soul of the Queen and her son. Lancelot heareth them with
right good will. When the masses were sung, he taketh leave of the
hermits and looketh at the coffin right tenderly. He commendeth the
body that lieth therein to God and His sweet Mother; then findeth he
without the chapel his horse accoutred ready, and mounteth forthwith,
and departeth, and looketh at the place and the chapel so long as he
may see them. He hath ridden so far that he is come nigh Cardoil, and
findeth the land wasted and desolate, and the towns burnt, whereof is
he sore grieved. He meeteth a knight that came from that part, and he
was wounded full sore. Lancelot asketh him whence he cometh, and he
saith, "Sir, from towards Cardoil. Kay the Seneschal, with two other
knights, is leading away Messire Ywain li Aoutres toward the castle of
the Hard Rock. I thought to help to rescue him, but they have wounded
me in such sort as you see."
"Are they ever so far away?" saith Lancelot.
"Sir, they will pass just now at the head of this forest; and so you
are fain to go thither, I will return with you right willingly and help
you to the best I may."
Lancelot smiteth his horse with the spurs forthwith, and the knight
after him, and espieth Kay the Seneschal, that was bringing Messire
Ywain along at a great pace, and had set him upon a trotting hackney,
for so he thought that none would know him. Lancelot overtaketh him
and crieth, "By my head, Kay the Seneschal, shame had you enough of
that you did to King Arthur when you slew his son, and as much more
ought you now to have of thus warring upon him again!"
He smiteth his horse of his spurs, lance in rest, and Kay the Seneschal
turneth toward him, and they mell together with their spears on their
shields, and pierce them in such sort that an ells-length of each shaft
passeth through beyond.