Lancelot knew not which way to turn, for he had not often been in the
forest, and knew not how the land lay nor the paths therein. He rode
until he found a little causeway, and there was a path at the side that
led to an orchard that was at a corner of the forest, where there was a
postern gate whereby one entered, and it was not made fast for the
night. And the orchard was well enclosed with walls. Lancelot entered
in and made fast the entrance, then took off his horse's bridle and let
him feed on the grass. He might not espy the castle that was hard by
for the abundance of trees and the darkness of the night, and so knew
not whither he was arrived. He laid his shield for a pillow and his
arms at his side and fell on sleep. But, had he known where it was he
had come, little sleep would he have had, for he was close to the
cavern where he slew the lion and where the griffons were, that had
come in from the forest all gorged of victual, and were fallen on
sleep, and it was for them that the postern gate had been left
unbolted. A damsel went down from a chamber by a trapdoor with a
brachet on her arm for fear of the griffons, and as she went toward the
postern-gate to lock it, she espied Lancelot, that lay asleep in the
midst of the orchard. She ran back to her Lady the speediest she
might, and said unto her: "Up, Lady!" saith she, "Lancelot is sleeping
in the orchard!"
She leapt up incontinent and came to the orchard there where Lancelot
was sleeping, then sate her down beside him and began to look at him,
sighing the while, and draweth as near him as she may.
"Fair Lord God," saith she, "what shall I do? and I wake him first he
will have no care to kiss me, and if I kiss him sleeping he will awake
forthwith; and better hap is it for me to take the most I may even in
such-wise than to fail of all, and, moreover, if so be I shall have
kissed him, I may hope that he will not hate me thereof, sith that I
may then boast that I have had at least so much of that which is his
own."
She set her mouth close to him and so kissed him the best and fairest
she might, three times, and Lancelot awakened forthwith. He leapt up
and made the cross upon him, then looked at the damsel, and said: "Ha,
God! where, then, am I?"
"Fair sweet friend," saith she, "You are nigh her that hath all set her
heart upon you and will remove it never."
"I cry you mercy, damsel," saith Lancelot, "and I tell you, for nought
that may befall, one that loveth me, please God, never will I hate!
but that which one hath loved long time ought not so soon to fall away
from the remembrance of a love that is rooted in the heart, when she
hath been proven good and loyal, nor ought one so soon to depart
therefrom."