Messire Gawain seeth the ship going further away, and Perceval that
defendeth himself therein against them that set upon him. Right heavy
is he that he came not sooner, or ever the ship had put off from the
land. He turneth back, he and Meliot together, and right sorrowful was
Messire Gawain of Perceval, for they knew not in what land he might
arrive, and, might he have followed, right gladly would he have gone
after him to aid him. They have ridden until they meet a knight.
Messire Gawain asketh him whence he cometh, and he saith from King
Arthur's court.
"What tidings can you tell us thereof?" saith Messire Gawain.
"Sir, bad enough!" saith he. "King Arthur hath neglected all his
knights for Briant of the Isles, and hath put one of his best knights
in prison."
"What is his name?" saith Messire Gawain.
"Sir, he is called Lancelot of the Lake. He had reconquered all the
islands that had been reft of King Arthur, and slain King Madeglant,
and conquered the land of Oriande that he turned to the belief of the
Saviour of the World, and, so soon as he had conquered his enemies,
King Arthur sent for him forthwith and straightway put him in his
prison by the counsel of Briant of the Isles. But King Arthur will
have a surfeit of friends betimes; for King Claudas hath assembled his
folk in great plenty to reconquer the kingdom of Oriande and come back
upon King Arthur by the counsel of Briant of the Isles that betrayeth
the King, for he hath made him his Seneschal and commander of all his
land."
"Sir Knight," saith Messire Gawain, "Needs must the King miscarry that
setteth aside the counsel of his good knights for the leasings of a
traitor."
Thereupon the knight departed from Messire Gawain. Right heavy is he
of this that he hath said, that the King hath put Lancelot in prison.
Never tofore did he aught whereby he wrought so much to blame.