"Sir," saith Lucan, "Lancelot well knoweth that and you had taken no
counsel but your own, he would not have been thus entreated, and I dare
well say that never so long as he liveth will he misdo in aught towards
you, for he hath in him much valour and loyalty, as many a time have
you had good cause to know. Wherefore, and you would fain have aid and
succour and hold your realm again, behoveth you set him forth of the
prison, or otherwise never will you succeed herein, and, if you do not
so, you will lose your land by treason."
The King held by the counsel of Lucan the Butler. He made bring
Lancelot before him into the midst of the hall, that was somewhat made
ean of his being in prison, but he bore him as he wont, nor might none
look at him to whom he seemed not to be good knight. "Lancelot," saith
the King, "How is it with you?"
"Sir," saith he, "It hath been ill with me long time, but, please God,
it shall be better hereafter."
"Lancelot," saith the King, "I repent me of this that I have done to
you, and I have bethought me much of the good services I have found in
you, wherefore I will do you amends thereof at your will, in such sort
as that the love between us shall be whole as it was tofore."