_How Sir Launcelot followed a brachet into a castle where he found a
dead knight, and how he after was required of a damsel to heal her
brother._
Now leave we there and speak of Sir Launcelot that rode a great while
in a deep forest, where he saw a black brachet, seeking in manner as it
had been in the track of an hurt deer, and therewith he rode after the
brachet, and he saw lie on the ground a large track of blood. And then
Sir Launcelot rode after. And ever the brachet looked behind her, and
so she went through a great marsh, and ever Sir Launcelot followed. And
then was he ware of an old manor, and thither ran the brachet, and so
over the bridge. So Sir Launcelot rode over that bridge that was old
and feeble; and when he came in midst of a great hall, there he saw lie
a dead knight that was a seemly man, and that brachet licked his
wounds. And therewithal came out a lady weeping and wringing her hands,
and she said, Oh knight, too much sorrow hast thou brought me. Why say
ye so? said Sir Launcelot, I did never this knight no harm, for hither
by track of blood this brachet brought me; and therefore fair lady be
not displeased with me, for I am full sore aggrieved of your grievance.
Truly sir, she said, I trow it be not ye that have slain my husband,
for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never likely to
recover, that shall I ensure him. What was your husband’s name? said
Sir Launcelot. Sir, said she, his name was called Sir Gilbert, one of
the best knights of the world, and he that hath slain him I know not
his name. Now God send you better comfort, said Sir Launcelot. And so
he departed and went into the forest again, and there he met with a
damsel, the which knew him well, and she said aloud, Well be ye found,
my lord; and now I require thee on thy knighthood help my brother that
is sore wounded, and never stinteth bleeding, for this day fought he
with Sir Gilbert and slew him in plain battle, and there was my brother
sore wounded, and there is a lady a sorceress that dwelleth in a castle
here beside, and this day she told me my brother’s wounds should never
be whole till I could find a knight that would go into the chapel
perilous, and there he should find a sword and a bloody cloth that the
wounded knight was lapped in, and a piece of that cloth and sword
should heal my brother’s wounds, so that his wounds were searched with
the sword and the cloth. This is a marvellous thing, said Sir
Launcelot, but what is your brother’s name? Sir, said she, his name is
Sir Meliot de Logres. That me repenteth, said Sir Launcelot, for he is
a fellow of the Table Round, and to his help I will do my power. Then,
sir, said she, follow even this high way, and it will bring you unto
the chapel perilous, and here I shall abide till God send you here
again, and but you speed I know no knight living that may achieve that
adventure.