_How Sir Launcelot was known by dame Elaine, and was borne into a
chamber, and after healed by the Sangreal._
So it befel, that king Pelles had a nephew, his name was Castor, and so
he desired of the king to be made knight, and so at the request of this
Castor, the king made him knight at the feast of Candlemas. And when
Sir Castor was made knight, that same day he gave many gowns. And then
Sir Castor sent for the fool, that was Sir Launcelot. And when he was
come afore Sir Castor, he gave Sir Launcelot a robe of scarlet and all
that belonged unto him. And when Sir Launcelot was so arrayed like a
knight, he was the seemliest man in all the court, and none so well
made. So when he saw his time he went into the garden, and there Sir
Launcelot laid him down by a well and slept. And so at afternoon, dame
Elaine and her maidens came into the garden to play them, and as they
roamed up and down, one of dame Elaine’s maidens espied where lay a
goodly man by the well sleeping, and anon shewed him to dame Elaine.
Peace, said dame Elaine, and say no word; and then she brought dame
Elaine where he lay. And when that she beheld him, anon she fell in
remembrance of him, and knew him verily for Sir Launcelot, and
therewithal she fell on weeping so heartily that she sank even to the
earth. And when she had thus wept a great while, then she arose and
called her maidens, and said she was sick. And so she went out of the
garden, and she went straight to her father, and there she took him
apart by herself, and then she said, Oh father, now have I need of your
help, and but if that ye help me, farewell my good days for ever. What
is that, daughter? said king Pelles. Sir, she said, thus is it: in your
garden I went for to sport, and there by the well I found Sir Launcelot
du Lake sleeping. I may not believe that, said king Pelles. Sir, she
said, truly he is there, and me seemeth he should be distract out of
his wit. Then hold you still, said the king, and let me deal. Then the
king called to him such as he most trusted, a four persons, and dame
Elaine his daughter. And when they came to the well and beheld Sir
Launcelot, anon dame Brisen knew him. Sir, said dame Brisen, we must be
wise how we deal with him, for this knight is out of his mind, and if
we awake him rudely, what he will do we all know not. But ye shall
abide, and I shall throw such an enchantment upon him that he shall not
awake within the space of an hour; and so she did. Then within a little
while after king Pelles commanded that all people should avoid, that
none should be in that way there as the king would come. And so when
this was done, these four men and these ladies laid hand on Sir
Launcelot. And so they bare him into a tower, and so into a chamber
where was the holy vessel of the Sancgreal, and by force Sir Launcelot
was laid by that holy vessel, and there came a holy man and uncovered
that vessel, and so by miracle, and by virtue of that holy vessel, Sir
Launcelot was healed and recovered. And when that he was awaked he
groaned and sighed, and complained greatly that he was passing sore.