_How Sir Launcelot entered into the ship where Sir Percivale’s sister
lay dead; and how he met with Sir Galahad his son._
Now saith the history, that when Launcelot was come to the water of
Mortoise, as it is rehearsed before, he was in great peril, and so he
laid him down and slept, and took the adventure that God would send him.
So when he was asleep, there came a vision unto him and said,
Launcelot, arise up, and take thine armour, and enter into the first
ship that thou shalt find. And when he had heard these words, he start
up and saw great clearness about him. And then he lift up his hand and
blessed him, and so took his arms, and made him ready; and so by
adventure he came by a strand, and found a ship, the which was without
sail or oar. And as soon as he was within the ship, there he felt the
most sweetness that ever he felt; and he was fulfilled with all thing
that he thought on or desired. Then said he, Fair sweet Father Jesu
Christ, I wot not in what joy I am, for this joy passeth all earthly
joys that ever I was in. And so in this joy he laid him down to the
ship’s board, and slept till day. And when he awoke, he found there a
fair bed, and therein lying a gentlewoman dead, the which was Sir
Percivale’s sister. And as Launcelot devised her, he espied in her
right hand a writ, the which he read, the which told him all the
adventures that ye have heard tofore, and of what lineage she was come.
So with this gentlewoman Sir Launcelot was a month and more. If ye
would ask how he lived, He that fed the people of Israel with manna in
the desert, so was he fed. For every day, when he had said his prayers,
he was sustained with the grace of the Holy Ghost. So on a night he
went to play him by the water side, for he was somewhat weary of the
ship. And then he listened, and heard an horse come, and one riding
upon him. And when he came nigh he seemed a knight. And so he let him
pass, and went there as the ship was, and there he alight, and took the
saddle and the bridle and put the horse from him, and went into the
ship. And then Launcelot dressed unto him and said, Ye be welcome. And
he answered and saluted him again, and asked him, What is your name?
for much my heart giveth unto you. Truly, said he, my name is Launcelot
du Lake. Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginner of
me in this world. Ah, said he, are ye Galahad? Yea forsooth, said he.
And so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off
his helm and kissed him. And there was great joy between them, for
there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, and
many a friendly word spoken between, as kind would, the which is no
need here to be rehearsed. And there every each told other of their
adventures and marvels that were befallen to them in many journeys,
sith that they departed from the court. Anon as Galahad saw the
gentlewoman dead in the bed, he knew her well enough, and told great
worship of her, and that she was the best maid living, and it was great
pity of her death. But when Launcelot heard how the marvellous sword
was gotten, and who made it, and all the marvels rehearsed afore, then
he prayed Galahad his son that he would shew him the sword, and so he
did. And anon he kissed the pommel, and the hilts, and the scabbard.
Truly, said Launcelot, never erst knew I of so high adventures done,
and so marvellous and strange. So dwelled Launcelot and Galahad within
that ship half a year, and served God daily and nightly with all their
power. And often they arrived in isles far from folk, where there
repaired none but wild beasts; and there they found many strange
adventures and perilous, which they brought to an end. But because the
adventures were with wild beasts, and not in the quest of the
Sancgreal, therefore the tale maketh here no mention thereof, for it
would be too long to tell of all those adventures that befell them.