_How Sir Launcelot had lain fourteen days and as many nights as a dead
man, and other divers matters._
In such manner they kept Launcelot four and twenty days, and also many
nights, that ever he lay still as a dead man; and at the twenty-fifth
day befell him after midday that he opened his eyes. And when he saw
folk he made great sorrow and said, Why have ye awaked me? for I was
more at ease than I am now. Oh Jesu Christ, who might be so blessed
that might see openly thy great marvels of secretness there where no
sinner may be. What have ye seen? said they about him. I have seen,
said he, so great marvels that no tongue may tell, and more than any
heart can think, and had not my son been here afore me I had seen much
more. Then they told him how he had lain there four and twenty days and
nights. Then him thought it was punishment for the twenty-four years
that he had been a sinner, wherefore our Lord put him in penance four
and twenty days and nights. Then looked Sir Launcelot before him, and
saw the hair which he had borne nigh a year, for that he forethought
him right much that he had broken his promise unto the hermit, which he
had avowed to do. Then they asked him how it stood with him. Forsooth,
said he, I am whole of body, thanked be our Lord; therefore, sirs, for
God’s love tell me where that I am? Then said they all that he was in
the castle of Carbonek. Therewith came a gentlewoman, and brought him a
shirt of small linen cloth, but he changed not there, but took the hair
to him again. Sir, said they, the quest of the Sancgreal is achieved
right now in you, that never shall ye see of the Sancgreal no more than
ye have seen. Now I thank God, said Launcelot, of His great mercy, of
that I have seen, for it sufficeth me, for, as I suppose, no man in
this world hath lived better than I have done to achieve that I have
done. And therewith he took the hair, and clothed him in it, and above
that he put a linen shirt, and after a robe of scarlet, fresh and new.
And when he was so arrayed, they marvelled all, for they knew him that
he was Launcelot, the good knight. And then they said all, O my lord
Sir Launcelot, be that ye? And he said, Truly I am he. Then came word
to king Pelles, that the knight that had lain so long dead was Sir
Launcelot; then was the king right glad, and went to see him. And when
Launcelot saw him come, he dressed him against him, and there made the
king great joy of him. And there the king told him tidings, that his
fair daughter was dead. Then Launcelot was right heavy of it, and said,
Sir, me forthinketh the death of your daughter, for she was a full fair
lady, fresh and young. And well I wot she bare the best knight that is
now on earth, or that ever was since God was born. So the king held him
there four days. And on the morrow he took his leave at king Pelles,
and at all the fellowship that were there, and thanked them of the
great labour. Right so as they sat at dinner in the chief hall, then
was it so befallen that the Sancgreal had fulfilled the tables with all
manner of meats that any heart might think. So as they sat, they saw
all the doors and windows of the place were shut without man’s hand,
whereof they were all abashed, and none wist what to do. And then it
happed suddenly a knight came to the chief door, and knocked, and
cried, Undo the door; but they would not. And ever he cried, Undo, but
they would not. And at the last it annoyed them so much, that the king
himself arose, and came to a window where the knight called. Then he
said, Sir knight, ye shall not enter at this time, while the Sancgreal
is here, and therefore go into another. For certes ye be none of the
knights of the quest, but one of them which hath served the fiend, and
hast left the service of our Lord. And he was passing wroth at the
king’s words. Sir knight, said the king, sin ye would so fain enter,
say me of what country ye be? Sir, said he, I am of the realm of
Logris, and my name is Ector de Maris, and brother unto my lord Sir
Launcelot. Truly, said the king, me forthinketh of that I have said,
for your brother is here within. And when Ector de Maris understood
that his brother was there, for he was the man in the world that he
most dread and loved, and then he said, Alas, now doubleth my sorrow
and shame, full truly said the good man of the hill unto Gawaine and to
me of our dreams. Then went he out of the court as fast as his courser
might run, and so through out the castle.