_How Sir Launcelot returned towards Logris, and of other adventures
which he saw in the way._
Then king Pelles came to Sir Launcelot, and told him tidings of his
brother, whereof he was sorry that he wist not what to do. So Sir
Launcelot departed, and took his armour, and said that he would go see
the realm of Logris—which I have not seen in a twelvemonth. And
therewith commended the king to God, and so rode through many realms.
And at the last he came to a white abbey, and there they made him that
night great cheer. And on the morn he arose and heard mass, and afore
an altar he found a rich tomb which was newly made, and then he took
heed, and saw the sides written with letters of gold, which said, Here
lieth king Bagdemagus of Gore, the which king Arthur’s nephew
slew:—and named him Sir Gawaine. Then was not he a little sorry, for
Launcelot loved him much more than any other, and had it been any other
than Gawaine he should not have escaped from death to life:—said to
himself, Alas, this is a great hurt to king Arthur’s court, the loss of
such a man. And then he departed, and came to the abbey where Galahad
did the adventure of the tombs, and wan the white shield with the red
cross, and there had he great cheer all that night. And on the morn he
turned unto Camelot, where he found king Arthur and the queen. But many
of the knights of the Round Table were slain and destroyed, more than
half. And so three were come home, Ector, Gawaine, and Lionel, and many
other that need not to be rehearsed. And all the court was passing glad
of Sir Launcelot; and the king asked him many tidings of his son
Galahad. And there Launcelot told the king of his adventures that had
befallen him since he departed. And also he told him of the adventures
of Galahad, Percivale, and Bors, which that he knew by the letter of
the dead damsel, and as Galahad had told him. Now, God would, said the
king, that they were all three here. That shall never be, said
Launcelot, for two of them shall ye never see, but one of them shall
come again.
Now leave we this story, and speak we of Galahad.