_How Sir Mador appeached the queen of treason, and there was no knight
would fight for her at the first time._
And ever Sir Mador stood still afore the king, and ever he appealed the
queen of treason: for the custom was such that time that all manner of
shameful death was called treason. Fair lords, said king Arthur, me
repenteth of this trouble, but the case is so I may not have ado in
this matter, for I must be a rightful judge, and that repenteth me that
I may not do battle for my wife: for, as I deem, this deed came never
by her, and therefore I suppose she shall not be all distained, but
that some good knight shall put his body in jeopardy, rather than she
shall be burnt in a wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir Mador, be not so
hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless, and therefore
desire thou thy day of battle, and she shall purvey her of some good
knight that shall answer you, or else it were to me great shame, and to
all my court. My gracious lord, said Sir Mador, ye must hold me
excused, for though ye be our king in that degree, ye are but a knight
as we are, and ye are sworn unto knighthood as well as we, and
therefore I beseech you that ye be not displeased. For there is none of
the four and twenty knights that were bidden to this dinner but all
they have great suspicion unto the queen. What say ye all, my lords?
said Sir Mador. Then they answered by and by that they could not excuse
the queen, for why she made the dinner, and either it must come by her
or by her servants. Alas, said the queen, I made this dinner for a good
intent, and never for none evil; so Almighty God help me in my right as
I was never purposed to do such evil deeds, and that I report me unto
God. My lord the king, said Sir Mador, I require you, as ye be a
righteous king, give me a day that I may have justice. Well, said the
king, I give the day this day fifteen days, that thou be ready armed on
horseback in the meadow beside Westminster. And if it so fall that
there be any knight to encounter with you, there mayest thou do the
best, and God speed the right. And if it so fall that there be no
knight at that day, then must my queen be burnt, and there shall she be
ready to have her judgment. I am answered, said Sir Mador; and every
knight went where it liked him. So when the king and the queen were
together, the king asked the queen how this case befell? The queen
answered, So God me help I wot not how, nor in what manner. Where is
Sir Launcelot? said king Arthur, and he were here, he would not grudge
to do battle for you. Sir, said the queen, I wot not where he is, but
his brother and his kinsmen deem that he is not within this realm. That
me repenteth, said king Arthur, for and he were here he would soon
stint this strife. Then I will counsel you, said the king, and unto Sir
Bors—That ye will do battle for her for Sir Launcelot’s sake,—and
upon my life he will not refuse you. For well I see, said the king,
that none of these four and twenty knights that were with you at your
dinner, where Sir Patrise was slain, will do battle for you, nor none
of them will say well of you, and that shall be great slander for you
in this court. Alas, said the queen, and I may not do withal, but now I
miss Sir Launcelot, for and he were here he would put me soon to my
heart’s ease. What aileth you, said the king, ye cannot keep Sir
Launcelot on your side? For, wit ye well, said the king, who that hath
Sir Launcelot upon his party hath the most man of worship in the world
upon his side. Now go your way, said the king unto the queen, and
require Sir Bors to do battle for you for Sir Launcelot’s sake.