_How Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and received a sleeve to bear upon
his helm at the request of a maid._
Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I allow your wit, it is of late come sin ye
were wise, and therefore, madam, as at this time I will be ruled by
your counsel, and this night I will take my rest, and to-morrow by time
will take my way toward Winchester. But wit you well, said Sir
Launcelot to the queen, that at that justs I will be against the king
and all his fellowship. Ye may there do as ye list, said the queen, but
by my counsel ye shall not be against your king and your fellowship,
for therein be full many hardy knights of your blood, as ye wot well
enough, it needeth not to rehearse them. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I
pray you that ye be not displeased with me, for I will take the
adventure that God will send me. And so upon the morn early Sir
Launcelot heard mass, and brake his fast, and so took his leave of the
queen, and departed. And then he rode so much until he came to Astolat,
that is Gilford; and there it happed him in the eventide he came to an
old baron’s place, that hight Sir Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir
Launcelot entered into his lodging, king Arthur espied him as he did
walk in a garden beside the castle, how he took his lodging, and knew
him full well. It is well, said king Arthur unto the knights that were
with him in that garden beside the castle, I have now espied one knight
that will play his play at the justs to the which we be gone toward, I
undertake he will do marvels. Who is that, we pray you tell us, said
many knights that were there at that time. Ye shall not wit for me,
said the king, at this time. And so the king smiled, and went to his
lodging. So when Sir Launcelot was in his lodging, and unarmed him in
his chamber, the old baron and hermit came unto him, making his
reverence, and welcomed him in the best manner; but the old knight knew
not Sir Launcelot. Fair sir, said Sir Launcelot to his host, I would
pray you to lend me a shield that were not openly known, for mine is
well known. Sir, said his host, ye shall have your desire, for me
seemeth ye be one of the likeliest knights of the world, and therefore
I shall shew you friendship. Sir, wit you well I have two sons which
were but late made knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was
hurt that same day that he was made knight, that he may not ride, and
his shield ye shall have, for that is not known, I dare say, but here
and in no place else. And my youngest son hight Sir Lavaine, and if it
please you he shall ride with you unto that justs, and he is of his age
strong and wight. For much my heart giveth unto you that ye should be a
noble knight, therefore, I pray you tell me your name, said Sir
Bernard. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, ye must hold me excused as at
this time, and if God give me grace to speed well at the justs I shall
come again and tell you. But I pray you, said Sir Launcelot, in any
wise let me have your son Sir Lavaine with me, and that I may have his
brother’s shield. Also this shall be done, said Sir Bernard.
This old baron had a daughter that time that was called that time the
fair maid of Astolat. And ever she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully.
And, as the book saith, she cast such a love unto Sir Launcelot that
she could never withdraw her love, wherefore she died; and her name was
Elaine le Blank. So thus as she came to and fro, she was so hot in her
love that she besought Sir Launcelot to wear upon him at the justs a
token of hers. Fair damsel, said Sir Launcelot, and if I grant you
that, ye may say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady or
damsel. Then he remembered him that he would go to the justs disguised,
and for because he had never afore that time borne no manner of token
of no damsel, then he bethought him that he would bear one of her, that
none of his blood thereby might know him. And then he said, Fair
maiden, I will grant you to wear a token of yours upon my helmet, and
therefore what it is shew it me. Sir, she said, it is a red sleeve of
mine, of scarlet well embroidered with great pearls. And so she brought
it him. So Sir Launcelot received it and said, Never did I erst so much
for no damsel. And then Sir Launcelot betook the fair maiden his shield
in keeping, and prayed her to keep that until that he came again. And
so that night he had merry rest and great cheer. For ever the damsel
Elaine was about Sir Launcelot, all the while she might be suffered.