_How Launcelot was brought to an hermit for to be healed of his wound,
and of other matters._
And when the hermit beheld him as he sat leaning upon his saddle-bow,
ever bleeding piteously, and ever the knight hermit thought that he
should know him, but he could not bring him to knowledge, because he
was so pale for bleeding. What knight are ye? said the hermit, and
where were ye born? My fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, I am a stranger,
and a knight adventurous that laboureth throughout many realms for to
win worship. Then the hermit advised him better, and saw by a wound on
his cheek that he was Sir Launcelot. Alas, said the hermit, mine own
lord, why hide you your name from me: forsooth I ought to know you of
right, for ye are the most noblest knight of the world; for well I know
you for Sir Launcelot. Sir, said he, sith ye know me, help me and ye
may, for God’s sake; for I would be out of this pain at once, either to
death or to life. Have ye no doubt, said the hermit, ye shall live and
fare right well. And so the hermit called to him two of his servants,
and so he and his servants bare him into the hermitage, and lightly
unarmed him and laid him in his bed. And then anon the hermit stanched
his blood, and made him to drink good wine, so that Sir Launcelot was
well refreshed, and knew himself. For in those days it was not the
guise of hermits as is now adays. For there were none hermits in those
days but that they had been men of worship and of prowess, and those
hermits held great household, and refreshed people that were in
distress.
Now turn we unto king Arthur, and leave we Sir Launcelot in the
hermitage. So when the kings were come together on both parties, and
the great feast should be holden, king Arthur asked the king of
Northgalis and their fellowship where was that knight that bare the red
sleeve:—Bring him before me, that he may have his laud and honour and
the prize, as it is right. Then spake Sir Galahalt the haut prince and
the king with the hundred knights: We suppose that knight is
mischieved, and that he is never like to see you, nor none of us all,
and that is the greatest pity that ever we wist of any knight. Alas,
said Arthur, how may this be? is he so hurt? What is his name? said
king Arthur. Truly, said they all, we know not his name, nor from
whence he came, nor whither he would. Alas, said the king, these be to
me the worst tidings that came to me this seven year: for I would not
for all the lands I hold, to know and wit it were so that that noble
knight were slain. Know ye him? said they all. As for that, said
Arthur, whether I know him or know him not, ye shall not know for me
what man he is, but Almighty Jesu send me good tidings of him. And so
said they all. By my head, said Sir Gawaine, if it be so, that the good
knight be so sore hurt, it is great damage and pity to all this land,
for he is one of the noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle
a spear or a sword. And if he may be found I shall find him, for I am
sure he is not far from this town. Bear you well, said king Arthur, and
ye may find him, unless that he be in such a plight that he may not
hold himself. Jesu defend, said Sir Gawaine, but wit I shall what he
is, and I may find him. Right so, Sir Gawaine took a squire with him,
upon hackneys, and rode all about Camelot within six or seven miles.
But so he came again, and could hear no word of him.
Then within two days king Arthur and all the fellowship returned unto
London again. And so as they rode by the way, it happed Sir Gawaine at
Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard, there as was Sir Launcelot lodged.
And so as Sir Gawaine was in his chamber to repose him, Sir Bernard the
old baron came unto him, and his daughter Elaine, for to cheer him, and
to ask him what tidings, and who did best at that tournament of
Winchester. Truly, said Sir Gawaine, there were two knights that bare
two white shields; but the one of them bare a red sleeve upon his head,
and certainly he was one of the best knights that ever I saw just in
field. For I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, that one knight with the red
sleeve smote down forty valiant knights of the Table Round, and his
fellow did right well and worshipfully. Now blessed be God, said the
fair maiden of Astolat, that that knight sped so well, for he is the
man in the world that I first loved, and truly he shall be the last
that ever I shall love. Now fair maid, said Sir Gawaine, is that good
knight your love? Certainly, sir, said she, wit ye well he is my love.
Then know ye his name, said Sir Gawaine. Nay, truly, said the damsel, I
know not his name, nor from whence he cometh, but to say that I love
him, I promise you and God that I love him. How had ye knowledge of him
first? said Sir Gawaine.