_Of the sorrow that Sir Bors had for the hurt of Launcelot; and of the
anger that the queen had because Launcelot bore the sleeve._
And when Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he was a heavy man, and so
were all his kinsmen. But when queen Guenever wist that Sir Launcelot
bare the red sleeve of the fair maiden of Astolat, she was nigh out of
her mind for wrath. And then she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis in all the
haste that might be. So when Sir Bors was come tofore the queen, then
she said, Ah, Sir Bors, have ye heard say how falsely Sir Launcelot
hath betrayed me? Alas, madam, said Sir Bors, I am afraid he hath
betrayed himself, and us all. No force, said the queen, though he be
destroyed, for he is a false traitor knight. Madam, said Sir Bors, I
pray you say ye not so, for wit you well I may not hear such language
of him. Why, Sir Bors, said she, should I not call him traitor, when he
bare the red sleeve upon his head at Winchester, at the great justs?
Madam, said Sir Bors, that sleeve-bearing repenteth me sore, but I dare
say he did it to none evil intent, but for this cause he bare the red
sleeve, that none of his blood should know him; for, or then, we nor
none of us all never knew that ever he bare token or sign of maid,
lady, ne gentlewoman. Fie on him, said the queen, yet for all his pride
and boasting, there ye proved yourself his better. Nay, madam, say ye
never more so, for he beat me and my fellows, and might have slain us,
and he had would. Fie on him, said the queen, for I heard Sir Gawaine
say before my lord Arthur, that it were marvel to tell the great love
that is between the fair maiden of Astolat and him. Madam, said Sir
Bors, I may not warn Sir Gawaine to say what it pleased him: but I dare
say as for my lord Sir Launcelot, that he loveth no lady, gentlewoman,
nor maid, but all he loveth in like much, and therefore, madam, said
Sir Bors, ye may say what ye will, but wit ye well I will haste me to
seek him, and find him wheresoever he be, and God send me good tidings
of him. And so leave we them there, and speak we of Sir Launcelot, that
lay in great peril.
So as fair Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all about, and
by fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him, to enchafe his horse.
And anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried onloud
until him. And when he heard her, anon he came to her; and then she
asked her brother, How did my lord, Sir Launcelot? Who told you,
sister, that my lord’s name was Sir Launcelot? Then she told him how
Sir Gawaine by his shield knew him. So they rode together till that
they came to the hermitage, and anon she alight. So Sir Lavaine brought
her in to Sir Launcelot. And when she saw him lie so sick and pale in
his bed, she might not speak, but suddenly she fell to the earth down
suddenly in a swoon, and there she lay a great while. And when she was
relieved she sighed, and said, My lord Sir Launcelot, alas, why be ye
in this plight? and then she swooned again. And then Sir Launcelot
prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up,—And bring her to me. And when she
came to herself, Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said, Fair maiden, why
fare ye thus? Ye put me to pain; wherefore make ye no more such cheer,
for, and ye be come to comfort me, ye be right welcome, and of this
little hurt that I have, I shall be right hastily whole, by the grace
of God. But I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, who told you my name. Then
the fair maiden told him all how Sir Gawaine was lodged with her
father,—And there by your shield he discovered your name. Alas, said
Sir Launcelot, that me repenteth, that my name is known, for I am sure
it will turn unto anger. And then Sir Launcelot compassed in his mind
that Sir Gawaine would tell queen Guenever how he bare the red sleeve,
and for whom, that he wist well would turn unto great anger. So this
maiden, Elaine, never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day and
night, and did such attendance to him that the French book saith there
was never woman did more kindlier for man than she. Then Sir Launcelot
prayed Sir Lavaine to make espies in Winchester for Sir Bors if he came
there, and told him by what tokens he should know him, by a wound in
his forehead: For well I am sure, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir Bors
will seek me, for he is the same good knight that hurt me.