_How the corpse of the maid of Astolat arrived tofore king Arthur, and
of the burying, and how Sir Launcelot offered the mass-penny._
So by fortune king Arthur and the queen Guenever were speaking together
at a window; and so as they looked into Thames, they espied this black
barget, and had marvel what it meant. Then the king called Sir Kay, and
shewed it him. Sir, said Sir Kay, wit you well there is some new
tidings. Go thither, said the king to Sir Kay, and take with you Sir
Brandiles and Agravaine, and bring me ready word what is there. Then
these three knights departed, and came to the barget, and went in; and
there they found the fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor man
sitting in the barget’s end, and no word would he speak. So these three
knights returned unto the king again, and told him what they found.
That fair corpse will I see, said the king. And so then the king took
the queen by the hand and went thither. Then the king made the barget
to be holden fast; and then the king and the queen entered, with
certain knights with them. And there he saw the fairest woman lie in a
rich bed, covered unto her middle with many rich clothes, and all was
of cloth of gold, and she lay as though she had smiled. Then the queen
espied a letter in her right hand, and told it to the king. Then the
king took it, and said, Now I am sure this letter will tell what she
was, and why she is come hither. Then the king and the queen went out
of the barget, and so commanded a certain man to wait upon the barget.
And so when the king was come within his chamber, he called many
knights about him, and said that he would wit openly what was written
within that letter. Then the king brake it, and made a clerk to read
it; and this was the intent of the letter:—Most noble knight, Sir
Launcelot, now hath death made us two at debate for your love; I was
your lover, that men called the fair maiden of Astolat; therefore unto
all ladies I make my moan; yet pray for my soul, and bury me at the
least, and offer ye my mass-penny. This is my last request. And a clean
maiden I died, I take God to witness. Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot,
as thou art peerless.—This was all the substance in the letter. And
when it was read, the king, the queen, and all the knights wept for
pity of the doleful complaints. Then was Sir Launcelot sent for. And
when he was come, king Arthur made the letter to be read to him; and
when Sir Launcelot heard it word by word, he said, My lord Arthur, wit
ye well I am right heavy of the death of this fair damsel. God knoweth
I was never causer of her death by my willing, and that will I report
me to her own brother; here he is, Sir Lavaine. I will not say nay,
said Sir Launcelot, but that she was both fair and good, and much I was
beholden unto her, but she loved me out of measure. Ye might have
shewed her, said the queen, some bounty and gentleness, that might have
preserved her life. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, she would none other way
be answered, but that she would be my wife, or else my love, and of
these two I would not grant her; but I proffered her, for her good love
that she shewed me, a thousand pound yearly to her and to her heirs,
and to wed any manner knight that she could find best to love in her
heart. For, madam, said Sir Launcelot, I love not to be constrained to
love; for love must arise of the heart, and not by no constraint. That
is truth, said the king, and many knights: love is free in himself, and
never will be bounden; for where he is bounden he loseth himself. Then
said the king unto Sir Launcelot, It will be your worship that ye
oversee that she be interred worshipfully. Sir, said Sir Launcelot,
that shall be done as I can best devise. And so many knights went
thither to behold that fair maiden. And so upon the morn she was
interred richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her mass-penny, and all the
knights of the Table Round that were there at that time offered with
Sir Launcelot. And then the poor man went again with the barget. Then
the queen sent for Sir Launcelot, and prayed him of mercy, for why she
had been wroth with him causeless. This is not the first time, said Sir
Launcelot, that ye have been displeased with me causeless; but, madam,
ever I must suffer you, but what sorrow I endure I take no force. So
this passed on all that winter, with all manner of hunting and hawking,
and justs and tourneys were many betwixt many great lords; and ever in
all places Sir Lavaine gat great worship, so that he was nobly renowned
among many knights of the Table Round.