_How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and how Sir
Meliagraunce laid a bushment for Launcelot._
Then by the queen’s commandment they left battle, and dressed the
wounded knights on horseback, some sitting, some overthwart their
horses, that it was pity to behold them. And then Sir Meliagrance
charged the queen and all her knights that none of all her fellowship
should depart from her; for full sore he drad Sir Launcelot du Lake,
lest he should have any knowledging. All this espied the queen, and
privily she called unto her a child of her chamber, that was swiftly
horsed, to whom she said, Go thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear
this ring unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me,
that he will see me, and rescue me if ever he will have joy of me; and
spare thou not thy horse, said the queen, neither for water, neither
for land. So the child espied his time, and lightly he took his horse
with the spurs, and departed as fast as he might. And when Sir
Meliagrance saw him so flee, he understood that it was by the queen’s
commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed
chased him, and shot at him, but from them all the child went suddenly;
and then Sir Meliagrance said unto the queen, Madam, ye are about to
betray me, but I shall ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come
lightly at you. And then he rode with her and they all to his castle in
all the haste that he might. And by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an
enbushment the best archers that he might get in his country, to the
number of a thirty, to await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if
they saw such a manner of knight come by the way upon a white horse,
that in any wise they slay his horse, but in no manner of wise have not
ado with him bodily, for he is over hard to be overcome. So this was
done, and they were come to his castle, but in no wise the queen would
never let none of the ten knights and her ladies out of her sight, but
always they were in her presence, for the book saith Sir Meliagrance
durst make no masteries for dread of Sir Launcelot, in so much he
deemed that he had warning. So when the child was departed from the
fellowship of Sir Meliagrance, within awhile he came to Westminster.
And anon he found Sir Launcelot. And when he had told his message, and
delivered him the queen’s ring, Alas, said Sir Launcelot, now am I
shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from
dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his armour, and ever the child told
Sir Launcelot how the ten knights fought marvellously, and how Sir
Pelleas, and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde,
fought strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none withstand
him, and how they all fought till at the last they were laid to the
earth, and then the queen made appointment for to save their lives, and
go with Sir Meliagrance. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that most noble
lady, that she should be so destroyed! I had lever, said Sir Launcelot,
than all France that I had been there well armed. So when Sir Launcelot
was armed and upon his horse, he prayed the child of the queen’s
chamber to warn Sir Lavaine how suddenly he was departed, and for what
cause,—And pray him, as he loveth me, that he will hie him after me,
and that he stint not until he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance
abideth or dwelleth, for there, said Sir Launcelot, shall he hear of me
and I am a man living, and rescue the queen and the ten knights the
which he traitorously hath taken, and that shall I prove upon his head,
and all them that hold with him.