_How when Sir Launcelot heard of the death of king Arthur, and of Sir
Gawaine, and other matters, he came into England._
And when he heard in his country that Sir Mordred was crowned king in
England, and made war against king Arthur his own father, and would let
him to land in his own land; also it was told Sir Launcelot how that
Sir Mordred had laid siege about the tower of London, because the queen
would not wed him; then was Sir Launcelot wroth out of measure, and
said to his kinsmen, Alas, that double traitor Sir Mordred, now me
repenteth that ever he escaped my hands, for much shame hath he done
unto my lord Arthur. For all I feel by the doleful letter that my lord
Gawaine sent me, on whose soul Jesu have mercy, that my lord Arthur is
right hard bested. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that ever I should live to
hear that most noble king, that made me knight, thus to be overset with
his subject in his own realm. And this doleful letter that my lord Sir
Gawaine hath sent me afore his death, praying me to see his tomb, wit
you well his doleful words shall never go from mine heart. For he was a
full noble knight as ever was born, and in an unhappy hour was I born,
that ever I should have that unhap to slay first Sir Gawaine, Sir
Gaheris the good knight, and mine own friend Sir Gareth, that full
noble knight. Alas, I may say I am unhappy, said Sir Launcelot, that
ever I should do thus unhappily; and, alas, yet might I never have hap
to slay that traitor Sir Mordred. Leave your complaints, said Sir Bors,
and first revenge you of the death of Sir Gawaine, and it will be well
done that ye see Sir Gawaine’s tomb, and secondly that ye revenge my
lord Arthur and my lady queen Guenever. I thank you, said Sir
Launcelot, for ever ye will my worship. Then they made them ready in
all the haste that might be, with ships and galleys with Sir Launcelot
and his host, to pass into England. And so he passed over the sea till
he came to Dover: and there he landed with seven kings, and the number
was hideous to behold. Then Sir Launcelot enquired of men of Dover
where was king Arthur become? Then the people told him how that he was
slain, and Sir Mordred and an hundred thousand died on a day, and how
Sir Mordred gave king Arthur there the first battle at his landing, and
there was good Sir Gawaine slain, and on the morn Sir Mordred fought
with the king upon Barham Down, and there the king put Sir Mordred to
the worse. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, this is the heaviest tidings that
ever came to me. Now, fair sirs, said Sir Launcelot, shew me the tomb
of Sir Gawaine. And then certain people of the town brought him into
the castle of Dover, and showed him the tomb. Then Sir Launcelot
kneeled down and wept and prayed heartily for his soul. And that night
he made a dole, and all they that would come had as much flesh, fish,
wine, and ale, and every man and woman had twelve pence, come who
would. Thus with his own hand dealt he his money in a mourning gown;
and ever he wept, and prayed them to pray for the soul of Sir Gawaine.
And on the morn all the priests and clerks that might be gotten in the
country were there, and sung mass of Requiem. And there offered first
Sir Launcelot and he offered an hundred pound, and then the seven kings
offered forty pound a piece, and also there was a thousand knights, and
each of them offered a pound, and the offering dured from morn till
night. And Sir Launcelot lay two nights on his tomb in prayers and in
weeping. Then on the third day Sir Launcelot called the kings, dukes,
earls, barons and knights, and said thus: My fair lords, I thank you
all of your coming into this country with me; but we come too late, and
that shall repent me while I live, but against death may no man rebel.
But sithen it is so, said Sir Launcelot, I will myself ride and seek my
lady queen Guenever, for as I hear say, she hath great pain and much
disease, and I heard say that she is fled into the west country,
therefore ye all that abide me here, and but if I come again within
fifteen days, then take your ships, and your fellowship, and depart
into your country. For I will do as I say to you.