forest came down close to the meadow, and made, as it were, a green wall
of foliage circumjacent to that part of the field. Here, beneath the
shade of the green trees of the forest where it was cool and shady and
very still, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine had taken stand at a certain
place whence they could look out upon those two parties of knights there
gathered in battle array. And, that while, the eyes of Sir Lavaine shone
like sparks of light and his cheeks were flaming red, like as though
they were on fire, and his breath was thick and stifled when he breathed
it. For this was the first great battle in which he had ever taken a
part and he wist not what was to befall him in that affair at arms.
But that same while Sir Launcelot neither moved nor spake but sat his
horse like to a statue made of iron; calm and steadfast and gazing very
steadily out upon that plain before him.
Then Sir Lavaine spake in a voice wonderfully high and clear. "Messire,"
said he, "upon what side do you will that we take part in this battle?"
Quoth Sir Launcelot: "To neither party do I yet will that we shall join
us. Rather let us wait a while and observe the issue of this battle, and
when we behold that one side is about to lose in the battle then will we
join with that side. For if so be we aid to bring victory out of defeat
for that party, then shall our credit and our glory be magnified in that
same degree." And Sir Lavaine said, "Sir, thou speakest with great
wisdom."
Then, as those two watched in that wise, they beheld that three
knights-champion came forth from one side and that three champions came
forth from the other side and they wist that these six champions were to
engage man to man and so to test the strength of this side and of that
ere the two arrays should join in battle-royal. And Sir Launcelot knew
these six champions very well and he declared to Sir Lavaine who they
were. To wit, he declared that the champions upon King Arthur's side
were the King of Scots and the King of Ireland and Sir Palamydes, and
that the knights of the other party were the King of Northumberland, and
the King of an Hundred Knights, and Galahaut the High Prince.
[Sidenote: _How the battle openeth._]
Then, even as Sir Launcelot was telling Sir Lavaine who were these six
champions who thus stood forth to undertake battle against one another,
the herald blew his trumpet very loud and shrill. And therewith, in an
instant of time, each knight had set spurs to his horse, and each horse
leaped forward from his station and rushed forward, and so they came,
three knights against three, like to thunderbolts launched against one
another. So they met together in the midst of the course with a crash of
splintering wood and a roar of armor that might easily have been heard a
mile away. In that meeting Sir Palamydes and Sir Galahaut the High
Prince smote down one another into the dust. And the King of an Hundred
Knights smote down King Angus of Ireland with such terrible violence
that he lay like dead upon the ground and had to be borne away out of
the field by his esquires and could not again do battle that day. As to
the King of Northumberland and the King of Scots, they broke each his
lance upon the other without suffering a fall. So that first encounter
was somewhat to the advantage of the party against King Arthur.
[Sidenote: _Of the grand assault at arms._]
Then all who beheld that noble encounter of knight against knight
shouted aloud in acclaim, and the shout of that vast acclaim was like
the multitudinous roaring of a strong wind in the forest. Thereupon in
the midst of all that roaring the herald blew his trump again and
therewith the two parties contestant rushed the one upon the other, the
earth shaking and trembling beneath that charge like to an earthquake.
So in another moment they met together in such an uproar of iron and
cracking of splintered wood that the ears of those who heard that
meeting were stunned with the crash thereof. Then all the air was full
of dust and splinters of wood and scraps and shreds of silk and of
plumes. Anon, out of a thick red cloud of dust there arose the roar of a
mighty battle; the shouts of men, the neighing of horses, the crash of
blows and the groans of those who fell. At times, some knight would
come forth out of the press reeling in the saddle and all red from some
wound he had got. At other times, a party of esquires would run into
that cloud, presently to come forth again bearing with them a wounded
knight whom they had rescued. At other parts of the field there were
knights armed with spears who ran tilt against one another, and ever and
anon a knight would be flung from the saddle or else horse and knight
would roll together upon the earth all in a smother of dust.
So for a while the battle was toward and yet no one could see how it
went. For what with all that dust and the contending of single
champions, no one could tell whether it inclined to this side or to
that.
But after a while the dust lifted a little, and those who contended
became fewer upon one side than upon the other and so stinted the
fierceness of their battle.
Then it was that those who looked down upon that battle beheld that the
party of King Arthur was pushing their opponents back, little by little,
toward the barriers upon their side of the field (and if so be they were
pushed altogether against that barrier then was their battle lost for
good).
Then Sir Launcelot said to Sir Lavaine: "Behold yonder company of noble
knights, how that they hold together and stand against their enemies in
spite of that defeat which must certainly fall upon them in the end."
"I see it," said Sir Lavaine, "and have great pity for them."
"Hast thou so?" said Sir Launcelot. "Then let us take side with that
side which is so sore bestead, for I believe that if you will help me a
little we may well aid them and maybe stay the ill-fortune that seems
like to overwhelm them."
"Sir," quoth Sir Lavaine, "spare not, and I upon my side will do the
best that I am able for to help you."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine take part in the battle._]
So with that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine rode out from the forest
wherein they had sheltered themselves, and they set their spears in rest
and they drove forward to where those knights were doing combat. And
they drove faster and faster forward until they drove full tilt into the
thickest of the press.
The history of these things saith that in this charge and in other
charges that he made in that onset, Sir Launcelot smote down Sir
Brandiles, and Sir Sagramore, and Sir Dodinas, and Sir Kay, and Sir
Griflet, and the history saith that he smote down all those good knights
of the Round Table with one spear ere that spear burst asunder. And the
same history saith that Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucian the botteler
and Sir Bedivere with one spear in that charge and that then that spear
also was burst into pieces. And the history saith that Sir Launcelot got
him another spear and that Sir Lavaine did likewise and that thereafter
they two charged again as they had done before. And it saith that in
this second assault Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Agravaine, and Sir
Gaheris and Sir Modred and Sir Melyot of Logres, and that Sir Lavaine
smote down Sir Hozanna le Cure Hardy, and that after that those second
spears were burst in assault as the first had been.
Then Sir Lavaine withdrew a little to get another spear, but by that
time the madness of battle was upon Sir Launcelot so that he drew his
sword and he ran into the thickest of the press and smote upon the right
hand and the left hand with all his might and main so that in a
wonderfully short pass he had smitten down Sir Safir and Sir Epynogris
and Sir Galleron. And so terrible were the buffets he gave that all who
were nigh to him drew away from him from fear of the terrible blows
which he bestowed upon whomsoever came within his reach.
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine taketh joy in the battle._]
By now all who looked upon that field were aware of how terrible a
battle it was that the knight of the red sleeve fought against his
enemies, wherefore they shouted aloud with a great voice of outcry and
loud acclaim. And the Lady Elaine the Fair beheld how her champion did
battle, and seeing him she could not contain the passion of her joy, but
laughed and wept and trembled for that joy. And she catched King Pelles
ever by the arm and cried out to him, "Lord! Lord! see what our champion
doeth and what my brother doeth!" and King Pelles said, "I see! I see!"
and held tight hold of the rail of the dais before him.
Then King Arthur where he sat said to those about him: "Behold yonder
champion, what battle it is he doeth. Saw ye ever a better battle than
that?" And they say, "Nay, never so great a battle!"
But when Sir Gawaine beheld the flame-colored sleeve that the champion
wore about his helmet, he said to King Arthur, "Yonder knight is he who
cast me down yesterday into the dust of the highway over against the
town," and Sir Gawaine said, "because of that and because of the battle
he now doeth, I would deem yonder knight to be none other than Sir
Launcelot of the Lake. And yet it cannot be Sir Launcelot, for this
knight weareth the sleeve of some lady as a favor upon his helmet, and
all the world knoweth that Sir Launcelot would never wear the favor of
any lady in such a wise as that."
[Sidenote: _Of the pause in battle._]
Meantime the battle was stayed for a little while, for at that time it
seemed as though neither horse nor man could do any more for that
while. Yet though the battle was stayed, nevertheless each knight braced
himself for a greater battle than that which had gone before. For all
knew that now indeed the time had come when either one party or the
other must win that battle. So in that pause of battle Sir Launcelot and
Sir Lavaine each chose him a good strong new spear of ash wood, and each
drank a cup of lusty spiced wine for to refresh his strength.
And, ere they began to battle afresh, Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ector de
Maris and Sir Lionel upon the other side called together such kindred of
their blood as were upon that field: to wit, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir
Bleoberis and Sir Aliduke, Sir Galihadan, and Sir Bellanger--all these
knights being of Sir Launcelot's kin. These say to one another: "If we
do not overthrow yonder single knight who fights so wonderfully against
us we shall certes lose this battle. For never knight fought so unless
it was Sir Launcelot. For lo! he himself is the single bulwark against
us in this battle."
So it was that these kinsmen of Sir Launcelot ordained it that they
should join themselves together for to overthrow that knight by main
strength if need be.
[Sidenote: _His kinsmen take battle against Sir Launcelot._]
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is wounded._]
Then anon the battle was called again and anon each side hurled itself
against the other side, well knowing that at this time it must be else
to conquer or else to lose. And in that charge the kinsmen of Sir
Launcelot hurled themselves against that knight of the red sleeve and
against those who were by him. And Sir Bors and Sir Ector and Sir Lionel
drave three at once at Sir Launcelot and he drave against them--one
against three. But so heavy was the might of the assault of those three,
that they overthrew the horse of Sir Launcelot by the weight of their
three horses so that the horse of Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot
himself were cast down upon the earth beneath the feet of the horses of
those who charged against him. And in that charge the spear of Sir Bors
smote Sir Launcelot in the side, and the point of the spear burst
through the armor of Sir Launcelot and pierced deep into his side.
Therewith the head of the spear brake from the truncheon and remained
thrust deep into the side of Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot groaned
aloud, deeming that he had got his death wound.
So Sir Launcelot lay upon the ground and could not rise and he would
maybe have been beaten to death beneath the feet of the horses. But Sir
Lavaine beheld how it was with him, whereat he shouted aloud with a
great voice and he and all that party rushed to the aid of Sir
Launcelot. And Sir Lavaine smote down the King of Scots at one blow
from out of his saddle. And he turned the horse of the King of Scots to
where Sir Launcelot lay. And he stood above Sir Launcelot and defended
him against the assault of all those others who were around about, and
so, maugre their vehement assaults, he brought Sir Launcelot to horse
again.
Then Sir Launcelot was clean wode because of the passion of agony he
suffered from that grievous wound he had got. Wherefore he drew his
sword and he stood up in his stirrups and he smote right and left like a
madman. And he smote down one after the other Sir Lionel and Sir Bors de
Ganis, and he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet that he fell down to the
earth in a swoon as if he had been dead. And in that time Sir Lavaine
smote down Sir Bellanger, and two other knights of worship and renown.
Then Sir Launcelot turned him about and smote Sir Blamor down from off
his horse and with that Sir Ector made at him. But Sir Launcelot was
blind with his passion of battle and of pain, and he wist not who that
was who came against him. Wherefore he turned upon Sir Ector and he
smote him so dreadful terrible a buffet, that the head of Sir Ector hung
down low upon the neck of his horse. Then Sir Launcelot catched Sir
Ector and rushed off the helm from the head of Sir Ector with intent to
slay him, for at that time he was so mad that he wist not where he was
or what he did.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot spareth Sir Ector._]
Then he beheld the face of his brother Sir Ector, and he beheld that
face all white and wan from the blow he himself had struck, and he
beheld his brother's cheeks all white and streaked with blood, and
therewith his senses returned to him, and in that instant he wist where
he was and what he did. Thereupon he cried out in a great and terrible
voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe is me! what is it that I do!" And therewith he
rushed away from that place where Sir Ector was, and he rushed into the
thickest of the press, striking right and left like a madman in fury.
And it stands recorded that all in all in that battle Sir Launcelot
struck down thirty knights with his own hand, and that sixteen of those
thirty were knights of the Round Table. And it is recorded that Sir
Lavaine struck down fourteen knights and that six of those knights were
knights of the Round Table. And it was because of Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine that their party prevailed in that battle. For, because
beholding how they fought, their party took great heart and added
strength to strength and so drave their enemies back across the
meadow-of-battle until they were pushed back against the barriers of
their side of the meadow and so the battle was won.
And thus that was achieved that else had been lost had not Sir
Launcelot and Sir Lavaine lent their aid to that party with whom they
joined in battle against the party of King Arthur.
* * * * *
But Sir Launcelot sat wounded nigh to death. Yea, he deemed that the
sickness and the sweat of death was even then upon him, for an exceeding
faintness overclouded his spirit. To him where he sat came the King of
North Wales and the King of Northumberland and the King of an Hundred
Knights and these say to him: "Sir, may God bless you, for without your
aid, and that of your companion this day had certes been lost to us."
And then they said: "Now we pray you that you will come with us to King
Arthur so that you may receive at his hands the prize you have so
worshipfully deserved." Thus they spake very cheerfully, for not one of
those worthies knew that Sir Launcelot had been so sorely wounded in the
battle he had fought.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot would fain depart._]
Then Sir Launcelot spake in a very weak voice, so that it sounded like
to one speaking from a very great distance away. And he said: "Fair
lords, if I have won credit in this I have paid a fair price for it, for
I am sore hurt and wist not what to do. Now this I pray of you that you
will suffer me to depart from this place, for I am in great pain and
would fain go away from here to somewhere I may have aid and comforts."
Then those three kings would have had him go to a fair pavilion for to
have his wound searched and dressed, but ever he besought them to suffer
him to depart. So they suffered him, and he rode very slowly away from
that place, and Sir Lavaine rode with him.
* * * * *
So it was that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine did battle at that famous
tournament at Astolat as I have told you.
And now if you would know how it fared with Sir Launcelot after he rode
away from that place, wounded as aforesaid, you shall immediately hear
of it in that which followeth.
[Illustration: Sir Gawaine knoweth the shield of Sir Launcelot]
[Illustration]
Chapter Fifth
_How Sir Launcelot escaped wounded into the forest, and how Sir Gawaine
discovered to the court of King Pelles who was le Chevalier Malfait._
So Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine rode away from that field of battle.
And they rode together into the forest, and all that while Sir Launcelot
contained his suffering to himself so that Sir Lavaine wist not how
grievous was his wound nor how great was the passion of agony that he
then endured because of that hurt. But after they had ridden a mile or
two or three into the woodland, Sir Launcelot could no longer thus
contain himself, wherefore he let droop his head very low and he groaned
with great dolor. Then Sir Lavaine was aware that some grievous hurt
must have befallen Sir Launcelot. Wherefore he cried out: "Messire, I
fear me ye are sore hurt. Now tell me, I beseech you, how is it with
you?"
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot declareth his wound._]
Then Sir Launcelot groaned again and he said: "Woe is me! I suffer much
pain." And therewith he made to dismount from his horse and would have
fallen had not Sir Lavaine catched him and upheld him. After that Sir
Lavaine aided Sir Launcelot down from his horse, and Sir Launcelot
leaned against a tree of the forest, groaning as from the bottom of his
soul, and Sir Lavaine wist not what to do to help him. Then Sir
Launcelot turned his eyes, all faint and dim, upon Sir Lavaine, and he
said: "Oh, gentle knight, Sir Lavaine, for the mercy of God I beseech
you to pluck forth the blade of a spear that has pierced into my side,
for I suffer a great pang of torment."
Then Sir Lavaine was aware of what sort was that wound and he made haste
to strip off the body armor from Sir Launcelot. So, when that body armor
was thus removed, Sir Lavaine beheld a grievous wound where the blade of
the spear had pierced deep into the side of Sir Launcelot a little above
the midriff. And Sir Lavaine perceived that the blade of the spear was
yet in the wound and that the hurt was very deep. So beholding that
wound Sir Lavaine wept, and cried out: "Dear my Lord! Woe is me! I dare
not pull out that blade; for an I do so, I dread me sore that you will
die here in the forest ere aid can be brought to you and so it shall be
I who killed you."
"No matter," said Sir Launcelot, speaking very faint and with failing
breath. "Do as I bid you, for the point of that blade lieth near to my
heart and I suffer a great deal of pain from it."
[Sidenote: _Sir Lavaine draweth for the steel._]
Then Sir Lavaine laid hold of the shaft of the spear, and he strove to
draw forth the blade from out Sir Launcelot's side, yet he could not do
so. And thereupon Sir Launcelot cried aloud in a very piercing voice,
"Spare not! Spare not! but pull forth that steel!" So with that Sir
Lavaine plucked again with all his might and he drew the steel forth
from out of the wound. And as the blade came forth from out of the
flesh, Sir Launcelot cried out again in a voice very loud and shrill,
saying, "God! God! that this should be!" And with that a great issue of
blood gushed out of the wound like a crimson fountain and Sir Launcelot
sank down upon the ground in a swoon that was like the swoon of death.
Then Sir Lavaine believed that he had assuredly slain Sir Launcelot,
wherefore he wept aloud with a great passion of grief, smiting his hands
together and crying, "Woe is me! For I have slain my dear lord!"
Thereupon he kneeled down beside Sir Launcelot and fell to feeling his
heart. And he perceived that the heart still beat but very faintly, and
so he wist that Sir Launcelot was not dead but only in a deadly swoon.
So Sir Lavaine turned Sir Launcelot where that the wind blew upon him
and after a while Sir Launcelot opened his eyes again. Then with his
sight all swimming he beheld Sir Lavaine kneeling beside him weeping,
and he said, speaking in a voice very weak and faint, "Lavaine, am I yet
alive?" And Sir Lavaine said, "Yea, Lord." Sir Launcelot said, "Then
bear me away from this place." And Sir Lavaine said, "Whither shall I
take you?" Sir Launcelot said: "Listen, Friend, bear me away into the
forest to the westward of here. For after a while to the westward of
this place you shall find a forest path that runs across your way. And
you shall take that path toward the right hand and so you will come
after another while to the hut of an hermit of the forest. Bring me to
that holy man; for if any one can cure me of this hurt he alone can do
so." Sir Lavaine said: "Lord, how shall I take you such a journey as
that, so that you shall not die?" Sir Launcelot replied: "I know not how
you shall take me, but this I know: that if you take me not to that
place I shall certes die here before your eyes in this forest."
[Sidenote: _Sir Lavaine beareth Sir Launcelot thence._]
So Sir Lavaine, weeping, made a litter of straight young trees and he
laid his cloak upon the litter and he bound the litter to the horses.
Then he lifted Sir Launcelot and laid him upon the litter as though it
were a little child whom he laid there. Thereafter he took the foremost
horse by the bridle, and so, led away into the forest whither Sir
Launcelot had bidden him to go.
So in that wise they travelled in the forest for a great while and by
and by night descended and the full moon arose all white and shining
into the sky. And it rose ever higher and higher and it shone down upon
the forest woodlands so that here it was all bright and there it was all
agloom with shadow; and anon Sir Lavaine, as he led the horses in that
wise, would walk in that silver silent light and anon he would be lost
in those shadows. And all that while Sir Launcelot lay so still that
several times Sir Lavaine thought haply he was dead. Then he would say,
"Sir, art thou dead?" And ever Sir Launcelot would answer, "Not yet."
Thus they travelled for a great while in that still forest (all so
silent and wonderful) and beneath the clear pale moonlight that caused
everything to appear like to an enchantment of stillness. So, somewhat
after the middle watch of the night, Sir Lavaine beheld before him a
little chapel built up against the rocks of a cliff of stone and beneath
the black and umbrageous foliage of a large oak tree. And the moonlight
shone down past the oak tree and bathed all the front of that little
chapel with pure white silvery light, so still and silent that the
chapel appeared as in a strange and singular picture as it were seen in
a dream.
[Sidenote: _They come to the forest chapel._]
Thither Sir Lavaine led the horses bearing between them the wounded
knight, whose face, as white as the moon above, was turned upward
against the sky. And when Sir Lavaine had come to the door of the chapel
he smote upon it with the butt of his lance; and he smote again, and
therewith the door was opened and there appeared in the doorway the
figure of an aged man with a long white beard like to snow for
whiteness. And that man was the hermit of the forest afore spoken of
several times in these histories.
Then when that reverend hermit beheld where Sir Launcelot lay in the
litter, so sorely wounded, he came to him and felt of his heart. So,
perceiving him to be alive, he aided Sir Lavaine to lift the wounded man
from the litter and to bear him into the hut and to lay him upon a soft
and fragrant couch of leaves and moss.
At that time Sir Launcelot was in a deep swoon like as though he were
dead; yet he was not dead, for after the hermit had bathed his face with
strong wine, and after he had set pungent herbs to his nostrils, by and
by Sir Launcelot revived so as to sigh very deep and to open his eyes.
And Sir Launcelot said, "Where am I? Am I still alive?" The hermit said,
"Yea, Messire." Sir Launcelot said, "I wist that maybe I was dead."
Then the hermit searched Sir Launcelot's wound and bathed it and put
unguents upon it and bound it about with bandages of linen and so Sir
Launcelot was put at ease. And after that Sir Launcelot fell into a deep
sleep so still and profound that it was like to the slumber of a little
child.
* * * * *
Now whilst Sir Launcelot thus slept, Sir Lavaine and the hermit walked
in the moonlight upon a little lawn of grass before the door of the
hermitage. By and by the hermit said to Sir Lavaine: "Sir Knight, know
you who yonder knight is whom you brought hither to-night?" and Sir
Lavaine said, "Nay, I know not, save that he calleth himself le
Chevalier Malfait."
[Sidenote: _The hermit declareth Sir Launcelot's name._]
"Well," quoth the hermit, "God knows that all we who live upon His earth
may easily do ill in His sight; yet I dare to say that that yonder
knight hath done as little ill as any of us. Sir, you must know that he
is none other than Sir Launcelot of the Lake."
At this Sir Lavaine cried out aloud in great wonder, saying: "What is it
that you tell me! Lo! This knight hath dwelt at the court of my father,
King Pelles of Corbin, for more than a year yet no one there wist that
it was Sir Launcelot of the Lake whom we entertained in our midst."
"And yet," quoth the hermit, "that wounded man is none other than he."
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _King Arthur sits at feast._]
Now that same night whilst Sir Launcelot lay thus wounded in the
hermit's cell in the forest, a great feast was held at Astolat in the
presence of King Arthur. There were set fourteen tables in the great
hall of the castle of Astolat, and at those tables there sat down seven
hundred in all of the lords and knights and ladies of that land--kings,
earls, dukes, barons, knights, and esquires with their dames--fifty at
each table.
Then King Arthur looked all about but he beheld no sign of Sir
Launcelot, wherefore he said to the King of North Wales who sat nigh to
him: "Where is that worthy knight who was with you to-day--he who wore
about his helmet a flame-colored sleeve embroidered with fair pearls of
price?" To this the King of North Wales replied: "Lord, we know not
where that worshipful champion now is. For although we besought him to
come hither with us, and although we besought him to come to you so
that you might award unto him the prize of battle, yet he would not. For
he proclaimed himself to be wounded and craved our leave to withdraw
himself--wherefore we gave him that leave and he hied him away and we
know not whither he hath gone."
"Now I am right sorry for that," quoth King Arthur, "for I would rather
have that knight to feast with us than any one of all those who wear
spurs in this hall. And I am still more sorry to hear that so worshipful
a champion as that should have met with mishap in this battle of to-day.
Yet do I hope that wound which he suffered is not so sore but that he
will soon be well again."
"Lord," quoth the King of North Wales, "mefeareth that that noble
knight, whomsoever he may be, hath been very grievously hurt; for when
he spake to us his voice was passing weak and he appeared to suffer a
great deal of pain."
Then King Arthur was much grieved at what he heard and he said: "That is
sad news for me, for rather would I lose half of my kingdom than that
death should befall that noble champion." So said King Arthur, yet he
would not say who was that champion of the red sleeve, for he perceived
that Sir Launcelot would fain conceal his name, wherefore neither would
he betray it.
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine grieveth._]
Now King Pelles sat not far from King Arthur's high seat at the table,
and the Lady Elaine the Fair sat with him and several lords of their
court were there also. These heard what was said between King Arthur and
the King of North Wales, and when the Lady Elaine the Fair heard how
that her champion was so sorely wounded that he was like to die, it was
as though a sword of terror had been thrust into her bosom; for hearing
those words she turned all as white as ashes and sank back into her
chair as though she would swoon.
Seeing her thus, all white and stricken, King Pelles said, "Daughter,
what ails thee?" and she said: "My father, did you not hear how that the
Chevalier Malfait hath been sorely wounded and mayhap may be even now
lying nigh to death?" "Yea, I did hear that," said King Pelles, "but
such is the chance of battle that every good knight is called upon to
face." Then the Lady Elaine cried out: "Father! Father! I am sorely
afraid that great ill hath befallen that noble knight. Now I pray thee,
let us go hence." King Pelles said, "Whither shall we go?" She said:
"Haply, my brother, Sir Lavaine, will bring him to the castle of the
earl our kinsman, wherefore I pray you, sir, let us make haste thither
and see if that be so." And King Pelles said, "It shall be as you will
have it."
So King Pelles besought leave of King Arthur to quit that feast, and
King Arthur gave him leave and King Pelles withdrew with the Lady Elaine
and all of his court from that company.
Yet when they returned to the castle of the earl, Sir Launcelot was not
there, for, as hath been told, he lay at that time in the hermit's cell
in the forest with his soul hanging in the scales betwixt life and
death.
[Sidenote: _King Arthur speaketh to Sir Gawaine._]
But King Arthur ever bore in mind how it was Sir Launcelot had been
wounded, wherefore, when that feast was over, he took Sir Gawaine aside,
and he said to him: "Sir, I would that you would seek out that knight of
the red sleeve where he is and bring him aid and succor." Sir Gawaine
said: "Lord, I pray you tell me; know you who is that knight? Methinks
he should be Sir Launcelot of the Lake, for I know of no other than he
who could do so nobly in battle as that champion did to-day. And yet, he
cannot be Sir Launcelot, for you wist very well that Sir Launcelot would
not wear the favor of any lady in such a wise as he wore the sleeve
about his helm to-day. So I know not who that knight can be."
"Well," said King Arthur, "when you have succored him then you will know
who he is."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine departs in search of Sir Launcelot._]
So Sir Gawaine withdrew from the court to seek that wounded champion.
And he remembered him that the knight had called himself le Chevalier
Malfait and that his companion-in-arms was Sir Lavaine, the son of King
Pelles of Corbin. So Sir Gawaine went to where were a number of knights
who knew of King Pelles, and he asked of these and of several others:
"Know ye, Messires, where I shall find King Pelles of Corbin?" They say
to him, "King Pelles is lodging at such and such a place." So Sir
Gawaine took horse and rode forth to the castle of the earl with whom
King Pelles had taken up his lodging, and King Pelles and his court were
still at that place. Then Sir Gawaine made demand to have speech with
King Pelles and therewith he was brought before the King where he was.
And the Lady Elaine the Fair was with King Pelles at that time, and Sir
Gawaine, when he beheld her, was amazed at her beauty.
Then Sir Gawaine said to King Pelles: "Fair Lord, can you tell me where
I shall find that wounded knight who called himself le Chevalier
Malfait?" King Pelles said, "Alas! I know not where he is." Sir Gawaine
said, "Lord, I pray you tell me who he is and what is his name." To this
King Pelles made reply: "Messire, I know not who that knight is saving
only that he came to us somewhat more than a year ago and that he slew
the great Dragon of Corbin; and that he was sorely wounded in his
encounter with the Dragon. Since that he hath abided at our court but
never have we known him by any other name than le Chevalier Malfait."
Then Sir Gawaine said: "Now I pray you tell me who was the lady who gave
her sleeve as a favor unto that knight, for no doubt she may know who he
is."
Then the Lady Elaine said: "Messire, it was I who gave my sleeve to him,
yet neither do I know who he is nor whence he came."
Sir Gawaine said: "Have you naught that you may know him by?" Whereunto
the Lady Elaine made reply: "Sir, by leave of our cousin, the earl of
this castle, I purveyed armor in which le Chavalier Malfait might do
battle in this tournament. Now when he quitted us he confided his armor
and his shield to me that I might hold them in safe keeping for him
until his return hither. Perhaps you can tell from his shield who is
that worshipful knight."
Sir Gawaine said: "I prithee, fair lady, tell me what device was painted
upon the shield?" And the Lady Elaine said: "I know not what was that
device for the shield was all encased in leather laced upon it and
painted white so that no one might see the device which it beareth."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine knoweth Sir Launcelot's shield._]
Then Sir Gawaine said, "Let me see that shield." And thereupon the Lady
Elaine sent her attendants to fetch the shield and they brought it to
her where they were. Then Sir Gawaine unlaced the leather from the
shield and drew the shield forth from its case, and lo! the shield shone
all dazzling bright, like to the sun in his glory. And Sir Gawaine
beheld the device upon the shield that it was a knight kneeling to a
lady upon a field of silver, and by that he knew (and several others who
were there knew) that it was the shield of Sir Launcelot. Thereupon Sir
Gawaine turned him to the Lady Elaine the Fair and he said: "Lady, it is
no wonder that this knight who hath worn thy favor should have done so
well in battle yesterday. For wit ye that this is the shield of Sir
Launcelot of the Lake and wit ye that it is to none other than he to
whom you gave your sleeve. So I wish you much joy of that great honor
that hath come to you through him; for you are to know that never hath
it ever been heard tell of before this that Sir Launcelot hath worn the
favor of any lady when he hath gone to battle."
But as for the Lady Elaine, when she knew that it was Sir Launcelot of
the Lake to whom she had given her sleeve, she was filled full of a
great joy and also with a sort of terror. For she had much joy that she
should have been so wonderfully honored by that noble knight Sir
Launcelot of the Lake, and yet when she bethought herself how she had
set her regard upon him who regarded no lady in the light of love she
was filled with a sort of terror because she forecast that nothing but
sorrow could come to her who had placed her heart and all her happiness
in the keeping of this knight, who had no heart or happiness to bestow
upon any lady in return.
But King Pelles was unaware of what thoughts lay within the heart of his
daughter. His spirit was greatly uplifted with the thought that Sir
Launcelot should have been a knight of his court for so long a while and
he said: "Messire, this is a very wonderful thing that you tell us, for
who would have thought that he was Sir Launcelot who has been with us
all this time? Now I know not any glory that could come to us that
should be greater than that; to wit, to have had that noble, worthy, and
glorious champion for to serve as a knight of our court. For now,
because of him, this court hath become famous for all time, that
otherwise would not have been known very far or for a very long while."
"Lord," said Sir Gawaine, "I do indeed give you great joy of this honor
that you have had through him; for I must tell you that yours is the
only court in all the world in which Sir Launcelot has ever served as
champion, saving only in the Court of King Arthur. Wherefore this is a
very singular honor that hath been visited upon you."
So spake King Pelles and so spake Sir Gawaine; but all that while the
Lady Elaine the Fair sat in silence saying naught to any one for her
soul was so deeply disturbed with joy and pride that Sir Launcelot
should have been her champion, and with fear and anxiety upon behalf of
her knight--that she wist not very well what was being done or said by
any of those who sat around about her.
That night Sir Gawaine abided at the Court of Corbin, and there was a
great feast prepared for his entertainment and all honor and regard was
paid to him that was possible to pay any man, even were that man a king.
And at that feast Sir Gawaine sat at the right hand of King Pelles and
the Lady Elaine sat upon the left hand of the King. And Sir Gawaine and
the King talked a very great deal together, yet ever the Lady Elaine sat
wrapped in silence, very distraught, passing by her food without tasting
of it. For always her thoughts dwelt upon Sir Launcelot as aforesaid,
and ever her heart was filled with anxiety as to what had befallen him
and where he was, and how it fared with him and who was cherishing him
in his sickness and his pain. Yea, even, she wondered whether he was
living or whether he was dead. Wherefore it was she knew not what passed
about her, but sat silent with her spirit remote and afar off from all
those who made merry and laughed and talked and jested so nigh to her.
For the soul in such times of trouble and anxiety is oftentimes very
solitary and silent; ever wrapped in its own broody thoughts like to a
spirit wrapped in a cloud of darkness that shutteth out from its sight
all the bright world of gayety and rejoicing that lieth around about it.
And so it was with the Lady Elaine at this season.
* * * * *
Now, when the morning had come, Sir Gawaine departed from that place to
return to the King's court which was still at Astolat, there to bring
them news that it was Sir Launcelot who had fought in that battle and
that it was he who had been wounded.
[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere is angered._]
But when that news came to Queen Guinevere she was filled full of a
great passion of anger and of indignation against Sir Launcelot and
against the Lady Elaine. For it is to be remembered that Sir Launcelot
had vowed his vows of service unto Queen Guinevere, and she upon her
part had accepted those vows and acknowledged him as her
knight-champion. Wherefore it was that finding he had worn the favor of
another lady in that wise, she was filled with a most consuming passion
of anger. At first she would not believe that it was true that Sir
Launcelot had worn the sleeve, and when she was convinced that it was
true she withdrew herself from the sight of all, and went and locked
herself into her chamber--and how it was with her in that place no one
could tell.
[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere bespeaketh Sir Bors._]
Then, after a while, she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis, who was the nighest
of kin to Sir Launcelot of all those then at court. And the Queen said
to Sir Bors: "What is this your kinsman hath done, Messire? He hath
forsworn himself and is shamed of his knighthood in my sight and in the
sight of all. For who ever heard of any knight of worship who would
swear his faith to one lady and yet wear the favor of another? So I say
this knight is forsworn and is no true knight."
Quoth Sir Bors: "Lady, there is no man in all the world who would dare
to say to me that Sir Launcelot is shamed of his knighthood, but you may
say that because you are a lady. Now I pray you tell me why should not
Sir Launcelot wear the favor of so kind and so beautiful a lady as that
of the Lady Elaine, the King's daughter of Corbin? Such service cannot
injure you, who have always to your service so high and noble a knight
as King Arthur himself!"
So spake Sir Bors very sternly, and therewith Queen Guinevere's cheeks
flamed like fire and she stamped her foot upon the ground in wrath and
cried out in a very loud voice: "Do you dare to speak thus to me who am
your Queen? I say this unworthy knight is forsworn in that he sware his
faith to me, and that he came not to me to relieve him of that vow ere
he accepted the favor of another lady. Now I bid you go, find Sir
Launcelot and bring him straightway hither that he may answer me to my
face and that he may clear himself if he is able of that unknightly
faithlessness."
Then Sir Bors was filled with indignation against the Queen and at the
same time he was filled with great pity for her. For many things came
into his mind at that time, wherefore he did not choose to look into the
Queen's face, but only bowed low before her and said: "Lady, it shall be
as you command. I shall straightway go seek my kinsman and will bring
your commands to him that he shall come and present himself before you."
[Sidenote: _Sir Bors departeth in search of Sir Launcelot._]
So forthwith Sir Bors departed from the court to seek Sir Launcelot. But
after he had left her the Queen went into her privy closet and fast
locked herself in. And she wept amain; and as she wept she communed in
solitude with her soul, saying: "My soul! My soul! Is it anger thou
feelest or is it aught else than anger?"
[Illustration: Sir Launcelot leapeth from the window:]
[Illustration]
Chapter Sixth
_How the Lady Elaine went to seek Sir Launcelot and how Sir Launcelot
afterwards returned to the court of King Arthur._
Now ever the Lady Elaine the Fair, as aforesaid, took great grief beyond
all measure concerning the fate of Sir Launcelot. For he lay wounded she
knew not where and she knew not whether he were healing or dying. So
upon a day she came to her father, King Pelles, where he was, and she
had been weeping a great deal--yea, even whilst she spoke to her father
she began weeping afresh. So, still weeping, she said: "Sire, I pray
thee let me go and seek for this noble champion, Sir Launcelot of the
Lake, where he lieth wounded, for mefeareth he hath been so grievously
hurt that he may even now be upon the edge of death."
Then King Pelles said: "My daughter, what is this thou wouldst do?
Wouldst thou, a young damsel, go thyself errant in search of this
wounded knight?" and the Lady Elaine said, "Yea." The King, her father
said, "This may not be." Then the Lady Elaine wept all the more and with
such passion that it was as though her heart would break. And therewith
she kneeled down before her father and cried most vehemently: "Sire, let
me go! Else I believe I shall become distracted with my fears lest he be
dying of his wounds."
Then King Pelles was very sorry for the Lady Elaine and he lifted her up
and embraced her in his arms and kissed her upon the face. And King
Pelles sought to comfort her, wiping away the tears from her face. And
he said, "My daughter, weep not so." She said, "Lord, I cannot help it."
Then he said: "My daughter, weep no more, for it shall be as thou
wouldst have it. Go now in God's name upon this quest, if so be it will
ease thy heart to do so, and I will send safe escort with thee."
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine departeth in search of Sir Launcelot._]
So it was that the Lady Elaine the Fair went upon that quest in search
of Sir Launcelot, and her father purveyed for her such an escort as he
had said. For he sent with her a company of seven worthy and noble
knights with their esquires and attendants; and seven damsels of her
court also went with her. These betook their way to Astolat, for it
seemed to the Lady Elaine that there they might best hope to have news
of the wounded knight. And when they had come to Astolat she took up her
inn at that place, and sent forth several to make diligent inquiry if
any news might be heard of the wounded knight.
So those whom she sent made inquiry upon all sides, and upon a certain
day, they found a woodchopper who had come out of the forest with a cart
load of wooden fagots. This woodman brought news of Sir Launcelot and of
Sir Lavaine; for he declared that he had seen them when they had entered
the forest after the tournament. So her agents brought the woodchopper
to where the Lady Elaine was, and she said to him, "What knowest thou,
good fellow?"
[Sidenote: _The woodman telleth of Sir Launcelot._]
To this the woodman made reply: "Lady, I will tell you all. One day
whiles I was in the forest I heard the sound of voices talking together,
and greatly wondering what those voices were, I made my way privily to
that place where I heard them speaking. There I beheld a half-armed
knight who lay upon the ground all bathed in his own blood, and another
knight, armed at all points, stood beside this knight, and the hands of
the second knight were all red with blood. So methought that the armed
knight had haply slain his fellow there in the woodlands in foul wise,
for so it appeared to be. So whilst I stood there I heard that knight
who lay on the ground complaining very grievously that he was hurt nigh
to death, and I heard him entreat that knight who was armed that he
should bear him to the westward and so by a forest path to the cabin of
a certain hermit that dwelleth in those parts. Therewith I went away
from that place as privily as I had come thither, for methought that
maybe some ill deed had been done at that place and that so I should be
punished if I meddled in it; wherefore I went away and left those two
knights in that wise."
Then the Lady Elaine the Fair asked that woodman if one of those horses
was white and the other piebald and he said: "Yea, as white as milk and
piebald with white and black." And the Lady said, "Then that must be
they."
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine cometh to the forest chapel._]
So that same day she and her company made them ready and they rode away
from Astolat and so came into the forest toward the westward. And after
a while they came to a path that went across the way and they took that
path to the right hand. So they travelled that path for a great while,
and by and by they beheld before them the hut of the hermit where it was
all built up against a great rock of the forest and overshadowed by the
thick foliage of the aged oak tree that grew above it. Then as they
drew near they heard the neighing of horses and they wist that they must
be the horses of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Lavaine.
Then, as the horses neighed in that wise, and as the horses of the Lady
Elaine's party answered their neighing, there came one and opened the
door of the hut and stood gazing at the Lady Elaine and her party as
they drew near, shading his eyes from the slanting sun. And the Lady
Elaine beheld who it was who stood there and she knew that it was Sir
Lavaine, wherefore she cried out in a loud and piercing voice, "My
brother! My brother!" Then Sir Lavaine, when he heard her, cried out
upon his part as in great amazement, "My sister, is it thou?" and
therewith he ran to her and he took her hand and she stooped from her
horse and kissed his lips.
Then she said to Sir Lavaine, "How is it with him, doth he live?"
Whereunto Sir Lavaine said, "Yea, he liveth and will live, albeit he is
weak like to a little child." She said, "Where is he?" And Sir Lavaine
said, "Come and you shall see."
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine beholdeth Sir Launcelot._]
So he lifted the Lady Elaine down from her horse and he took her by the
hand and led her into the hut of the hermit and there she beheld Sir
Launcelot where he lay upon a pallet and lo! his face was white like to
white wax and his eyes were closed as though in slumber and it seemed to
the Lady Elaine that he rather resembled a white and sleeping spirit
than a living man.
So the Lady Elaine went silently forward to where Sir Launcelot lay and
she kneeled down beside the pallet and the tears ran down her face like
to sparks of fire. Therewith Sir Launcelot opened his eyes and he beheld
her who she was and he smiled upon her. And Sir Launcelot said, "Is it
thou?" She said: "Yea, Messire." He said, "Whence cometh thou?" She
said, "I come from my father's house." He said, "And have you come
hitherward from thence only for to find me?" whereunto she said, "Yea."
Sir Launcelot said, "Why have you taken so great trouble as that upon my
account?" And at that she bowed her head low and said, "Certes, thou
knowest why." And this she spake not above a whisper, and so that I
believe they two alone heard her words.
Then Sir Launcelot said no more but lay gazing upon her albeit he could
see naught but her head, for her face was hidden from him. So after a
while he sighed very deep and said: "Lady, God knows I am no happy man.
For even though I may see happiness within my reach yet I cannot reach
out my hand to take it. For my faith lieth pledged in the keeping of one
with whom I have placed it and that one can never be aught to me but
what she now is. And it is my unhappy lot that whether it be wrong or
whether it be right I would not have it otherwise, and so my faith
remaineth pledged as aforesaid."
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and the Lady Elaine commune together._]
Now the Lady Elaine wist what Sir Launcelot meant and that he spoke of
the Lady Queen Guinevere unto whom he had vowed his faith of knighthood.
And Elaine wept and she said, "Alas, Launcelot, I have great pity both
for thee and for me." And at that Sir Launcelot sighed again as from the
bottom of his heart and said, "Yea, it is great pity."
Then after a while the Lady Elaine came out from where Sir Launcelot
lay, and she gave command that they should abide at that place until the
wounded knight was healed of his hurt. So the Lady Elaine established
her court there in the forest nigh to where Sir Launcelot lay. And they
set up pavilions around about that place so that all that erstwhile
lonely and silent woodland was presently gay with bright colors and
cheerful with the sound of many voices.
And methinks that these days, whilst the Lady Elaine dwelt there in the
forest nigh to the chapel of the good old hermit of the forest, and
whilst she abided ever close to Sir Launcelot in that time of his
grievous sickness, were the happiest days of all her life unto that
time. For it was as though Sir Launcelot were all her own and as though
there was none in the world but they two. For ever she was nigh to him
and cherished him in all ways, the whiles the voices of those others who
were there sounded remote and afar off as though they were of a
different world than hers.
So ever the Lady Elaine drank deep draughts of love and joy, and thought
not of the morrow, but only of the day and of the joys that the day set
to the lips of her soul, as it were, in a bright, shining chalice of
pure gold.
For so it is, oftentimes, that the soul drinketh deep from that chalice
and reckoneth not that at the bottom of the cup there lyeth the dregs of
sorrow or of despair that must by and by likewise be quaffed, and which,
when drunk, must turn all the life thereafter to bitterness, as though
those dregs were compounded of the gall and of the wormwood of death.
[Sidenote: _They return to Corbin._]
Thus the Lady Elaine the Fair abided with her court there in the forest
for nigh a month and by the end of that time Sir Launcelot was healed of
his infirmities, though like to a little child for weakness. And after
he was healed she then had a fair litter prepared with several soft
cushions of down. And she had that litter hung with hangings of
flame-colored satin; and she had them lay Sir Launcelot therein and so
they bore him thence. Thus they bore him in that litter by easy stages
until they had brought him to Corbin and there he was received with
great rejoicing and high honor.
* * * * *
Now it hath been told how that Queen Guinevere bade Sir Bors for to go
seek Sir Launcelot and to bear him a command for to return to the court
of the King. So Sir Bors did as the Queen bade him, but he did not find
Sir Launcelot until after he had been brought back to Corbin as
aforetold of.
[Sidenote: _Sir Bors cometh to Corbin._]
Thereafter it happened that one day Sir Bors had news that Sir Launcelot
was lying at the court of King Pelles. So he went thither and there he
beheld Sir Launcelot who was then wellnigh entirely recovered from his
wound.
But when Sir Launcelot beheld Sir Bors, such joy seized upon him that it
was as though his heart would break, wherefore he ran to Sir Bors and he
catched him in his arms, and embraced him with great passion and kissed
him many times upon the face.
And they of the court of King Pelles were very glad that so famous a
knight had come thither, wherefore they paid him great honor.
Only the Lady Elaine was troubled in spirit, for she wist that now Sir
Bors was come Sir Launcelot would not stay with them for long, but that
he would in a little while desire to return again to the court of King
Arthur.
[Sidenote: _Sir Bors speaketh to Sir Launcelot._]
And so she had reason for her fears, for the next day after he had
arrived at Corbin, Sir Bors took Sir Launcelot aside and he said to him,
"Sir Knight, I am a messenger." Sir Launcelot said, "What message have
you, and from whom?" Sir Bors said: "I bear a message from Queen
Guinevere and it is that you return immediately to the court of King
Arthur and that you present yourself to her and pay your duty to her as
of old."
Then after Sir Bors had thus spoken, Sir Launcelot turned him away and
stood at a window with his back to Sir Bors. And then after a
considerable while he said, "Sir, do you not know that my duty lieth
here?" Sir Bors said: "That I believe full well. Nor can I find fault
with you if you remain here in spite of the message I bring you. That
which I am here for is not to command you to come to Camelot, but only
to give you the commands of another."
Then Sir Launcelot said: "Would you return to Camelot if you were me and
I were you?" Sir Bors said, "That I cannot tell." Then after another
while Sir Launcelot cried out: "Nay, I will not go; for though my heart
lieth there and not here, yet I hold the happiness of another in my hand
and I cannot cast it away."
"Then," quoth Sir Bors, "I will return and tell them at the court of the
King that your honor binds you here." And Sir Launcelot said, "Do so."
And then he said, "There is but one favor I beseech of you, Messire."
Sir Bors said, "What is that?" Sir Launcelot said: "It is this: I pray
you of your courtesy that you will depart immediately from this place,
for the sight of you bringeth to me such great desire to behold my
kinsmen and my friends once more that I believe that I shall not be able
to contain myself because of that desire if you remain here any longer."
And Sir Bors said, "I will go within the hour."
So that very hour Sir Bors betook himself away from Corbin and returned
to the court of King Arthur, and when he had come there he delivered his
message to the Queen and thereat she was like one whose heart had been
broken. For when she received that news from Sir Launcelot she withdrew
into her bower and no one saw her for a long time thereafter.
Now after Sir Bors had departed from Corbin in that wise, Sir Launcelot
was very heavy and sad, and though several days went by, yet was he not
less sad at the end of that time, but still walked like one in a dream
with his thoughts a great way off.
[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine biddeth Sir Launcelot to return._]
And all this the Lady Elaine observed and her spirit was troubled
because of the sadness of Sir Launcelot. So one day she sent for Sir
Launcelot to come to her bower and when Sir Launcelot had come thither
she said to him, "Launcelot, I know what is in thy heart." Sir Launcelot
said, "What is there in my heart?" She said, "It is in thy heart that
thou wouldst fain return to the court of King Arthur." "Lady," said Sir
Launcelot, "it matters not what may be my inclination at this present,
for above all those inclinations it is my will that I remain at this
place."
Then Elaine looked very steadfastly at him and she smiled, but there was
as it were despair in her face even though she smiled. And after a
little she said: "Not so, Messire, for I cannot bear to see you dwell
with us thus in sadness. Wherefore, this command I lay upon you that you
leave this court and that you return to the court of King Arthur, which
same is the place where you do rightly belong."
Then Sir Launcelot turned away from her, for he wist that there was joy
in his face at the thought of returning to his kinsmen and his friends
once more, and he would not have her see that joy. Then after a while,
and with his back turned, he said, speaking as with a smothered voice:
"Lady, if that be your command I must needs obey, but if I do obey you
it shall be only to go for a little while and then to return after that
while." So for a little no more was said, but the Lady Elaine ever gazed
upon Sir Launcelot where he stood with his back to her, and after a
while she said, "Ah, Launcelot! Launcelot!" Upon that Sir Launcelot
turned him about and cried out, "Elaine, bid me stay and I will stay!"
But she said, "Nay, I bid thee not, I bid thee go."
Then Sir Launcelot went from that place with his head bowed down upon
his bosom, and after he had gone she wept in great measure, for it was
as though she had cut off her hope of happiness with her own hand, as
though it had been a part of her body.
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot returneth to court._]
So the next day Sir Launcelot took horse and departed from Corbin,
betaking his way toward Camelot, where was the court of King Arthur, and
though he thought a very great deal of the Lady Elaine, yet he could not
but look forward with joy in coming back again to the court of the King
and of beholding the Queen and his knights companions once more.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot cometh to the Queen._]
Now when Sir Launcelot reached Camelot the news of his coming spread
like fire throughout the entire place and everywhere was heard the noise
of loud rejoicing and acclaim. But Sir Launcelot spake to nobody but
came straight to where Queen Guinevere was and he stood before the Queen
and his face was very gloomy and he said to her, "Lady, here am I."
Then Queen Guinevere gazed at him with great coldness and she said to
him, "Sir Knight, what brings thee hither?" Sir Launcelot said: "Lady,
it is thy command that brings me. For alas! I find it to be thus with me
that thy word hath power to bring me to thee whether it be from glory or
from happiness or from peace or from prosperity. Yea; all these things
would I sacrifice at thy behest."
Then Queen Guinevere gazed upon Sir Launcelot for a long while and her
soul was tossed and troubled with a great ferment of passion, and yet
she wist not whether that passion was of indignation or of grief or of
anger or of something else that was not like any of these. And first her
face had been very white when he stood before her, and anon it flamed
red like to fire, and she said: "Sir Knight, one time I sent my word to
thee by a messenger and thou heeded him not. Now it matters not that
thou comest, for thy coming and thy going are henceforth of no moment to
me."
Then Sir Launcelot's heart was filled to bursting with bitterness and
despair, and he cried out aloud: "Lady, thou beholdest me a miserable
man. For I have left all my duty and all my service and all my hope of
peace and happiness and have come to thee. Hast thou not then some word
of kindness for me?"
But the Queen only hardened her heart and would not answer.
Then Sir Launcelot cried out in great despair: "Alas! what is there then
left for me? Lo! I have cast away from me all my hope of peace and now
even thy friendship is withdrawn from me. Nothing then is left to me and
my life is dead."
[Sidenote: _The Queen is angry._]
Then Queen Guinevere's eyes flashed like fire, and she cried out: "Sir
Knight, you speak I know not what. Now I bid you tell me this--is it
true that you wore as a favor the sleeve of the Lady Elaine the Fair at
the tournament of Astolat?"
Sir Launcelot said, "Yes, it is true."
Then the Lady Queen Guinevere laughed with flaming cheeks and she said:
"Well, Sir Knight I see that you are not very well learned in knighthood
not to know that it is both unknightly and dishonorable for a knight to
sware faith to one lady and to wear the favor of another. Yet what else
than that may be expected of one who knoweth so little of the duties and
of the obligations of knighthood that he will ride errant in a hangman's
cart?"
So spake Queen Guinevere in haste not knowing what she said, her words
being driven onwards by her passion as feathers are blown by a tempest
over which they have no control. But when she had spoken those words she
was terrified at what she had said and would have recalled them. But she
could not do that, for who can recall the spoken word after it is
uttered? Wherefore, after she had spoken those words she could do
nothing but gaze into Sir Launcelot's face in a sort of terror. And as
she thus gazed she beheld that his face became red and redder until it
became all empurpled as though the veins of his head would burst. And
she beheld that his eyes started as though from his head and that they
became shot with blood. And she beheld that he clutched at his throat as
though he were choking. And he strove to speak but at first he could not
and then he cried out in a harsh and choking voice, "Say you so!" and
then again in the same voice he cried, "Say you so!"
[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot leapeth from the window._]
Therewith he turned, staggering like a drunken man. And there was a tall
window open behind him, and straightway he leaped out of that window
into the courtyard beneath, where he fell with a loud and dreadful
crash.
But yet it was as though he had not fallen for he immediately leaped up
to his feet and ran away all bruised and bloody from that place like one
gone wode.
Then Queen Guinevere shrieked aloud with a great passion of terror and
remorse. And she cried out she knew not what and smote her hands very
violently together. Thereat several came running to her and to them she
cried out in a voice of vehement passion: "Go you, run with might and
main and fetch Sir Launcelot hither to me again!"
So those ran with all despatch but they could not find Sir Launcelot.
For immediately after leaving the Queen as aforesaid, he had leaped upon
his horse and had thundered away with all speed, and no one knew whither
he had betaken himself.
[Sidenote: _Sir Bors is indignant._]
Now the word of all this was talked about the court of the King almost
as soon as it had happened, for all the court was loud with the noise of
it. Thereat, when the kinsmen of Sir Launcelot had heard what had
passed, they were filled with great indignation at the manner in which
he had been treated; and most of all Sir Bors was indignant, for he said
to himself: "Lo! this Lady first sends me to seek my kinsman and to
bring him to her and when he cometh at her bidding then she treats him
with contumely altogether unworthy for a knight to endure. What then
must Sir Launcelot think of me who was her foolish messenger to fetch
him hither?"
[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere bespeaketh the kinsmen of Sir Launcelot._]
But Queen Guinevere, not knowing of the indignation of the kinsmen of
Sir Launcelot, sent for three of them to come to her, and these three
were Sir Ector and Sir Lionel and Sir Bors de Ganis. When these three
had come to her they found her weeping and when they stood before her
she said, "Messires, I have done amiss." To this they said nothing lest
from anger they should say too much. Yet the Queen beheld their anger,
wherefore she dried her tears and spake with pride, saying: "Messires, I
ask you not to forgive me who am your Queen, but I would fain ask Sir
Launcelot to forgive me and I know that out of his gentleness he will do
so. Now as your Queen and sovereign I lay this command upon you, that
you straightway go in quest of Sir Launcelot and that you find him and
that you bring him hither to me so that I may beseech his forgiveness
for all that I have said amiss to him."
So spake Queen Guinevere, and those knights who were there, though they
were very angry with her yet they could not but obey the command which
she laid upon them.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Of the Quest of Sir Launcelot._]
So began the Quest of Sir Launcelot concerning which a very great deal
hath been both written and said. For upon that quest there went forth
those three knights as aforesaid, to wit; Sir Ector, Sir Lionel, and
Sir Bors de Ganis, and after that there went forth Sir Gawaine and Sir
Ewaine and Sir Sagramore the Desirous and Sir Agravaine and Sir Percival
of Gales.
All these undertook the Quest of Sir Launcelot and in that quest several
adventures happened to them. Yet of all those adventures little of
anything shall here be said saving only that which shall concern those
adventures that befell Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival and Sir Gawaine; of
which more anon.
* * * * *
And now there followeth the story of the Madness of Sir Launcelot, and
of how he returned in a very strange manner to the Lady Elaine the
Fair--and of how she was made happy by that return.
[Illustration]