CHAPTER XIII

_Sir Lancelot and the Fair Maid of Astolat_

Now after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled and all the knights who

were left alive were come again to the Round Table, there was great joy in

the court. And passing glad were King Arthur and Queen Guinevere to see

Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors, for they had been long absent in that quest.

And so greatly was Sir Lancelot's fame now spread abroad that many ladies

and damsels daily resorted to him and besought him for their champion; and

all right quarrels did he gladly undertake for the pleasure of our Lord

Christ. And always as much as he might he withdrew him from the queen.

Wherefore Queen Guinevere, who counted him for her own knight, grew wroth

with him, and on a certain day she called him to her chamber, and said

thus: "Sir Lancelot, I daily see thy loyalty to me doth slack, for ever

thou art absent from this court, and takest other ladies' quarrels on thee

more than ever thou wert wont. Now do I understand thee, false knight, and

therefore shall I never trust thee more. Depart now from my sight, and

come no more within this court upon pain of thy head." With that she

turned from him and would hear no excuses.

So Sir Lancelot departed in heaviness of heart, and calling Sir Bors, Sir

Ector, and Sir Lionel, he told them how the queen had dealt with him.

"Fair sir," replied Sir Bors, "remember what honour ye have in this

country, and how ye are called the noblest knight in the world; wherefore

go not, for women are hasty, and do often what they sore repent of

afterwards. Be ruled by my advice. Take horse and ride to the hermitage

beside Windsor, and there abide till I send ye better tidings."

To that Sir Lancelot consented, and departed with a sorrowful countenance.

Now when the queen heard of his leaving she was inwardly sorry, but made

no show of grief, bearing a proud visage outwardly. And on a certain day

she made a costly banquet to all the knights of the Round Table, to show

she had as great joy in all others as in Sir Lancelot. And at the banquet

were Sir Gawain, and his brothers Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir

Gareth; also Sir Modred, Sir Bors, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Ector,

Sir Lionel, Sir Palomedes, Sir Mador de la Port, and his cousin Sir

Patrice--a knight of Ireland, Sir Pinell le Savage, and many more.

Now Sir Pinell hated Sir Gawain because he had slain one of his kinsmen by

treason; and Sir Gawain had a great love for all kinds of fruit, which,

when Sir Pinell knew, he poisoned certain apples that were set upon the

table, with intent to slay him. And so it chanced as they ate and made

merry, Sir Patrice, who sat next to Sir Gawain, took one of the poisoned

apples and eat it, and when he had eaten he suddenly swelled up and fell

down dead.

At that every knight leapt from the board ashamed and enraged nigh out of

their wits, for they knew not what to say, yet seeing that the queen had

made the banquet they all had suspicion of her.

"My lady the queen," said Sir Gawain, "I wit well this fruit was meant for

me, for all men know my love for it, and now had I been nearly slain;

wherefore, I fear me, ye will be ashamed."

"This shall not end so," cried Sir Mador de la Port; "now have I lost a

noble knight of my own blood, and for this despite and shame I will be

revenged to the uttermost."

Then he challenged Queen Guinevere concerning the death of his cousin, but

she stood still, sore abashed, and anon with her sorrow and dread, she

swooned.

At the noise and sudden cry came in King Arthur, and to him appealed Sir

Mador, and impeached the queen.

"Fair lords," said he, "full sorely am I troubled at this matter, for I

must be rightful judge, and therein it repenteth me I may not do battle

for my wife, for, as I deem, this deed was none of hers. But I suppose she

will not lack a champion, and some good knight surely will put his body in

jeopardy to save her."

But all who had been bidden to the banquet said they could not hold the

queen excused, or be her champions, for she had made the feast, and either

by herself or servants must it have come.

"Alas!" said the queen, "I made this dinner for a good intent, and no

evil, so God help me in my need."

"My lord the king," said Sir Mador, "I require you heartily as you be a

righteous king give me a day when I may have justice."

"Well," said the king, "I give ye this day fifteen days, when ye shall be

ready and armed in the meadow beside Westminster, and if there be a

knight to fight with you, God speed the right, and if not, then must my

queen be burnt."

When the king and queen were alone together he asked her how this case

befell.

"I wot not how or in what manner," answered she.

"Where is Sir Lancelot?" said King Arthur, "for he would not grudge to do

battle for thee."

"Sir," said she, "I cannot tell you, but all his kinsmen deem he is not in

this realm."

"These be sad tidings," said the king; "I counsel ye to find Sir Bors, and

pray him for Sir Lancelot's sake to do this battle for you."

So the queen departed and sent for Sir Bors to her chamber, and besought

his succour.

"Madam," said he, "what would you have me do? for I may not with my honour

take this matter on me, for I was at that same dinner, and all the other

knights would have me ever in suspicion. Now do ye miss Sir Lancelot, for

he would not have failed you in right nor yet in wrong, as ye have often

proved, but now ye have driven him from the country."

"Alas! fair knight," said the queen, "I put me wholly at your mercy, and

all that is done amiss I will amend as ye will counsel me."

And therewith she kneeled down upon both her knees before Sir Bors, and

besought him to have mercy on her.

Anon came in King Arthur also, and prayed him of his courtesy to help her,

saying, "I require you for the love of Lancelot."

"My lord," said he, "ye require the greatest thing of me that any man can

ask, for if I do this battle for the queen I shall anger all my fellows of

the Table Round; nevertheless, for my lord Sir Lancelot's sake, and for

yours, I will that day be the queen's champion, unless there chance to

come a better knight than I am to do battle for her." And this he promised

on his faith.

Then were the king and queen passing glad, and thanked him heartily, and

so departed.

But Sir Bors rode in secret to the hermitage where Sir Lancelot was, and

told him all these tidings.

"It has chanced as I would have it," said Sir Lancelot; "yet make ye ready

for the battle, but tarry till ye see me come."

"Sir," said Sir Bors, "doubt not but ye shall have your will."

But many of the knights were greatly wroth with him when they heard he was

to be the queen's champion, for there were few in the court but deemed her

guilty.

Then said Sir Bors, "Wit ye well, fair lords, it were a shame to us all to

suffer so fair and noble a lady to be burnt for lack of a champion, for

ever hath she proved herself a lover of good knights; wherefore I doubt

not she is guiltless of this treason."

At that were some well pleased, but others rested passing wroth.

And when the day was come, the king and queen and all the knights went to

the meadow beside Westminster, where the battle should be fought. Then the

queen was put in ward, and a great fire was made round the iron stake,

where she must be burnt if Sir Mador won the day.

So when the heralds blew, Sir Mador rode forth, and took oath that Queen

Guinevere was guilty of Sir Patrice's death, and his oath he would prove

with his body against any who would say the contrary. Then came forth Sir

Bors, and said, "Queen Guinevere is in the right, and that will I prove

with my hands."

With that they both departed to their tents to make ready for the battle.

But Sir Bors tarried long, hoping Sir Lancelot would come, till Sir Mador

cried out to King Arthur, "Bid thy champion come forth, unless he dare

not." Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse and rode to the end of

the lists.

But ere he could meet Sir Mador he was ware of a knight upon a white

horse, armed at all points, and with a strange shield, who rode to him and

said, "I pray you withdraw from this quarrel, for it is mine, and I have

ridden far to fight in it."

Thereat Sir Bors rode to King Arthur, and told him that another knight was

come who would do battle for the queen.

"Who is he?" said King Arthur.

"I may not tell you," said Sir Bors; "but he made a covenant with me to be

here to-day, wherefore I am discharged."

Then the king called that knight, and asked him if he would fight for the

queen.

"Therefore came I hither, Sir king," answered he; "but let us tarry no

longer, for anon I have other matters to do. But wit ye well," said he to

the Knights of the Round Table, "it is shame to ye for such a courteous

queen to suffer this dishonour."

And all men marvelled who this knight might be, for none knew him save Sir

Bors.

Then Sir Mador and the knight rode to either end of the lists, and

couching their spears, ran one against the other with all their might; and

Sir Mador's spear broke short, but the strange knight bore both him and

his horse down to the ground. Then lightly they leaped from their saddles

and drew their swords, and so came eagerly to the battle, and either gave

the other many sad strokes and sore and deep wounds.

Thus they fought nigh an hour, for Sir Mador was a full strong and valiant

knight. But at last the strange knight smote him to the earth, and gave

him such a buffet on the helm as wellnigh killed him. Then did Sir Mador

yield, and prayed his life.

[Illustration: At last the strange knight smote him to the earth, and gave

him such a buffet on the helm as well-nigh killed him. ]

"I will but grant it thee," said the strange knight, "if thou wilt release

the queen from this quarrel for ever, and promise that no mention shall be

made upon Sir Patrice's tomb that ever she consented to that treason."

"All this shall be done," said Sir Mador.

Then the knights parters took up Sir Mador and led him to his tent, and

the other knight went straight to the stair foot of King Arthur's throne;

and by that time was the queen come to the king again, and kissed him

lovingly.

Then both the king and she stooped down, and thanked the knight, and

prayed him to put off his helm and rest him, and to take a cup of wine.

And when he put his helmet off to drink, all people saw it was Sir

Lancelot. But when the queen beheld him she sank almost to the ground

weeping for sorrow and for joy, that he had done her such great goodness

when she had showed him such unkindness.

Then the knights of his blood gathered round him, and there was great joy

and mirth in the court. And Sir Mador and Sir Lancelot were soon healed of

their wounds; and not long after came the Lady of the Lake to the court,

and told all there by her enchantments how Sir Pinell, and not the queen,

was guilty of Sir Patrice's death. Whereat the queen was held excused of

all men, and Sir Pinell fled the country.

So Sir Patrice was buried in the church of Winchester, and it was written

on his tomb that Sir Pinell slew him with a poisoned apple, in error for

Sir Gawain. Then, through Sir Lancelot's favour, the queen was reconciled

to Sir Mador, and all was forgiven.

Now fifteen days before the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, the king

proclaimed a tourney to be held that feast-day at Camelot, whereat himself

and the King of Scotland would joust with all who should come against

them. So thither went the King of North Wales, and King Anguish of

Ireland, and Sir Galahaut the noble prince, and many other nobles of

divers countries.

And King Arthur made ready to go, and would have had the queen go with

him, but she said that she was sick. Sir Lancelot, also, made excuses,

saying he was not yet whole of his wounds.

At that the king was passing heavy and grieved, and so departed alone

towards Camelot. And by the way he lodged in a town called Astolat, and

lay that night in the castle.

As soon as he had gone, Sir Lancelot said to the queen, "This night I will

rest, and to-morrow betimes will I take my way to Camelot; for at these

jousts I will be against the king and his fellowship."

"Ye may do as ye list," said Queen Guinevere; "but by my counsel ye will

not be against the king, for in his company are many hardy knights, as ye

well know."

"Madam," said Sir Lancelot, "I pray ye be not displeased with me, for I

will take the adventure that God may send me."

And on the morrow he went to the church and heard mass, and took his leave

of the queen, and so departed.

Then he rode long till he came to Astolat, and there lodged at the castle

of an old baron called Sir Bernard of Astolat, which was near the castle

where King Arthur lodged. And as Sir Lancelot entered the king espied him,

and knew him. Then said he to the knights, "I have just seen a knight who

will fight full well at the joust toward which we go."

"Who is it?" asked they.

"As yet ye shall not know," he answered smiling.

When Sir Lancelot was in his chamber unarming, the old baron came to him

saluting him, though as yet he knew not who he was.

Now Sir Bernard had a daughter passing beautiful, called the Fair Maid of

Astolat, and when she saw Sir Lancelot she loved him from that instant

with her whole heart, and could not stay from gazing on him.

On the morrow, Sir Lancelot asked the old baron to lend him a strange

shield. "For," said he, "I would be unknown."

"Sir," said his host, "ye shall have your desire, for here is the shield

of my eldest son, Sir Torre, who was hurt the day he was made knight, so

that he cannot ride; and his shield, therefore, is not known. And, if it

please you, my youngest son, Sir Lavaine, shall ride with you to the

jousts, for he is of his age full strong and mighty; and I deem ye be a

noble knight, wherefore I pray ye tell me your name."

"As to that," said Sir Lancelot, "ye must hold me excused at this time,

but if I speed well at the jousts, I will come again and tell you; but in

anywise let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me, and lend me his

brother's shield."

Then, ere they departed, came Elaine, the baron's daughter, and said to

Sir Lancelot, "I pray thee, gentle knight, to wear my token at to-morrow's

tourney."

"If I should grant you that, fair damsel," said he, "ye might say that I

did more for you than ever I have done for lady or damsel."

Then he bethought him that if he granted her request he would be the more

disguised, for never before had he worn any lady's token. So anon he said,

"Fair damsel, I will wear thy token on my helmet if thou wilt show it me."

Thereat was she passing glad, and brought him a scarlet sleeve broidered

with pearls, which Sir Lancelot took, and put upon his helm. Then he

prayed her to keep his shield for him until he came again, and taking Sir

Torre's shield instead, rode forth with Sir Lavaine towards Camelot.

On the morrow the trumpets blew for the tourney, and there was a great

press of dukes and earls and barons and many noble knights; and King

Arthur sat in a gallery to behold who did the best. So the King of

Scotland and his knights, and King Anguish of Ireland rode forth on King

Arthur's side; and against them came the King of North Wales, the King of

a Hundred Knights, the King of Northumberland, and the noble prince Sir

Galahaut.

But Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine rode into a little wood behind the party

which was against King Arthur, to watch which side should prove the

weakest.

Then was there a strong fight between the two parties, for the King of a

Hundred Knights smote down the King of Scotland; and Sir Palomedes, who

was on King Arthur's side, overthrew Sir Galahaut. Then came fifteen

Knights of the Round Table and beat back the Kings of Northumberland and

North Wales with their knights.

"Now," said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "if ye will help me, ye shall

see yonder fellowship go back as fast as they came."

"Sir," said Sir Lavaine, "I will do what I can."

Then they rode together into the thickest of the press, and there, with

one spear, Sir Lancelot smote down five Knights of the Round Table, one

after other, and Sir Lavaine overthrew two. And taking another spear, for

his own was broken, Sir Lancelot smote down four more knights, and Sir

Lavaine a fifth. Then, drawing his sword, Sir Lancelot fought fiercely on

the right hand and the left, and unhorsed Sir Safire, Sir Epinogris, and

Sir Galleron. At that the Knights of the Round Table withdrew themselves

as well as they were able.

"Now, mercy," said Sir Gawain, who sat by King Arthur; "what knight is

that who doth such marvellous deeds of arms? I should deem him by his

force to be Sir Lancelot, but that he wears a lady's token on his helm as

never Lancelot doth."

"Let him be," said King Arthur; "he will be better known, and do more ere

he depart."

Thus the party against King Arthur prospered at this time, and his knights

were sore ashamed. Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel called

together the knights of their blood, nine in number, and agreed to join

together in one band against the two strange knights. So they encountered

Sir Lancelot all at once, and by main force smote his horse to the ground;

and by misfortune Sir Bors struck Sir Lancelot through the shield into the

side, and the spear broke off and left the head in the wound.

When Sir Lavaine saw that, he ran to the King of Scotland and struck him

off his horse, and brought it to Sir Lancelot, and helped him to mount.

Then Sir Lancelot bore Sir Bors and his horse to the ground, and in like

manner served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and turning upon three other

knights he smote them down also; while Sir Lavaine did many gallant deeds.

But feeling himself now sorely wounded Sir Lancelot drew his sword, and

proffered to fight with Sir Bors, who, by this time, was mounted anew. And

as they met, Sir Ector and Sir Lionel came also, and the swords of all

three drave fiercely against him. When he felt their buffets, and his

wound that was so grievous, he determined to do all his best while he

could yet endure, and smote Sir Bors a blow that bent his head down nearly

to the ground and razed his helmet off and pulled him from his horse.

Then rushing at Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, he smote them down, and might

have slain all three, but when he saw their faces his heart forbade him.

Leaving them, therefore, on the field, he hurled into the thickest of the

press, and did such feats of arms as never were beheld before.

And Sir Lavaine was with him through it all, and overthrew ten knights;

but Sir Lancelot smote down more than thirty, and most of them Knights of

the Round Table.

Then the king ordered the trumpets to blow for the end of the tourney, and

the prize to be given by the heralds to the knight with the white shield

who bore the red sleeve.

But ere Sir Lancelot was found by the heralds, came the King of the

Hundred Knights, the King of North Wales, the King of Northumberland, and

Sir Galahaut, and said to him, "Fair knight, God bless thee, for much have

ye done this day for us; wherefore we pray ye come with us and receive

the honour and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it."

"My fair lords," said Sir Lancelot, "wit ye well if I have deserved

thanks, I have sore bought them, for I am like never to escape with my

life; therefore I pray ye let me depart, for I am sore hurt. I take no

thought of honour, for I had rather rest me than be lord of all the

world." And therewith he groaned piteously, and rode a great gallop away

from them.

And Sir Lavaine rode after him, sad at heart, for the broken spear still

stuck fast in Sir Lancelot's side, and the blood streamed sorely from the

wound. Anon they came near a wood more than a mile from the lists, where

he knew he could be hidden.

Then said he to Sir Lavaine, "O gentle knight, help me to pull out this

spear-head from my side, for the pain thereof nigh killeth me."

"Dear lord," said he, "I fain would help ye; but I dread to draw it forth,

lest ye should die for loss of blood."

"I charge you as you love me," said Sir Lancelot, "draw it out."

So they dismounted, and with a mighty wrench Sir Lavaine drew the spear

forth from Sir Lancelot's side; whereat he gave a marvellous great shriek

and ghastly groan, and all his blood leaped forth in a full stream. Then

he sank swooning to the earth, with a visage pale as death.

"Alas!" cried Sir Lavaine, "what shall I do now?"

And then he turned his master's face towards the wind, and sat by him nigh

half an hour while he lay quiet as one dead. But at the last he lifted up

his eyes, and said, "I pray ye bear me on my horse again, and lead me to a

hermit who dwelleth within two miles hence, for he was formerly a knight

of Arthur's court, and now hath mighty skill in medicine and herbs."

So with great pain Sir Lavaine got him to his horse, and led him to the

hermitage within the wood, beside a stream. Then knocked he with his spear

upon the door, and prayed to enter. At that a child came out, to whom he

said, "Fair child, pray the good man thy master to come hither and let in

a knight who is sore wounded."

Anon came out the knight-hermit, whose name was Sir Baldwin, and asked,

"Who is this wounded knight?"

"I know not," said Sir Lavaine, "save that he is the noblest knight I ever

met with, and hath done this day such marvellous deeds of arms against

King Arthur that he hath won the prize of the tourney."

Then the hermit gazed long on Sir Lancelot, and hardly knew him, so pale

he was with bleeding, yet said he at the last, "Who art thou, lord?"

Sir Lancelot answered feebly, "I am a stranger knight adventurous, who

laboureth through many realms to win worship."

"Why hidest thou thy name, dear lord, from me?" cried Sir Baldwin; "for in

sooth I know thee now to be the noblest knight in all the world--my lord

Sir Lancelot du Lake, with whom I long had fellowship at the Round Table."

"Since ye know me, fair sir," said he, "I pray ye, for Christ's sake, to

help me if ye may."

"Doubt not," replied he, "that ye shall live and fare right well."

Then he staunched his wound, and gave him strong medicines and cordials

till he was refreshed from his faintness and came to himself again.

Now after the jousting was done King Arthur held a feast, and asked to see

the knight with the red sleeve that he might take the prize. So they told

him how that knight had ridden from the field wounded nigh to death.

"These be the worst tidings I have heard for many years," cried out the

king; "I would not for my kingdom he were slain."

Then all men asked, "Know ye him, lord?"

"I may not tell ye at this time," said he; "but would to God we had good

tidings of him."

Then Sir Gawain prayed leave to go and seek that knight, which the king

gladly gave him. So forthwith he mounted and rode many leagues round

Camelot, but could hear no tidings.

Within two days thereafter King Arthur and his knights returned from

Camelot, and Sir Gawain chanced to lodge at Astolat, in the house of Sir

Bernard. And there came in the fair Elaine to him, and prayed him news of

the tournament, and who won the prize. "A knight with a white shield,"

said he, "who bare a red sleeve in his helm, smote down all comers and won

the day."

At that the visage of Elaine changed suddenly from white to red, and

heartily she thanked our Lady.

Then said Sir Gawain, "Know ye that knight?" and urged her till she told

him that it was her sleeve he wore. So Sir Gawain knew it was for love

that she had given it; and when he heard she kept his proper shield he

prayed to see it.

As soon as it was brought he saw Sir Lancelot's arms thereon, and cried,

"Alas! now am I heavier of heart than ever yet."

"Wherefore?" said fair Elaine.

"Fair damsel," answered he, "know ye not that the knight ye love is of

all knights the noblest in the world, Sir Lancelot du Lake? With all my

heart I pray ye may have joy of each other, but hardly dare I think that

ye shall see him in this world again, for he is so sore wounded he may

scarcely live, and is gone out of sight where none can find him."

Then was Elaine nigh mad with grief and sorrow, and with piteous words she

prayed her father that she might go seek Sir Lancelot and her brother. So

in the end her father gave her leave, and she departed.

And on the morrow came Sir Gawain to the court, and told how he had found

Sir Lancelot's shield in Elaine's keeping, and how it was her sleeve which

he had worn; whereat all marvelled, for Sir Lancelot had done for her more

than he had ever done for any woman.

But when Queen Guinevere heard it she was beside herself with wrath, and

sending privily for Sir Bors, who sorrowed sorely that through him Sir

Lancelot had been hurt--"Have ye now heard," said she, "how falsely Sir

Lancelot hath betrayed me?"

"I beseech thee, madam," said he, "speak not so, for else I may not hear

thee."

"Shall I not call him traitor," cried she, "who hath worn another lady's

token at the jousting?"

"Be sure he did it, madam, for no ill intent," replied Sir Bors, "but that

he might be better hidden, for never did he in that wise before."

"Now shame on him, and thee who wouldest help him," cried the queen.

"Madam, say what ye will," said he; "but I must haste to seek him, and God

send me soon good tidings of him."

So with that he departed to find Sir Lancelot.

Now Elaine had ridden with full haste from Astolat, and come to Camelot,

and there she sought throughout the country for any news of Lancelot. And

so it chanced that Sir Lavaine was riding near the hermitage to exercise

his horse, and when she saw him she ran up and cried aloud, "How doth my

lord Sir Lancelot fare?"

Then said Sir Lavaine, marvelling greatly, "How know ye my lord's name,

fair sister?"

So she told him how Sir Gawain had lodged with Sir Bernard, and knew Sir

Lancelot's shield.

Then prayed she to see his lord forthwith, and when she came to the

hermitage and found him lying there sore sick and bleeding, she swooned

for sorrow. Anon, as she revived, Sir Lancelot kissed her, and said, "Fair

maid, I pray ye take comfort, for, by God's grace, I shall be shortly

whole of this wound, and if ye be come to tend me, I am heartily bounden

to your great kindness." Yet was he sore vexed to hear Sir Gawain had

discovered him, for he knew Queen Guinevere would be full wroth because of

the red sleeve.

So Elaine rested in the hermitage, and ever night and day she watched and

waited on Sir Lancelot, and would let none other tend him. And as she saw

him more, the more she set her love upon him, and could by no means

withdraw it. Then said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavaine, "I pray thee set some

to watch for the good knight Sir Bors, for as he hurt me, so will he

surely seek for me."

Now Sir Bors by this time had come to Camelot, and was seeking for Sir

Lancelot everywhere, so Sir Lavaine soon found him, and brought him to the

hermitage.

And when he saw Sir Lancelot pale and feeble, he wept for pity and sorrow

that he had given him that grievous wound. "God send thee a right speedy

cure, dear lord," said he; "for I am of all men most unhappy to have

wounded thee, who art our leader, and the noblest knight in all the

world."

"Fair cousin," said Sir Lancelot, "be comforted, for I have but gained

what I sought, and it was through pride that I was hurt, for had I warned

ye of my coming it had not been; wherefore let us speak of other things."

So they talked long together, and Sir Bors told him of the queen's anger.

Then he asked Sir Lancelot, "Was it from this maid who tendeth you so

lovingly ye had the token?"

"Yea," said Sir Lancelot; "and would I could persuade her to withdraw her

love from me."

"Why should ye do so?" said Sir Bors; "for she is passing fair and loving.

I would to heaven ye could love her."

"That may not be," replied he; "but it repenteth me in sooth to grieve

her."

Then they talked of other matters, and of the great jousting at

Allhallowtide next coming, between King Arthur and the King of North

Wales.

"Abide with me till then," said Sir Lancelot, "for by that time I trust to

be all whole again, and we will go together."

So Elaine daily and nightly tending him, within a month he felt so strong

he deemed himself full cured. Then on a day, when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine

were from the hermitage, and the knight-hermit also was gone forth, Sir

Lancelot prayed Elaine to bring him some herbs from the forest.

When she was gone he rose and made haste to arm himself, and try if he

were whole enough to joust, and mounted on his horse, which was fresh with

lack of labour for so long a time. But when he set his spear in the rest

and tried his armour, the horse bounded and leapt beneath him, so that Sir

Lancelot strained to keep him back. And therewith his wound, which was not

wholly healed, burst forth again, and with a mighty groan he sank down

swooning on the ground.

At that came fair Elaine and wept and piteously moaned to see him lying

so. And when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came back, she called them traitors

to let him rise, or to know any rumour of the tournament. Anon the hermit

returned and was wroth to see Sir Lancelot risen, but within a while he

recovered him from his swoon and staunched the wound. Then Sir Lancelot

told him how he had risen of his own will to assay his strength for the

tournament. But the hermit bad him rest and let Sir Bors go alone, for

else would he sorely peril his life. And Elaine, with tears, prayed him in

the same wise, so that Sir Lancelot in the end consented.

So Sir Bors departed to the tournament, and there he did such feats of

arms that the prize was given between him and Sir Gawain, who did like

valiantly.

And when all was over he came back and told Sir Lancelot, and found him so

nigh well that he could rise and walk. And within a while thereafter he

departed from the hermitage and went with Sir Bors, Sir Lavaine, and fair

Elaine to Astolat, where Sir Bernard joyfully received them.

But after they had lodged there a few days Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors must

needs depart and return to King Arthur's court.

So when Elaine knew Sir Lancelot must go, she came to him and said, "Have

mercy on me, fair knight, and let me not die for your love."

Then said Sir Lancelot, very sad at heart, "Fair maid, what would ye that

I should do for you?"

"If I may not be your wife, dear lord," she answered, "I must die."

"Alas!" said he, "I pray heaven that may not be; for in sooth I may not be

your husband. But fain would I show ye what thankfulness I can for all

your love and kindness to me. And ever will I be your knight, fair maiden;

and if it chance that ye shall ever wed some noble knight, right heartily

will I give ye such a dower as half my lands will bring."

"Alas! what shall that aid me?" answered she; "for I must die," and

therewith she fell to the earth in a deep swoon.

Then was Sir Lancelot passing heavy of heart, and said to Sir Bernard and

Sir Lavaine, "What shall I do for her?"

"Alas!" said Sir Bernard, "I know well that she will die for your sake."

And Sir Lavaine said, "I marvel not that she so sorely mourneth your

departure, for truly I do as she doth, and since I once have seen you,

lord, I cannot leave you."

So anon, with a full sorrowful heart, Sir Lancelot took his leave, and Sir

Lavaine rode with him to the court. And King Arthur and the Knights of the

Round Table joyed greatly to see him whole of his wound, but Queen

Guinevere was sorely wroth, and neither spake with him nor greeted him.

Now when Sir Lancelot had departed, the Maid of Astolat could neither eat,

nor drink, not sleep for sorrow; and having thus endured ten days, she

felt within herself that she must die.

Then sent she for a holy man, and was shriven and received the sacrament.

But when he told her she must leave her earthly thoughts, she answered,

"Am I not an earthly woman? What sin is it to love the noblest knight of

all the world? And, by my truth, I am not able to withstand the love

whereof I die; wherefore, I pray the High Father of Heaven to have mercy

on my soul."

Then she besought Sir Bernard to indite a letter as she should devise, and

said, "When I am dead put this within my hand, and dress me in my fairest

clothes, and lay me in a barge all covered with black samite, and steer it

down the river till it reach the court. Thus, father, I beseech thee let

it be."

Then, full of grief, he promised her it should be so. And anon she died,

and all the household made a bitter lamentation over her.

Then did they as she had desired, and laid her body, richly dressed, upon

a bed within the barge, and a trusty servant steered it down the river

towards the court.

Now King Arthur and Queen Guinevere sat at a window of the palace, and saw

the barge come floating with the tide, and marvelled what was laid

therein, and sent a messenger to see, who, soon returning, prayed them to

come forth.

When they came to the shore they marvelled greatly, and the king asked of

the serving-men who steered the barge what this might mean. But he made

signs that he was dumb, and pointed to the letter in the damsel's hands.

So King Arthur took the letter from the hand of the corpse, and found

thereon written, "To the noble knight, Sir Lancelot du Lake."

Then was Sir Lancelot sent for, and the letter read aloud by a clerk, and

thus it was written:--

[Illustration: Then was Sir Lancelot sent for, and the letter read aloud

by a clerk.]

"Most noble knight, my lord Sir Lancelot, now hath death for ever parted

us. I, whom men call the Maid of Astolat, set my love upon you, and have

died for your sake. This is my last request, that ye pray for my soul and

give me burial. Grant me this, Sir Lancelot, as thou art a peerless

knight."

At these words the queen and all the knights wept sore for pity.

Then said Sir Lancelot, "My lord, I am right heavy for the death of this

fair damsel; and God knoweth that right unwillingly I caused it, for she

was good as she was fair, and much was I beholden to her; but she loved me

beyond measure, and asked me that I could not give her."

"Ye might have shown her gentleness enough to save her life," answered the

queen.

"Madam," said he, "she would but be repaid by my taking her to wife, and

that I could not grant her, for love cometh of the heart and not by

constraint."

"That is true," said the king; "for love is free."

"I pray you," said Sir Lancelot, "let me now grant her last asking, to be

buried by me."

So on the morrow, he caused her body to be buried richly and solemnly, and

ordained masses for her soul, and made great sorrow over her.

Then the queen sent for Sir Lancelot, and prayed his pardon for her wrath

against him without cause. "This is not the first time it hath been so,"

answered he; "yet must I ever bear with ye, and so do I now forgive you."

So Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot were made friends again; but anon such

favour did she show him, as in the end brought many evils on them both and

all the realm.