Now leave we there and speak of Sir Launcelot that rode a great while
in a deep forest, where he saw a black brachet, seeking in manner as it
had been in the feute of an hurt deer. And therewith he rode after the
brachet, and he saw lie on the ground a large feute of blood. And then
Sir Launcelot rode after. And ever the brachet looked behind her, and
so she went through a great marsh, and ever Sir Launcelot followed. And
then was he ware of an old manor, and thither ran the brachet, and so
over the bridge. So Sir Launcelot rode over that bridge that was old
and feeble; and when he came in midst of a great hall, there he saw lie
a dead knight that was a seemly man, and that brachet licked his
wounds. And therewithal came out a lady weeping and wringing her hands;
and then she said, O knight, too much sorrow hast thou brought me. Why
say ye so? said Sir Launcelot, I did never this knight no harm, for
hither by feute of blood this brachet brought me; and therefore, fair
lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore aggrieved of your
grievance. Truly, sir, she said, I trow it be not ye that hath slain my
husband, for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never
likely to recover, that shall I ensure him. What was your husband’s
name? said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said she, his name was called Sir
Gilbert the Bastard, one of the best knights of the world, and he that
hath slain him I know not his name. Now God send you better comfort,
said Sir Launcelot; and so he departed and went into the forest again,
and there he met with a damosel, the which knew him well, and she said
aloud, Well be ye found, my lord; and now I require thee, on thy
knighthood, help my brother that is sore wounded, and never stinteth
bleeding; for this day he fought with Sir Gilbert the Bastard and slew
him in plain battle, and there was my brother sore wounded, and there
is a lady a sorceress that dwelleth in a castle here beside, and this
day she told me my brother’s wounds should never be whole till I could
find a knight that would go into the Chapel Perilous, and there he
should find a sword and a bloody cloth that the wounded knight was
lapped in, and a piece of that cloth and sword should heal my brother’s
wounds, so that his wounds were searched with the sword and the cloth.
This is a marvellous thing, said Sir Launcelot, but what is your
brother’s name? Sir, she said, his name was Sir Meliot de Logres. That
me repenteth, said Sir Launcelot, for he is a fellow of the Table
Round, and to his help I will do my power. Then, sir, said she, follow
even this highway, and it will bring you unto the Chapel Perilous; and
here I shall abide till God send you here again, and, but you speed, I
know no knight living that may achieve that adventure.
CHAPTER XV. How Sir Launcelot came into the Chapel Perilous and gat
there of a dead corpse a piece of the cloth and a sword.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account