Then came forth a lady that hight Dame Brisen, and she said unto the
king: Sir, wit ye well Sir Launcelot loveth no lady in the world but
all only Queen Guenever; and therefore work ye by counsel, and I shall
make him to lie with your daughter, and he shall not wit but that he
lieth with Queen Guenever. O fair lady, Dame Brisen, said the king,
hope ye to bring this about? Sir, said she, upon pain of my life let me
deal; for this Brisen was one of the greatest enchantresses that was at
that time in the world living. Then anon by Dame Brisen’s wit she made
one to come to Sir Launcelot that he knew well. And this man brought
him a ring from Queen Guenever like as it had come from her, and such
one as she was wont for the most part to wear; and when Sir Launcelot
saw that token wit ye well he was never so fain. Where is my lady? said
Sir Launcelot. In the Castle of Case, said the messenger, but five mile
hence. Then Sir Launcelot thought to be there the same might. And then
this Brisen by the commandment of King Pelles let send Elaine to this
castle with twenty-five knights unto the Castle of Case. Then Sir
Launcelot against night rode unto that castle, and there anon he was
received worshipfully with such people, to his seeming, as were about
Queen Guenever secret.
So when Sir Launcelot was alighted, he asked where the queen was. So
Dame Brisen said she was in her bed; and then the people were avoided,
and Sir Launcelot was led unto his chamber. And then Dame Brisen
brought Sir Launcelot a cup full of wine; and anon as he had drunken
that wine he was so assotted and mad that he might make no delay, but
withouten any let he went to bed; and he weened that maiden Elaine had
been Queen Guenever. Wit you well that Sir Launcelot was glad, and so
was that lady Elaine that she had gotten Sir Launcelot in her arms. For
well she knew that same night should be gotten upon her Galahad that
should prove the best knight of the world; and so they lay together
until underne of the morn; and all the windows and holes of that
chamber were stopped that no manner of day might be seen. And then Sir
Launcelot remembered him, and he arose up and went to the window.
CHAPTER III. How Sir Launcelot was displeased when he knew that he had
lain by Dame Elaine, and how she was delivered of Galahad.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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