Now turn we unto Queen Guenever and to the fair Lady Elaine, that when
Dame Elaine heard the queen so to rebuke Sir Launcelot, and also she
saw how he swooned, and how he leaped out at a bay window, then she
said unto Queen Guenever: Madam, ye are greatly to blame for Sir
Launcelot, for now have ye lost him, for I saw and heard by his
countenance that he is mad for ever. Alas, madam, ye do great sin, and
to yourself great dishonour, for ye have a lord of your own, and
therefore it is your part to love him; for there is no queen in this
world hath such another king as ye have. And, if ye were not, I might
have the love of my lord Sir Launcelot; and cause I have to love him
for he had my maidenhood, and by him I have borne a fair son, and his
name is Galahad, and he shall be in his time the best knight of the
world. Dame Elaine, said the queen, when it is daylight I charge you
and command you to avoid my court; and for the love ye owe unto Sir
Launcelot discover not his counsel, for an ye do, it will be his death.
As for that, said Dame Elaine, I dare undertake he is marred for ever,
and that have ye made; for ye, nor I, are like to rejoice him; for he
made the most piteous groans when he leapt out at yonder bay window
that ever I heard man make. Alas, said fair Elaine, and alas, said the
Queen Guenever, for now I wot well we have lost him for ever.
So on the morn Dame Elaine took her leave to depart, and she would no
longer abide. Then King Arthur brought her on her way with mo than an
hundred knights through a forest. And by the way she told Sir Bors de
Ganis all how it betid that same night, and how Sir Launcelot leapt out
at a window, araged out of his wit. Alas, said Sir Bors, where is my
lord, Sir Launcelot, become? Sir, said Elaine, I wot ne’er. Alas, said
Sir Bors, betwixt you both ye have destroyed that good knight. As for
me, said Dame Elaine, I said never nor did never thing that should in
any wise displease him, but with the rebuke that Queen Guenever gave
him I saw him swoon to the earth; and when he awoke he took his sword
in his hand, naked save his shirt, and leapt out at a window with the
grisliest groan that ever I heard man make. Now farewell, Dame Elaine,
said Sir Bors, and hold my lord Arthur with a tale as long as ye can,
for I will turn again to Queen Guenever and give her a hete; and I
require you, as ever ye will have my service, make good watch and espy
if ever ye may see my lord Sir Launcelot. Truly, said fair Elaine, I
shall do all that I may do, for as fain would I know and wit where he
is become, as you, or any of his kin, or Queen Guenever; and cause
great enough have I thereto as well as any other. And wit ye well, said
fair Elaine to Sir Bors, I would lose my life for him rather than he
should be hurt; but alas, I cast me never for to see him, and the chief
causer of this is Dame Guenever. Madam, said Dame Brisen, the which had
made the enchantment before betwixt Sir Launcelot and her, I pray you
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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