And the wind arose, and drove Launcelot more than a month throughout
the sea, where he slept but little, but prayed to God that he might see
some tidings of the Sangreal. So it befell on a night, at midnight, he
arrived afore a castle, on the back side, which was rich and fair, and
there was a postern opened toward the sea, and was open without any
keeping, save two lions kept the entry; and the moon shone clear. Anon
Sir Launcelot heard a voice that said: Launcelot, go out of this ship
and enter into the castle, where thou shalt see a great part of thy
desire. Then he ran to his arms, and so armed him, and so went to the
gate and saw the lions. Then set he hand to his sword and drew it. Then
there came a dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so sore that the
sword fell out of his hand. Then heard he a voice say: O man of evil
faith and poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more on thy harness than
in thy Maker, for He might more avail thee than thine armour, in whose
service that thou art set. Then said Launcelot: Fair Father Jesu
Christ, I thank thee of Thy great mercy that Thou reprovest me of my
misdeed; now see I well that ye hold me for your servant. Then took he
again his sword and put it up in his sheath, and made a cross in his
forehead, and came to the lions, and they made semblaunt to do him
harm. Notwithstanding he passed by them without hurt, and entered into
the castle to the chief fortress, and there were they all at rest. Then
Launcelot entered in so armed, for he found no gate nor door but it was
open. And at the last he found a chamber whereof the door was shut, and
he set his hand thereto to have opened it, but he might not.
CHAPTER XV. How Sir Launcelot was to-fore the door of the chamber
wherein the Holy Sangreal was.
Then he enforced him mickle to undo the door. Then he listened and
heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it seemed none earthly thing;
and him thought the voice said: Joy and honour be to the Father of
Heaven. Then Launcelot kneeled down to-fore the chamber, for well wist
he that there was the Sangreal within that chamber. Then said he: Fair
sweet Father, Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that pleased Thee, Lord
for Thy pity never have me not in despite for my sins done aforetime,
and that Thou show me something of that I seek. And with that he saw
the chamber door open, and there came out a great clearness, that the
house was as bright as all the torches of the world had been there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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