In such manner they kept Launcelot four-and-twenty days and all so many
nights, that ever he lay still as a dead man; and at the twenty-fifth
day befell him after midday that he opened his eyes. And when he saw
folk he made great sorrow, and said: Why have ye awaked me, for I was
more at ease than I am now. O Jesu Christ, who might be so blessed that
might see openly thy great marvels of secretness there where no sinner
may be! What have ye seen? said they about him. I have seen, said he,
so great marvels that no tongue may tell, and more than any heart can
think, and had not my son been here afore me I had seen much more.
Then they told him how he had lain there four-and-twenty days and
nights. Then him thought it was punishment for the four-and-twenty
years that he had been a sinner, wherefore Our Lord put him in penance
four-and-twenty days and nights. Then looked Sir Launcelot afore him,
and saw the hair which he had borne nigh a year, for that he
for-thought him right much that he had broken his promise unto the
hermit, which he had avowed to do. Then they asked how it stood with
him. Forsooth, said he, I am whole of body, thanked be Our Lord;
therefore, sirs, for God’s love tell me where I am. Then said they all
that he was in the castle of Carbonek.
Therewith came a gentlewoman and brought him a shirt of small linen
cloth, but he changed not there, but took the hair to him again. Sir,
said they, the quest of the Sangreal is achieved now right in you, that
never shall ye see of the Sangreal no more than ye have seen. Now I
thank God, said Launcelot, of His great mercy of that I have seen, for
it sufficeth me; for as I suppose no man in this world hath lived
better than I have done to enchieve that I have done. And therewith he
took the hair and clothed him in it, and above that he put a linen
shirt, and after a robe of scarlet, fresh and new. And when he was so
arrayed they marvelled all, for they knew him that he was Launcelot,
the good knight. And then they said all: O my lord Sir Launcelot, be
that ye? And he said: Truly I am he.
Then came word to King Pelles that the knight that had lain so long
dead was Sir Launcelot. Then was the king right glad, and went to see
him. And when Launcelot saw him come he dressed him against him, and
there made the king great joy of him. And there the king told him
tidings that his fair daughter was dead. Then Launcelot was right heavy
of it, and said: Sir, me forthinketh the death of your daughter, for
she was a full fair lady, fresh and young. And well I wot she bare the
best knight that is now on the earth, or that ever was sith God was
born. So the king held him there four days, and on the morrow he took
his leave at King Pelles and at all the fellowship, and thanked them of
their great labour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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