So after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled, and all knights that
were left alive were come again unto the Table Round, as the book of
the Sangreal maketh mention, then was there great joy in the court; and
in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever made great joy of the
remnant that were come home, and passing glad was the king and the
queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had been passing long
away in the quest of the Sangreal.
Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen
Guenever again, and forgat the promise and the perfection that he made
in the quest. For, as the book saith, had not Sir Launcelot been in his
privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly to the queen as he was
in seeming outward to God, there had no knight passed him in the quest
of the Sangreal; but ever his thoughts were privily on the queen, and
so they loved together more hotter than they did to-forehand, and had
such privy draughts together, that many in the court spake of it, and
in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine’s brother, for he was ever
open-mouthed.
So befell that Sir Launcelot had many resorts of ladies and damosels
that daily resorted unto him, that besought him to be their champion,
and in all such matters of right Sir Launcelot applied him daily to do
for the pleasure of Our Lord, Jesu Christ. And ever as much as he might
he withdrew him from the company and fellowship of Queen Guenever, for
to eschew the slander and noise; wherefore the queen waxed wroth with
Sir Launcelot. And upon a day she called Sir Launcelot unto her
chamber, and said thus: Sir Launcelot, I see and feel daily that thy
love beginneth to slake, for thou hast no joy to be in my presence, but
ever thou art out of this court, and quarrels and matters thou hast
nowadays for ladies and gentlewomen more than ever thou wert wont to
have aforehand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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