ye may find him, unless that he be in such a plight that he may not
wield himself. Jesu defend, said Sir Gawaine, but wit I shall what he
is, an I may find him.
Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him upon hackneys, and rode all
about Camelot within six or seven mile, but so he came again and could
hear no word of him. Then within two days King Arthur and all the
fellowship returned unto London again. And so as they rode by the way
it happed Sir Gawaine at Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard thereas was
Sir Launcelot lodged. And so as Sir Gawaine was in his chamber to
repose him Sir Bernard, the old baron, came unto him, and his daughter
Elaine, to cheer him and to ask him what tidings, and who did best at
that tournament of Winchester. So God me help, said Sir Gawaine, there
were two knights that bare two white shields, but the one of them bare
a red sleeve upon his head, and certainly he was one of the best
knights that ever I saw joust in field. For I dare say, said Sir
Gawaine, that one knight with the red sleeve smote down forty knights
of the Table Round, and his fellow did right well and worshipfully. Now
blessed be God, said the Fair Maiden of Astolat, that that knight sped
so well, for he is the man in the world that I first loved, and truly
he shall be last that ever I shall love. Now, fair maid, said Sir
Gawaine, is that good knight your love? Certainly sir, said she, wit ye
well he is my love. Then know ye his name? said Sir Gawaine. Nay truly,
said the damosel, I know not his name nor from whence he cometh, but to
say that I love him, I promise you and God that I love him. How had ye
knowledge of him first? said Sir Gawaine.
CHAPTER XIV. How Sir Gawaine was lodged with the lord of Astolat, and
there had knowledge that it was Sir Launcelot that bare the red sleeve.
Then she told him as ye have heard to-fore, and how her father betook
him her brother to do him service, and how her father lent him her
brother’s, Sir Tirre’s, shield: And here with me he left his own
shield. For what cause did he so? said Sir Gawaine. For this cause,
said the damosel, for his shield was too well known among many noble
knights. Ah fair damosel, said Sir Gawaine, please it you let me have a
sight of that shield. Sir, said she, it is in my chamber, covered with
a case, and if ye will come with me ye shall see it. Not so, said Sir
Bernard till his daughter, let send for it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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