So as fair Elaine came to Winchester she sought there all about, and by
fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him, to enchafe his horse. And
anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, and then she cried aloud until
him. And when he heard her anon he came to her, and then she asked her
brother how did my lord, Sir Launcelot. Who told you, sister, that my
lord’s name was Sir Launcelot? Then she told him how Sir Gawaine by his
shield knew him. So they rode together till that they came to the
hermitage, and anon she alighted.
So Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot; and when she saw him
lie so sick and pale in his bed she might not speak, but suddenly she
fell to the earth down suddenly in a swoon, and there she lay a great
while. And when she was relieved, she shrieked and said: My lord, Sir
Launcelot, alas why be ye in this plight? and then she swooned again.
And then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up: And bring her
to me. And when she came to herself Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said:
Fair maiden, why fare ye thus? ye put me to pain; wherefore make ye no
more such cheer, for an ye be come to comfort me ye be right welcome;
and of this little hurt that I have I shall be right hastily whole by
the grace of God. But I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, who told you my
name? Then the fair maiden told him all how Sir Gawaine was lodged with
her father: And there by your shield he discovered your name. Alas,
said Sir Launcelot, that me repenteth that my name is known, for I am
sure it will turn unto anger. And then Sir Launcelot compassed in his
mind that Sir Gawaine would tell Queen Guenever how he bare the red
sleeve, and for whom; that he wist well would turn into great anger.
So this maiden Elaine never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him
day and night, and did such attendance to him, that the French book
saith there was never woman did more kindlier for man than she. Then
Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to make aspies in Winchester for Sir
Bors if he came there, and told him by what tokens he should know him,
by a wound in his forehead. For well I am sure, said Sir Launcelot,
that Sir Bors will seek me, for he is the same good knight that hurt
me.
CHAPTER XVI. How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and found him in the
hermitage, and of the lamentation between them.
Now turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis that came unto Winchester to seek
after his cousin Sir Launcelot. And so when he came to Winchester, anon
there were men that Sir Lavaine had made to lie in a watch for such a
man, and anon Sir Lavaine had warning; and then Sir Lavaine came to
Winchester and found Sir Bors, and there he told him what he was, and
with whom he was, and what was his name. Now fair knight, said Sir
Bors, I require you that ye will bring me to my lord, Sir Launcelot.
Sir, said Sir Lavaine, take your horse, and within this hour ye shall
see him. And so they departed, and came to the hermitage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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