And when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot lie in his bed pale and
discoloured, anon Sir Bors lost his countenance, and for kindness and
pity he might not speak, but wept tenderly a great while. And then when
he might speak he said thus: O my lord, Sir Launcelot, God you bless,
and send you hasty recover; and full heavy am I of my misfortune and of
mine unhappiness, for now I may call myself unhappy. And I dread me
that God is greatly displeased with me, that he would suffer me to have
such a shame for to hurt you that are all our leader, and all our
worship; and therefore I call myself unhappy. Alas that ever such a
caitiff-knight as I am should have power by unhappiness to hurt the
most noblest knight of the world. Where I so shamefully set upon you
and overcharged you, and where ye might have slain me, ye saved me; and
so did not I, for I and your blood did to you our utterance. I marvel,
said Sir Bors, that my heart or my blood would serve me, wherefore my
lord, Sir Launcelot, I ask your mercy. Fair cousin, said Sir Launcelot,
ye be right welcome; and wit ye well, overmuch ye say for to please me,
the which pleaseth me not, for why I have the same I sought; for I
would with pride have overcome you all, and there in my pride I was
near slain, and that was in mine own default, for I might have given
you warning of my being there. And then had I had no hurt, for it is an
old said saw, there is hard battle thereas kin and friends do battle
either against other, there may be no mercy but mortal war. Therefore,
fair cousin, said Sir Launcelot, let this speech overpass, and all
shall be welcome that God sendeth; and let us leave off this matter and
let us speak of some rejoicing, for this that is done may not be
undone; and let us find a remedy how soon that I may be whole.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account