Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a swoon; and then women
bare her into her chamber, and there she made over much sorrow; and
then Sir Launcelot would depart, and there he asked Sir Lavaine what he
would do. What should I do, said Sir Lavaine, but follow you, but if ye
drive me from you, or command me to go from you. Then came Sir Bernard
to Sir Launcelot and said to him: I cannot see but that my daughter
Elaine will die for your sake. I may not do withal, said Sir Launcelot,
for that me sore repenteth, for I report me to yourself, that my
proffer is fair; and me repenteth, said Sir Launcelot, that she loveth
me as she doth; I was never the causer of it, for I report me to your
son I early ne late proffered her bounté nor fair behests; and as for
me, said Sir Launcelot, I dare do all that a knight should do that she
is a clean maiden for me, both for deed and for will. And I am right
heavy of her distress, for she is a full fair maiden, good and gentle,
and well taught. Father, said Sir Lavaine, I dare make good she is a
clean maiden as for my lord Sir Launcelot; but she doth as I do, for
sithen I first saw my lord Sir Launcelot, I could never depart from
him, nor nought I will an I may follow him.
Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and so they departed, and came unto
Winchester. And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come whole and
sound the king made great joy of him, and so did Sir Gawaine and all
the knights of the Round Table except Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred.
Also Queen Guenever was wood wroth with Sir Launcelot, and would by no
means speak with him, but estranged herself from him; and Sir Launcelot
made all the means that he might for to speak with the queen, but it
would not be.
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