Anon he reached the castle door. Oh! fond and well deceived. And there it seemed the queen's own train Sir Launcelot received. "Where is the queen?" quoth Launcelot, "For I am sore bestead," "Have not such haste," said Dame Brisen, "The queen is now in bed." "Then lead me thither," saith he, "And cease this jape of thine." "Now sit thee down," said Dame Brisen, "And have a cup of wine." "For wit ye not that many eyes Upon you here have stared; Now have a cup of wine until All things may be prepared." Elaine lay in a fair chamber, 'Twixt linen sweet and clene. Dame Brisen all the windows stopped, That no day might be seen. Dame Brisen fetched a cup of wine And Launcelot drank thereof. "No more of flagons," saith he, "For I am mad for love." Dame Brisen took Sir Launcelot Where lay the maid Elaine. Sir Launcelot entered the bed chamber The queen's love for to gain. Sir Launcelot kissed the maid Elaine, And her cheeks and brows did burn; And then they lay in other's arms Until the morn's underne. Anon Sir Launcelot arose And toward the window groped, And then he saw the maid Elaine When he the window oped. "Ah, traitoress," saith Launcelot, And then he gat his sword, "That I should live so long and now Become a knight abhorred." "False traitoress," saith Launcelot, And then he shook the steel. Elaine skipped naked from the bed And 'fore the knight did kneel. "I am King Pelles own daughter And thou art Launcelot, The greatest knight of all the world. This hour we have begot." "Oh, traitoress Brisen," cried the knight, "Oh, charmed cup of wine; That I this treasonous thing should do For treasures such as thine." "Have mercy," saith maid Elaine, "Thy child is in my womb." Thereat the morning's silvern light Flooded the bridal room. That light it was a benison; It seemed a holy boon, As when behind a wrack of cloud Shineth the summer moon. And in the eyes of maid Elaine Looked forth so sweet a faith, Sir Launcelot took his glittering sword, And thrust it in the sheath. "So God me help, I spare thy life, But I am wretch and thrall, If any let my sword to make Dame Brisen's head to fall." "So have thy will of her," she said, "But do to me but good; For thou hast had my fairest flower, Which is my maidenhood." "And we have done the will of God, And the will of God is best." Sir Launcelot lifted the maid Elaine And hid her on his breast. Anon there cometh in a dove, By the window's open fold, And in her mouth was a rich censer That shone like beaten gold. And therewithal was such savor, As bloweth over sea, From a land of many colored flowers, And trees of spicery. And therewithal was meat and drink, And a damsel passing fair, Betwixt her hands of silver white A golden cup did bear.