“Alas!” said the Queen, “no evil was in my heart when I prepared this feast, for never have I done such foul deeds.” “My lord the King,” cried Sir Mador, “I require of you, as you are a just King, to fix a day that I may get ready for the fight!” “Well,” answered the King, “on the fifteenth day from this come on horseback to the meadow that is by Westminster. And if it happens that there be a Knight to fight with you, strike as hard as you will, God will speed the right. But if no Knight is there, then must my Queen be burned, and a fire shall be made in the meadow.” “I am answered,” said Sir Mador, and he and the rest of the Knights departed. When the King and Queen were left alone he asked her what had brought all this about. “God help me, that I know not,” said the Queen, “nor how it was done.” “Where is Sir Lancelot?” said King Arthur, looking round. “If he were here he would not grudge to do battle for you.” “Sir,” replied the Queen, “I know not where he is, but his brother and his kinsmen think he is not in this realm.” “I grieve for that,” said the King, “for he would soon stop this strife. But I counsel you, ask Sir Bors, and he will not refuse you. For well I see that none of the four and twenty Knights who were with you at dinner will be your champion, and none will say well of you, but men will speak evil of you at the Court.” “Alas!” sighed the Queen, “I do indeed miss Sir Lancelot, for he would soon ease my heart.” “What ails you?” asked the King, “that you cannot keep Sir Lancelot at your side, for well you know that he who Sir Lancelot fights for has the best Knight in the world for his champion. Now go your way, and command Sir Bors to do battle with you for Sir Lancelot’s sake.” So the Queen departed from the King, and sent for Sir Bors into her chamber, and when he came she besought his help. [Illustration: SIR MADOR ACCUSES GUENEVERE] “Madam,” said he, “what can I do? for I may not meddle in this matter lest the Knights who were at the dinner have me in suspicion, for I was there also. It is now, Madam, that you miss Sir Lancelot, whom you have driven away, as he would have done battle for you were you right or wrong, and I wonder how for shame’s sake you can ask me, knowing how I love and honour him.” “Alas,” said the Queen, “I throw myself on your grace,” and she went down on her knees and besought Sir Bors to have mercy on her, “else I shall have a shameful death, and one I have never deserved.” At that King Arthur came in, and found her kneeling before Sir Bors. “Madame! you do me great dishonour,” said Sir Bors, raising her up. “Ah, gentle Knight,” cried the King, “have mercy on my Queen, for I am sure that they speak falsely. And I require by the love of Sir Lancelot that you do battle for her instead of him.”