الفصل الفصل 457 · How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and

. How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and

how Sir Meliagrance laid a bushment for Launcelot.

Then by the queen’s commandment they left battle, and dressed the

wounded knights on horseback, some sitting, some overthwart their

horses, that it was pity to behold them. And then Sir Meliagrance

charged the queen and all her knights that none of all her fellowship

should depart from her; for full sore he dread Sir Launcelot du Lake,

lest he should have any knowledging. All this espied the queen, and

privily she called unto her a child of her chamber that was swiftly

horsed, to whom she said: Go thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear

this ring unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me that

he will see me and rescue me, if ever he will have joy of me; and spare

not thy horse, said the queen, neither for water, neither for land. So

the child espied his time, and lightly he took his horse with the

spurs, and departed as fast as he might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw

him so flee, he understood that it was by the queen’s commandment for

to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed chased him and

shot at him, but from them all the child went suddenly. And then Sir

Meliagrance said to the queen: Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I

shall ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you.

And then he rode with her, and they all, to his castle, in all the

haste that they might. And by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an

embushment the best archers that he might get in his country, to the

number of thirty, to await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if

they saw such a manner of knight come by the way upon a white horse,

that in any wise they slay his horse, but in no manner of wise have not

ado with him bodily, for he is over-hardy to be overcome.

So this was done, and they were come to his castle, but in no wise the

queen would never let none of the ten knights and her ladies out of her

sight, but always they were in her presence; for the book saith, Sir

Meliagrance durst make no masteries, for dread of Sir Launcelot,

insomuch he deemed that he had warning. So when the child was departed

from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance, within a while he came to

Westminster, and anon he found Sir Launcelot. And when he had told his

message, and delivered him the queen’s ring: Alas, said Sir Launcelot,

now I am shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from

dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his armour; and ever the child told

Sir Launcelot how the ten knights fought marvellously, and how Sir

Pelleas, and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde,

fought strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none withstand

him; and how they all fought till at the last they were laid to the

earth; and then the queen made appointment for to save their lives, and

go with Sir Meliagrance.

Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, that she should be so

destroyed; I had liefer, said Sir Launcelot, than all France, that I

had been there well armed. So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his

horse, he prayed the child of the queen’s chamber to warn Sir Lavaine

how suddenly he was departed, and for what cause. And pray him as he

loveth me, that he will hie him after me, and that he stint not until

he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth, or dwelleth; for

there, said Sir Launcelot, he shall hear of me an I am a man living,

and rescue the queen and the ten knights the which he traitorously hath

taken, and that shall I prove upon his head, and all them that hold

with him.