Chapter Chapter 466 · How Sir Launcelot was commanded by Arthur to handle his

. How Sir Launcelot was commanded by Arthur to handle his

wounds, and anon he was all whole, and how they thanked God.

Mercy Jesu, said King Arthur, where is Sir Launcelot du Lake that he is

not here at this time? Thus, as they stood and spake of many things,

there was espied Sir Launcelot that came riding toward them, and told

the king. Peace, said the king, let no manner thing be said until he be

come to us. So when Sir Launcelot espied King Arthur, he descended from

his horse and came to the king, and saluted him and them all. Anon as

the maid, Sir Urre’s sister, saw Sir Launcelot, she ran to her brother

thereas he lay in his litter, and said: Brother, here is come a knight

that my heart giveth greatly unto. Fair sister, said Sir Urre, so doth

my heart light against him, and certainly I hope now to be healed, for

my heart giveth unto him more than to all these that have searched me.

Then said Arthur unto Sir Launcelot: Ye must do as we have done; and

told Sir Launcelot what they had done, and showed him them all, that

had searched him. Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot, when so many

kings and knights have assayed and failed, that I should presume upon

me to enchieve that all ye, my lords, might not enchieve. Ye shall not

choose, said King Arthur, for I will command you for to do as we all

have done. My most renowned lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye know well I

dare not nor may not disobey your commandment, but an I might or durst,

wit you well I would not take upon me to touch that wounded knight in

that intent that I should pass all other knights; Jesu defend me from

that shame. Ye take it wrong, said King Arthur, ye shall not do it for

no presumption, but for to bear us fellowship, insomuch ye be a fellow

of the Table Round; and wit you well, said King Arthur, an ye prevail

not and heal him, I dare say there is no knight in this land may heal

him, and therefore I pray you, do as we have done.

And then all the kings and knights for the most part prayed Sir

Launcelot to search him; and then the wounded knight, Sir Urre, set him

up weakly, and prayed Sir Launcelot heartily, saying: Courteous knight,

I require thee for God’s sake heal my wounds, for methinketh ever

sithen ye came here my wounds grieve me not. Ah, my fair lord, said Sir

Launcelot, Jesu would that I might help you; I shame me sore that I

should be thus rebuked, for never was I able in worthiness to do so

high a thing. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down by the wounded knight

saying: My lord Arthur, I must do your commandment, the which is sore

against my heart. And then he held up his hands, and looked into the

east, saying secretly unto himself: Thou blessed Father, Son, and Holy

Ghost, I beseech thee of thy mercy, that my simple worship and honesty

be saved, and thou blessed Trinity, thou mayst give power to heal this

sick knight by thy great virtue and grace of thee, but, Good Lord,

never of myself. And then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Urre to let him see

his head; and then devoutly kneeling he ransacked the three wounds,

that they bled a little, and forthwith all the wounds fair healed, and

seemed as they had been whole a seven year. And in likewise he searched

his body of other three wounds, and they healed in likewise; and then

the last of all he searched the which was in his hand, and anon it

healed fair.

Then King Arthur and all the kings and knights kneeled down and gave

thankings and lovings unto God and to His Blessed Mother. And ever Sir

Launcelot wept as he had been a child that had been beaten. Then King

Arthur let array priests and clerks in the most devoutest manner, to

bring in Sir Urre within Carlisle, with singing and loving to God. And

when this was done, the king let clothe him in the richest manner that

could be thought; and then were there but few better made knights in

all the court, for he was passingly well made and bigly; and Arthur

asked Sir Urre how he felt himself. My good lord, he said, I felt

myself never so lusty. Will ye joust and do deeds of arms? said King

Arthur. Sir, said Urre, an I had all that longed unto jousts I would be

soon ready.