Kabanata Kabanata 335 · How Dame Elaine was commanded by Queen Guenever to avoid

. How Dame Elaine was commanded by Queen Guenever to avoid

the court, and how Sir Launcelot became mad.

Now turn we unto Queen Guenever and to the fair Lady Elaine, that when

Dame Elaine heard the queen so to rebuke Sir Launcelot, and also she

saw how he swooned, and how he leaped out at a bay window, then she

said unto Queen Guenever: Madam, ye are greatly to blame for Sir

Launcelot, for now have ye lost him, for I saw and heard by his

countenance that he is mad for ever. Alas, madam, ye do great sin, and

to yourself great dishonour, for ye have a lord of your own, and

therefore it is your part to love him; for there is no queen in this

world hath such another king as ye have. And, if ye were not, I might

have the love of my lord Sir Launcelot; and cause I have to love him

for he had my maidenhood, and by him I have borne a fair son, and his

name is Galahad, and he shall be in his time the best knight of the

world. Dame Elaine, said the queen, when it is daylight I charge you

and command you to avoid my court; and for the love ye owe unto Sir

Launcelot discover not his counsel, for an ye do, it will be his death.

As for that, said Dame Elaine, I dare undertake he is marred for ever,

and that have ye made; for ye, nor I, are like to rejoice him; for he

made the most piteous groans when he leapt out at yonder bay window

that ever I heard man make. Alas, said fair Elaine, and alas, said the

Queen Guenever, for now I wot well we have lost him for ever.

So on the morn Dame Elaine took her leave to depart, and she would no

longer abide. Then King Arthur brought her on her way with mo than an

hundred knights through a forest. And by the way she told Sir Bors de

Ganis all how it betid that same night, and how Sir Launcelot leapt out

at a window, araged out of his wit. Alas, said Sir Bors, where is my

lord, Sir Launcelot, become? Sir, said Elaine, I wot ne’er. Alas, said

Sir Bors, betwixt you both ye have destroyed that good knight. As for

me, said Dame Elaine, I said never nor did never thing that should in

any wise displease him, but with the rebuke that Queen Guenever gave

him I saw him swoon to the earth; and when he awoke he took his sword

in his hand, naked save his shirt, and leapt out at a window with the

grisliest groan that ever I heard man make. Now farewell, Dame Elaine,

said Sir Bors, and hold my lord Arthur with a tale as long as ye can,

for I will turn again to Queen Guenever and give her a hete; and I

require you, as ever ye will have my service, make good watch and espy

if ever ye may see my lord Sir Launcelot. Truly, said fair Elaine, I

shall do all that I may do, for as fain would I know and wit where he

is become, as you, or any of his kin, or Queen Guenever; and cause

great enough have I thereto as well as any other. And wit ye well, said

fair Elaine to Sir Bors, I would lose my life for him rather than he

should be hurt; but alas, I cast me never for to see him, and the chief

causer of this is Dame Guenever. Madam, said Dame Brisen, the which had

made the enchantment before betwixt Sir Launcelot and her, I pray you

heartily, let Sir Bors depart, and hie him with all his might as fast

as he may to seek Sir Launcelot, for I warn you he is clean out of his

mind; and yet he shall be well holpen an but by miracle.

Then wept Dame Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis; and so they

departed, and Sir Bors rode straight unto Queen Guenever. And when she

saw Sir Bors she wept as she were wood. Fie on your weeping, said Sir

Bors de Ganis, for ye weep never but when there is no bote. Alas, said

Sir Bors, that ever Sir Launcelot’s kin saw you, for now have ye lost

the best knight of our blood, and he that was all our leader and our

succour; and I dare say and make it good that all kings, christian nor

heathen, may not find such a knight, for to speak of his nobleness and

courtesy, with his beauty and his gentleness. Alas, said Sir Bors, what

shall we do that be of his blood? Alas, said Sir Ector de Maris. Alas,

said Lionel.