Kabanata Kabanata 438 · How Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and received a sleeve to

. How Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and received a sleeve to

wear upon his helm at the request of a maid.

Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I allow your wit, it is of late come since

ye were wise. And therefore, madam, at this time I will be ruled by

your counsel, and this night I will take my rest, and to-morrow by time

I will take my way toward Winchester. But wit you well, said Sir

Launcelot to the queen, that at that jousts I will be against the king,

and against all his fellowship. Ye may there do as ye list, said the

queen, but by my counsel ye shall not be against your king and your

fellowship. For therein be full many hard knights of your blood, as ye

wot well enough, it needeth not to rehearse them. Madam, said Sir

Launcelot, I pray you that ye be not displeased with me, for I will

take the adventure that God will send me.

And so upon the morn early Sir Launcelot heard mass and brake his fast,

and so took his leave of the queen and departed. And then he rode so

much until he came to Astolat, that is Guildford; and there it happed

him in the eventide he came to an old baron’s place that hight Sir

Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir Launcelot entered into his lodging, King

Arthur espied him as he did walk in a garden beside the castle, how he

took his lodging, and knew him full well. It is well, said King Arthur

unto the knights that were with him in that garden beside the castle, I

have now espied one knight that will play his play at the jousts to the

which we be gone toward; I undertake he will do marvels. Who is that,

we pray you tell us? said many knights that were there at that time. Ye

shall not wit for me, said the king, as at this time. And so the king

smiled, and went to his lodging.

So when Sir Launcelot was in his lodging, and unarmed him in his

chamber, the old baron and hermit came to him making his reverence, and

welcomed him in the best manner; but the old knight knew not Sir

Launcelot. Fair sir, said Sir Launcelot to his host, I would pray you

to lend me a shield that were not openly known, for mine is well known.

Sir, said his host, ye shall have your desire, for meseemeth ye be one

of the likeliest knights of the world, and therefore I shall shew you

friendship. Sir, wit you well I have two sons that were but late made

knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, and he was hurt that same day

he was made knight, that he may not ride, and his shield ye shall have;

for that is not known I dare say but here, and in no place else. And my

youngest son hight Lavaine, and if it please you, he shall ride with

you unto that jousts; and he is of his age strong and wight, for much

my heart giveth unto you that ye should be a noble knight, therefore I

pray you, tell me your name, said Sir Bernard. As for that, said Sir

Launcelot, ye must hold me excused as at this time, and if God give me

grace to speed well at the jousts I shall come again and tell you. But

I pray you, said Sir Launcelot, in any wise let me have your son, Sir

Lavaine, with me, and that I may have his brother’s shield. All this

shall be done, said Sir Bernard.

This old baron had a daughter that was called that time the Fair Maiden

of Astolat. And ever she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully; and as the

book saith, she cast such a love unto Sir Launcelot that she could

never withdraw her love, wherefore she died, and her name was Elaine le

Blank. So thus as she came to and fro she was so hot in her love that

she besought Sir Launcelot to wear upon him at the jousts a token of

hers. Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, an if I grant you that, ye may

say I do more for your love than ever I did for lady or damosel. Then

he remembered him he would go to the jousts disguised. And because he

had never fore that time borne no manner of token of no damosel, then

he bethought him that he would bear one of her, that none of his blood

thereby might know him, and then he said: Fair maiden, I will grant you

to wear a token of yours upon mine helmet, and therefore what it is,

shew it me. Sir, she said, it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet, well

embroidered with great pearls: and so she brought it him. So Sir

Launcelot received it, and said: Never did I erst so much for no

damosel. And then Sir Launcelot betook the fair maiden his shield in

keeping, and prayed her to keep that until that he came again; and so

that night he had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the damosel

Elaine was about Sir Launcelot all the while she might be suffered.