Kabanata Kabanata 442 · How Launcelot was brought to an hermit for to be healed

. How Launcelot was brought to an hermit for to be healed

of his wound, and of other matters.

And when the hermit beheld him, as he sat leaning upon his saddle-bow

ever bleeding piteously, and ever the knight-hermit thought that he

should know him, but he could not bring him to knowledge because he was

so pale for bleeding. What knight are ye, said the hermit, and where

were ye born? My fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, I am a stranger and a

knight adventurous, that laboureth throughout many realms for to win

worship. Then the hermit advised him better, and saw by a wound on his

cheek that he was Sir Launcelot. Alas, said the hermit, mine own lord

why lain you your name from me? Forsooth I ought to know you of right,

for ye are the most noblest knight of the world, for well I know you

for Sir Launcelot. Sir, said he, sith ye know me, help me an ye may,

for God’s sake, for I would be out of this pain at once, either to

death or to life. Have ye no doubt, said the hermit, ye shall live and

fare right well. And so the hermit called to him two of his servants,

and so he and his servants bare him into the hermitage, and lightly

unarmed him, and laid him in his bed. And then anon the hermit

staunched his blood, and made him to drink good wine, so that Sir

Launcelot was well refreshed and knew himself; for in those days it was

not the guise of hermits as is nowadays, for there were none hermits in

those days but that they had been men of worship and of prowess; and

those hermits held great household, and refreshed people that were in

distress.

Now turn we unto King Arthur, and leave we Sir Launcelot in the

hermitage. So when the kings were come together on both parties, and

the great feast should be holden, King Arthur asked the King of

Northgalis and their fellowship, where was that knight that bare the

red sleeve: Bring him afore me that he may have his laud, and honour,

and the prize, as it is right. Then spake Sir Galahad, the haut prince,

and the King with the Hundred Knights: We suppose that knight is

mischieved, and that he is never like to see you nor none of us all,

and that is the greatest pity that ever we wist of any knight. Alas,

said Arthur, how may this be, is he so hurt? What is his name? said

King Arthur. Truly, said they all, we know not his name, nor from

whence he came, nor whither he would. Alas, said the king, this be to

me the worst tidings that came to me this seven year, for I would not

for all the lands I wield to know and wit it were so that that noble

knight were slain. Know ye him? said they all. As for that, said

Arthur, whether I know him or know him not, ye shall not know for me

what man he is, but Almighty Jesu send me good tidings of him. And so

said they all. By my head, said Sir Gawaine, if it so be that the good

knight be so sore hurt, it is great damage and pity to all this land,

for he is one of the noblest knights that ever I saw in a field handle

a spear or a sword; and if he may be found I shall find him, for I am

sure he nis not far from this town. Bear you well, said King Arthur, an

ye may find him, unless that he be in such a plight that he may not

wield himself. Jesu defend, said Sir Gawaine, but wit I shall what he

is, an I may find him.

Right so Sir Gawaine took a squire with him upon hackneys, and rode all

about Camelot within six or seven mile, but so he came again and could

hear no word of him. Then within two days King Arthur and all the

fellowship returned unto London again. And so as they rode by the way

it happed Sir Gawaine at Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard thereas was

Sir Launcelot lodged. And so as Sir Gawaine was in his chamber to

repose him Sir Bernard, the old baron, came unto him, and his daughter

Elaine, to cheer him and to ask him what tidings, and who did best at

that tournament of Winchester. So God me help, said Sir Gawaine, there

were two knights that bare two white shields, but the one of them bare

a red sleeve upon his head, and certainly he was one of the best

knights that ever I saw joust in field. For I dare say, said Sir

Gawaine, that one knight with the red sleeve smote down forty knights

of the Table Round, and his fellow did right well and worshipfully. Now

blessed be God, said the Fair Maiden of Astolat, that that knight sped

so well, for he is the man in the world that I first loved, and truly

he shall be last that ever I shall love. Now, fair maid, said Sir

Gawaine, is that good knight your love? Certainly sir, said she, wit ye

well he is my love. Then know ye his name? said Sir Gawaine. Nay truly,

said the damosel, I know not his name nor from whence he cometh, but to

say that I love him, I promise you and God that I love him. How had ye

knowledge of him first? said Sir Gawaine.