Bab Bab 115 · How Sir Launcelot followed a brachet into a castle, where

. How Sir Launcelot followed a brachet into a castle, where

he found a dead knight, and how he after was required of a damosel to

heal her brother.

Now leave we there and speak of Sir Launcelot that rode a great while

in a deep forest, where he saw a black brachet, seeking in manner as it

had been in the feute of an hurt deer. And therewith he rode after the

brachet, and he saw lie on the ground a large feute of blood. And then

Sir Launcelot rode after. And ever the brachet looked behind her, and

so she went through a great marsh, and ever Sir Launcelot followed. And

then was he ware of an old manor, and thither ran the brachet, and so

over the bridge. So Sir Launcelot rode over that bridge that was old

and feeble; and when he came in midst of a great hall, there he saw lie

a dead knight that was a seemly man, and that brachet licked his

wounds. And therewithal came out a lady weeping and wringing her hands;

and then she said, O knight, too much sorrow hast thou brought me. Why

say ye so? said Sir Launcelot, I did never this knight no harm, for

hither by feute of blood this brachet brought me; and therefore, fair

lady, be not displeased with me, for I am full sore aggrieved of your

grievance. Truly, sir, she said, I trow it be not ye that hath slain my

husband, for he that did that deed is sore wounded, and he is never

likely to recover, that shall I ensure him. What was your husband’s

name? said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said she, his name was called Sir

Gilbert the Bastard, one of the best knights of the world, and he that

hath slain him I know not his name. Now God send you better comfort,

said Sir Launcelot; and so he departed and went into the forest again,

and there he met with a damosel, the which knew him well, and she said

aloud, Well be ye found, my lord; and now I require thee, on thy

knighthood, help my brother that is sore wounded, and never stinteth

bleeding; for this day he fought with Sir Gilbert the Bastard and slew

him in plain battle, and there was my brother sore wounded, and there

is a lady a sorceress that dwelleth in a castle here beside, and this

day she told me my brother’s wounds should never be whole till I could

find a knight that would go into the Chapel Perilous, and there he

should find a sword and a bloody cloth that the wounded knight was

lapped in, and a piece of that cloth and sword should heal my brother’s

wounds, so that his wounds were searched with the sword and the cloth.

This is a marvellous thing, said Sir Launcelot, but what is your

brother’s name? Sir, she said, his name was Sir Meliot de Logres. That

me repenteth, said Sir Launcelot, for he is a fellow of the Table

Round, and to his help I will do my power. Then, sir, said she, follow

even this highway, and it will bring you unto the Chapel Perilous; and

here I shall abide till God send you here again, and, but you speed, I

know no knight living that may achieve that adventure.