Bab Bab 421 · How Sir Launcelot was to-fore the door of the chamber

. How Sir Launcelot was to-fore the door of the chamber

wherein the Holy Sangreal was.

Then he enforced him mickle to undo the door. Then he listened and

heard a voice which sang so sweetly that it seemed none earthly thing;

and him thought the voice said: Joy and honour be to the Father of

Heaven. Then Launcelot kneeled down to-fore the chamber, for well wist

he that there was the Sangreal within that chamber. Then said he: Fair

sweet Father, Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that pleased Thee, Lord

for Thy pity never have me not in despite for my sins done aforetime,

and that Thou show me something of that I seek. And with that he saw

the chamber door open, and there came out a great clearness, that the

house was as bright as all the torches of the world had been there.

So came he to the chamber door, and would have entered. And anon a

voice said to him: Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou oughtest

not to do it; and if thou enter thou shalt for-think it. Then he

withdrew him aback right heavy. Then looked he up in the midst of the

chamber, and saw a table of silver, and the Holy Vessel, covered with

red samite, and many angels about it, whereof one held a candle of wax

burning, and the other held a cross, and the ornaments of an altar. And

before the Holy Vessel he saw a good man clothed as a priest. And it

seemed that he was at the sacring of the mass. And it seemed to

Launcelot that above the priest’s hands were three men, whereof the two

put the youngest by likeness between the priest’s hands; and so he lift

it up right high, and it seemed to show so to the people. And then

Launcelot marvelled not a little, for him thought the priest was so

greatly charged of the figure that him seemed that he should fall to

the earth. And when he saw none about him that would help him, then

came he to the door a great pace, and said: Fair Father Jesu Christ, ne

take it for no sin though I help the good man which hath great need of

help.

Right so entered he into the chamber, and came toward the table of

silver; and when he came nigh he felt a breath, that him thought it was

intermeddled with fire, which smote him so sore in the visage that him

thought it brent his visage; and therewith he fell to the earth, and

had no power to arise, as he that was so araged, that had lost the

power of his body, and his hearing, and his seeing. Then felt he many

hands about him, which took him up and bare him out of the chamber

door, without any amending of his swoon, and left him there, seeming

dead to all people.

So upon the morrow when it was fair day they within were arisen, and

found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door. All they marvelled how

that he came in, and so they looked upon him, and felt his pulse to wit

whether there were any life in him; and so they found life in him, but

he might not stand nor stir no member that he had. And so they took him

by every part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in

a rich bed, far from all folk; and so he lay four days. Then the one

said he was alive, and the other said, Nay. In the name of God, said an

old man, for I do you verily to wit he is not dead, but he is so full

of life as the mightiest of you all; and therefore I counsel you that

he be well kept till God send him life again.