Bab Bab 430 · Of the joy King Arthur and the queen had of the achievement

. Of the joy King Arthur and the queen had of the achievement

of the Sangreal; and how Launcelot fell to his old love again.

So after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled, and all knights that

were left alive were come again unto the Table Round, as the book of

the Sangreal maketh mention, then was there great joy in the court; and

in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever made great joy of the

remnant that were come home, and passing glad was the king and the

queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had been passing long

away in the quest of the Sangreal.

Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen

Guenever again, and forgat the promise and the perfection that he made

in the quest. For, as the book saith, had not Sir Launcelot been in his

privy thoughts and in his mind so set inwardly to the queen as he was

in seeming outward to God, there had no knight passed him in the quest

of the Sangreal; but ever his thoughts were privily on the queen, and

so they loved together more hotter than they did to-forehand, and had

such privy draughts together, that many in the court spake of it, and

in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir Gawaine’s brother, for he was ever

open-mouthed.

So befell that Sir Launcelot had many resorts of ladies and damosels

that daily resorted unto him, that besought him to be their champion,

and in all such matters of right Sir Launcelot applied him daily to do

for the pleasure of Our Lord, Jesu Christ. And ever as much as he might

he withdrew him from the company and fellowship of Queen Guenever, for

to eschew the slander and noise; wherefore the queen waxed wroth with

Sir Launcelot. And upon a day she called Sir Launcelot unto her

chamber, and said thus: Sir Launcelot, I see and feel daily that thy

love beginneth to slake, for thou hast no joy to be in my presence, but

ever thou art out of this court, and quarrels and matters thou hast

nowadays for ladies and gentlewomen more than ever thou wert wont to

have aforehand.

Ah madam, said Launcelot, in this ye must hold me excused for divers

causes; one is, I was but late in the quest of the Sangreal; and I

thank God of his great mercy, and never of my desert, that I saw in

that my quest as much as ever saw any sinful man, and so was it told

me. And if I had not had my privy thoughts to return to your love again

as I do, I had seen as great mysteries as ever saw my son Galahad,

outher Percivale, or Sir Bors; and therefore, madam, I was but late in

that quest. Wit ye well, madam, it may not be yet lightly forgotten the

high service in whom I did my diligent labour. Also, madam, wit ye well

that there be many men speak of our love in this court, and have you

and me greatly in await, as Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred; and madam,

wit ye well I dread them more for your sake than for any fear I have of

them myself, for I may happen to escape and rid myself in a great need,

where ye must abide all that will be said unto you. And then if that ye

fall in any distress through wilful folly, then is there none other

remedy or help but by me and my blood. And wit ye well, madam, the

boldness of you and me will bring us to great shame and slander; and

that were me loath to see you dishonoured. And that is the cause I take

upon me more for to do for damosels and maidens than ever I did

to-fore, that men should understand my joy and my delight is my

pleasure to have ado for damosels and maidens.