บทที่ บทที่ 328 · How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and of the Sangreal, and

. How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and of the Sangreal, and

of Elaine, King Pelles’ daughter.

Sir, said Launcelot, wit you well my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. And

my name is, said the king, Pelles, king of the foreign country, and

cousin nigh unto Joseph of Armathie. And then either of them made much

of other, and so they went into the castle to take their repast. And

anon there came in a dove at a window, and in her mouth there seemed a

little censer of gold. And herewithal there was such a savour as all

the spicery of the world had been there. And forthwithal there was upon

the table all manner of meats and drinks that they could think upon. So

came in a damosel passing fair and young, and she bare a vessel of gold

betwixt her hands; and thereto the king kneeled devoutly, and said his

prayers, and so did all that were there. O Jesu, said Sir Launcelot,

what may this mean? This is, said the king, the richest thing that any

man hath living. And when this thing goeth about, the Round Table shall

be broken; and wit thou well, said the king, this is the holy Sangreal

that ye have here seen. So the king and Sir Launcelot led their life

the most part of that day. And fain would King Pelles have found the

mean to have had Sir Launcelot to have lain by his daughter, fair

Elaine. And for this intent: the king knew well that Sir Launcelot

should get a child upon his daughter, the which should be named Sir

Galahad the good knight, by whom all the foreign country should be

brought out of danger, and by him the Holy Greal should be achieved.

Then came forth a lady that hight Dame Brisen, and she said unto the

king: Sir, wit ye well Sir Launcelot loveth no lady in the world but

all only Queen Guenever; and therefore work ye by counsel, and I shall

make him to lie with your daughter, and he shall not wit but that he

lieth with Queen Guenever. O fair lady, Dame Brisen, said the king,

hope ye to bring this about? Sir, said she, upon pain of my life let me

deal; for this Brisen was one of the greatest enchantresses that was at

that time in the world living. Then anon by Dame Brisen’s wit she made

one to come to Sir Launcelot that he knew well. And this man brought

him a ring from Queen Guenever like as it had come from her, and such

one as she was wont for the most part to wear; and when Sir Launcelot

saw that token wit ye well he was never so fain. Where is my lady? said

Sir Launcelot. In the Castle of Case, said the messenger, but five mile

hence. Then Sir Launcelot thought to be there the same might. And then

this Brisen by the commandment of King Pelles let send Elaine to this

castle with twenty-five knights unto the Castle of Case. Then Sir

Launcelot against night rode unto that castle, and there anon he was

received worshipfully with such people, to his seeming, as were about

Queen Guenever secret.

So when Sir Launcelot was alighted, he asked where the queen was. So

Dame Brisen said she was in her bed; and then the people were avoided,

and Sir Launcelot was led unto his chamber. And then Dame Brisen

brought Sir Launcelot a cup full of wine; and anon as he had drunken

that wine he was so assotted and mad that he might make no delay, but

withouten any let he went to bed; and he weened that maiden Elaine had

been Queen Guenever. Wit you well that Sir Launcelot was glad, and so

was that lady Elaine that she had gotten Sir Launcelot in her arms. For

well she knew that same night should be gotten upon her Galahad that

should prove the best knight of the world; and so they lay together

until underne of the morn; and all the windows and holes of that

chamber were stopped that no manner of day might be seen. And then Sir

Launcelot remembered him, and he arose up and went to the window.