บทที่ บทที่ 388 · How Sir Launcelot jousted with many knights, and how he was

. How Sir Launcelot jousted with many knights, and how he was

taken.

And then mounted upon his horse, and rode into a forest, and held no

highway. And as he looked afore him he saw a fair plain, and beside

that a fair castle, and afore the castle were many pavilions of silk

and of diverse hue. And him seemed that he saw there five hundred

knights riding on horseback; and there were two parties: they that were

of the castle were all on black horses and their trappings black, and

they that were without were all on white horses and trappings, and

everych hurtled to other that it marvelled Sir Launcelot. And at the

last him thought they of the castle were put to the worse.

Then thought Sir Launcelot for to help there the weaker party in

increasing of his chivalry. And so Sir Launcelot thrust in among the

party of the castle, and smote down a knight, horse and man, to the

earth. And then he rashed here and there, and did marvellous deeds of

arms. And then he drew out his sword, and struck many knights to the

earth, so that all those that saw him marvelled that ever one knight

might do so great deeds of arms.

But always the white knights held them nigh about Sir Launcelot, for to

tire him and wind him. But at the last, as a man may not ever endure,

Sir Launcelot waxed so faint of fighting and travailing, and was so

weary of his great deeds, but he might not lift up his arms for to give

one stroke, so that he weened never to have borne arms; and then they

all took and led him away into a forest, and there made him to alight

and to rest him.

And then all the fellowship of the castle were overcome for the default

of him.

Then they said all unto Sir Launcelot: Blessed be God that ye be now of

our fellowship, for we shall hold you in our prison; and so they left

him with few words.

And then Sir Launcelot made great sorrow, For never or now was I never

at tournament nor jousts but I had the best, and now I am shamed; and

then he said: Now I am sure that I am more sinfuller than ever I was.

Thus he rode sorrowing, and half a day he was out of despair, till that

he came into a deep valley. And when Sir Launcelot saw he might not

ride up into the mountain, he there alighted under an apple tree, and

there he left his helm and his shield, and put his horse unto pasture.

And then he laid him down to sleep. And then him thought there came an

old man afore him, the which said: Ah, Launcelot of evil faith and poor

belief, wherefore is thy will turned so lightly toward thy deadly sin?

And when he had said thus he vanished away, and Launcelot wist not

where he was become. Then he took his horse, and armed him; and as he

rode by the way he saw a chapel where was a recluse, which had a window

that she might see up to the altar. And all aloud she called Launcelot,

for that he seemed a knight errant. And then he came, and she asked him

what he was, and of what place, and where about he went to seek.