บทที่ บทที่ 433 · How Sir Mador appeached the queen of treason, and there was

. How Sir Mador appeached the queen of treason, and there was

no knight would fight for her at the first time.

And ever Sir Mador stood still afore the king, and ever he appealed the

queen of treason; for the custom was such that time that all manner of

shameful death was called treason. Fair lords, said King Arthur, me

repenteth of this trouble, but the case is so I may not have ado in

this matter, for I must be a rightful judge; and that repenteth me that

I may not do battle for my wife, for as I deem this deed came never by

her. And therefore I suppose she shall not be all distained, but that

some good knight shall put his body in jeopardy for my queen rather

than she shall be brent in a wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir Mador,

be not so hasty, for it may happen she shall not be all friendless; and

therefore desire thou thy day of battle, and she shall purvey her of

some good knight that shall answer you, or else it were to me great

shame, and to all my court.

My gracious lord, said Sir Mador, ye must hold me excused, for though

ye be our king in that degree, ye are but a knight as we are, and ye

are sworn unto knighthood as well as we; and therefore I beseech you

that ye be not displeased, for there is none of the four-and-twenty

knights that were bidden to this dinner but all they have great

suspicion unto the queen. What say ye all, my lords? said Sir Mador.

Then they answered by and by that they could not excuse the queen; for

why she made the dinner, and either it must come by her or by her

servants. Alas, said the queen, I made this dinner for a good intent,

and never for none evil, so Almighty God me help in my right, as I was

never purposed to do such evil deeds, and that I report me unto God.

My lord, the king, said Sir Mador, I require you as ye be a righteous

king give me a day that I may have justice. Well, said the king, I give

the day this day fifteen days that thou be ready armed on horseback in

the meadow beside Westminster. And if it so fall that there be any

knight to encounter with you, there mayst thou do the best, and God

speed the right. And if it so fall that there be no knight at that day,

then must my queen be burnt, and there she shall be ready to have her

judgment. I am answered, said Sir Mador. And every knight went where it

liked them.

So when the king and the queen were together the king asked the queen

how this case befell. The queen answered: So God me help, I wot not how

or in what manner. Where is Sir Launcelot? said King Arthur; an he were

here he would not grudge to do battle for you. Sir, said the queen, I

wot not where he is, but his brother and his kinsmen deem that he be

not within this realm. That me repenteth, said King Arthur, for an he

were here he would soon stint this strife. Then I will counsel you,

said the king, and unto Sir Bors: That ye will do battle for her for

Sir Launcelot’s sake, and upon my life he will not refuse you. For well

I see, said the king, that none of these four-and-twenty knights that

were with you at your dinner where Sir Patrise was slain, that will do

battle for you, nor none of them will say well of you, and that shall

be a great slander for you in this court. Alas, said the queen, and I

may not do withal, but now I miss Sir Launcelot, for an he were here he

would put me soon to my heart’s ease. What aileth you, said the king,

ye cannot keep Sir Launcelot upon your side? For wit ye well, said the

king, who that hath Sir Launcelot upon his part hath the most man of

worship in the world upon his side. Now go your way, said the king unto

the queen, and require Sir Bors to do battle for you for Sir

Launcelot’s sake.