Chương Chương 422 · How Sir launcelot had lain four-and-twenty days and as

. How Sir launcelot had lain four-and-twenty days and as

many nights as a dead man, and other divers matters.

In such manner they kept Launcelot four-and-twenty days and all so many

nights, that ever he lay still as a dead man; and at the twenty-fifth

day befell him after midday that he opened his eyes. And when he saw

folk he made great sorrow, and said: Why have ye awaked me, for I was

more at ease than I am now. O Jesu Christ, who might be so blessed that

might see openly thy great marvels of secretness there where no sinner

may be! What have ye seen? said they about him. I have seen, said he,

so great marvels that no tongue may tell, and more than any heart can

think, and had not my son been here afore me I had seen much more.

Then they told him how he had lain there four-and-twenty days and

nights. Then him thought it was punishment for the four-and-twenty

years that he had been a sinner, wherefore Our Lord put him in penance

four-and-twenty days and nights. Then looked Sir Launcelot afore him,

and saw the hair which he had borne nigh a year, for that he

for-thought him right much that he had broken his promise unto the

hermit, which he had avowed to do. Then they asked how it stood with

him. Forsooth, said he, I am whole of body, thanked be Our Lord;

therefore, sirs, for God’s love tell me where I am. Then said they all

that he was in the castle of Carbonek.

Therewith came a gentlewoman and brought him a shirt of small linen

cloth, but he changed not there, but took the hair to him again. Sir,

said they, the quest of the Sangreal is achieved now right in you, that

never shall ye see of the Sangreal no more than ye have seen. Now I

thank God, said Launcelot, of His great mercy of that I have seen, for

it sufficeth me; for as I suppose no man in this world hath lived

better than I have done to enchieve that I have done. And therewith he

took the hair and clothed him in it, and above that he put a linen

shirt, and after a robe of scarlet, fresh and new. And when he was so

arrayed they marvelled all, for they knew him that he was Launcelot,

the good knight. And then they said all: O my lord Sir Launcelot, be

that ye? And he said: Truly I am he.

Then came word to King Pelles that the knight that had lain so long

dead was Sir Launcelot. Then was the king right glad, and went to see

him. And when Launcelot saw him come he dressed him against him, and

there made the king great joy of him. And there the king told him

tidings that his fair daughter was dead. Then Launcelot was right heavy

of it, and said: Sir, me forthinketh the death of your daughter, for

she was a full fair lady, fresh and young. And well I wot she bare the

best knight that is now on the earth, or that ever was sith God was

born. So the king held him there four days, and on the morrow he took

his leave at King Pelles and at all the fellowship, and thanked them of

their great labour.

Right so as they sat at their dinner in the chief salle, then was so

befallen that the Sangreal had fulfilled the table with all manner of

meats that any heart might think. So as they sat they saw all the doors

and the windows of the place were shut without man’s hand, whereof they

were all abashed, and none wist what to do.

And then it happed suddenly a knight came to the chief door and

knocked, and cried: Undo the door. But they would not. And ever he

cried: Undo; but they would not. And at last it noyed them so much that

the king himself arose and came to a window there where the knight

called. Then he said: Sir knight, ye shall not enter at this time while

the Sangreal is here, and therefore go into another; for certes ye be

none of the knights of the quest, but one of them which hath served the

fiend, and hast left the service of Our Lord: and he was passing wroth

at the king’s words. Sir knight, said the king, sith ye would so fain

enter, say me of what country ye be. Sir, said he, I am of the realm of

Logris, and my name is Ector de Maris, and brother unto my lord, Sir

Launcelot. In the name of God, said the king, me for-thinketh of what I

have said, for your brother is here within. And when Ector de Maris

understood that his brother was there, for he was the man in the world

that he most dread and loved, and then he said: Ah God, now doubleth my

sorrow and shame. Full truly said the good man of the hill unto Gawaine

and to me of our dreams. Then went he out of the court as fast as his

horse might, and so throughout the castle.