第 三百二十九 章 · How Sir Launcelot was displeased when he knew that he had

. How Sir Launcelot was displeased when he knew that he had

lain by Dame Elaine, and how she was delivered of Galahad.

And anon as he had unshut the window the enchantment was gone; then he

knew himself that he had done amiss. Alas, he said, that I have lived

so long; now I am shamed. So then he gat his sword in his hand and

said: Thou traitress, what art thou that I have lain by all this night?

thou shalt die right here of my hands. Then this fair lady Elaine

skipped out of her bed all naked, and kneeled down afore Sir Launcelot,

and said: Fair courteous knight, come of king’s blood, I require you

have mercy upon me, and as thou art renowned the most noble knight of

the world, slay me not, for I have in my womb him by thee that shall be

the most noblest knight of the world. Ah, false traitress, said Sir

Launcelot, why hast thou betrayed me? anon tell me what thou art. Sir,

she said, I am Elaine, the daughter of King Pelles. Well, said Sir

Launcelot, I will forgive you this deed; and therewith he took her up

in his arms, and kissed her, for she was as fair a lady, and thereto

lusty and young, and as wise, as any was that time living. So God me

help, said Sir Launcelot, I may not wite this to you; but her that made

this enchantment upon me as between you and me, an I may find her, that

same Lady Brisen, she shall lose her head for witchcrafts, for there

was never knight deceived so as I am this night. And so Sir Launcelot

arrayed him, and armed him, and took his leave mildly at that lady

young Elaine, and so he departed. Then she said: My lord Sir Launcelot,

I beseech you see me as soon as ye may, for I have obeyed me unto the

prophecy that my father told me. And by his commandment to fulfil this

prophecy I have given the greatest riches and the fairest flower that

ever I had, and that is my maidenhood that I shall never have again;

and therefore, gentle knight, owe me your good will.

And so Sir Launcelot arrayed him and was armed, and took his leave

mildly at that young lady Elaine; and so he departed, and rode till he

came to the Castle of Corbin, where her father was. And as fast as her

time came she was delivered of a fair child, and they christened him

Galahad; and wit ye well that child was well kept and well nourished,

and he was named Galahad because Sir Launcelot was so named at the

fountain stone; and after that the Lady of the Lake confirmed him Sir

Launcelot du Lake.

Then after this lady was delivered and churched, there came a knight

unto her, his name was Sir Bromel la Pleche, the which was a great

lord; and he had loved that lady long, and he evermore desired her to

wed her; and so by no mean she could put him off, till on a day she

said to Sir Bromel: Wit thou well, sir knight, I will not love you, for

my love is set upon the best knight of the world. Who is he? said Sir

Bromel. Sir, she said, it is Sir Launcelot du Lake that I love and none

other, and therefore woo me no longer. Ye say well, said Sir Bromel,

and sithen ye have told me so much, ye shall have but little joy of Sir

Launcelot, for I shall slay him wheresomever I meet him. Sir, said the

Lady Elaine, do to him no treason. Wit ye well, my lady, said Bromel,

and I promise you this twelvemonth I shall keep the pont of Corbin for

Sir Launcelot’s sake, that he shall neither come nor go unto you, but I

shall meet with him.