to the people.  And then Launcelot marvelled not a little, for him thought the priest was so greatly charged of the figure that him seemed that he should fall to the earth.  And when he saw none about him that would help him, then came he to the door a great pace, and said:  Fair Father Jesu Christ, ne take it for no sin though I help the good man which hath great need of help.  Right so entered he into the chamber, and came toward the table of silver; and when he came nigh he felt a breath, that him thought it was intermeddled with fire, which smote him so sore in the visage that him thought it brent his visage; and therewith he fell to the earth, and had no power to arise, as he that was so araged, that had lost the power of his body, and his hearing, and his seeing.  Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and bare him out of the chamber door, without any amending of his swoon, and left him there, seeming dead to all people.  So upon the morrow when it was fair day they within were arisen, and found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door.  All they marvelled how that he came in, and so they looked upon him, and felt his pulse to wit whether there were any life in him; and so they found life in him, but he might not stand nor stir no member that he had.  And so they took him by every part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed, far from all folk; and so he lay four days.  Then the one said he was on live, and the other said, Nay.  In the name of God, said an old man, for I do you verily to wit he is not dead, but he is so full of life as the mightiest of you all; and therefore I counsel you that he be well kept till God send him life again.

CHAPTER XVI

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 forethought