Then Sir Launcelot sighed heavily and said:  “Full well I see that no sorrow of mine for what is past availeth me.”  Then he went to the Queen where she sat, and said:  “Madam, the time is come when I must leave this fair realm that I have loved.  Think well of me, I pray you, and send for me if ever there be aught in which a true knight may serve lady.”  Therewith he turned him about and, without greeting to any, passed through the hall, and with his faithful knights rode to the Joyous Garde, though ever thereafter, in memory of that sad day, he called it the Dolorous Garde.

There he called about him his friends and kinsmen, saying:  “Fair Knights, I must now pass into my own lands.”  Then they all, with one voice, cried that they would go with him.  So he thanked them, promising them all fair estates and great honour when they were come to his kingdom; for all France belonged to Sir Launcelot.  Yet was he loth to leave the land where he had followed so many glorious adventures, and sore he mourned to part in anger from King Arthur.  “My mind misgives me,” said Sir Launcelot, “but that trouble shall come of Sir Mordred, for he is envious and a mischief-maker, and it grieves me that never more I may serve Sir Arthur and his realm.”

So Sir Launcelot sorrowed; but his kinsmen were wroth for the dishonour done him, and making haste to depart, by the fifteenth day they were all embarked to sail overseas to France.

CHAPTER XXXIV

HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAIN WENT TO FRANCE

From the day when Sir Launcelot brought the Queen to Carlisle, never would Gawain suffer the King to be at rest; but always he desired him to call his army together that they might go to attack Sir Launcelot in his own land.

Now King Arthur was loth to war against Sir Launcelot; and seeing this, Sir Gawain upbraided him bitterly.  “I see well it is naught to you that my brother, Sir Gareth, died fulfilling your behest.  Little ye care if all your knights be slain, if only the traitor Launcelot escape.  Since, then, ye will not do me justice nor avenge your own nephew, I and my fellows will take the traitor when and how we may.  He trusts in his own might that none can encounter with him; let see if we may not entrap him.”

Thus urged, King Arthur called his army together and bade collect a great fleet; for rather would he fight openly with Sir Launcelot than that Sir Gawain should bring such dishonour upon himself as to slay a noble knight treacherously.  So with a great host, the King passed overseas to France, leaving Sir Mordred to rule Britain in his stead.

When Launcelot heard that King Arthur and Sir Gawain were coming against him, he withdrew into the strong castle of Benwick; for unwilling indeed was he to fight with the King, or to do an injury to Sir Gareth’s brother.  The army passed through the land, laying it waste, and presently encamped about the castle, laying close siege to it; but so thick were the walls, and so watchful the garrison, that in no way could they prevail against it.