Chronicle and Romance (The Harvard Classics Series) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 553 pages of information about Chronicle and Romance (The Harvard Classics Series).

Chronicle and Romance (The Harvard Classics Series) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 553 pages of information about Chronicle and Romance (The Harvard Classics Series).
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.  For sooth, 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 achieve 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 hall, then was it so 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 happened suddenly that 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 annoyed him so much that the king himself arose and came to a window 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 forthinketh 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.

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Chronicle and Romance (The Harvard Classics Series) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.