m whom we have been long, and to
rest us, for your journey is finished with honour and worship. Then
said the king, Ye say truth, and for to tempt God it is no wisdom, and
therefore make you ready and return we into England. Then there was
trussing of harness and baggage and great carriage. And after licence
given, he returned and commanded that no man in pain of death should not
rob nor take victual, nor other thing by the way but that he should pay
therefore. And thus he came over the sea and landed at Sandwich, against
whom Queen Guenever his wife came and met him, and he was nobly received
of all his commons in every city and burgh, and great gifts presented to
him at his home-coming to welcome him with.

Thus endeth the fifth book of the conquest that King Arthur had against
Lucius the Emperor of Rome, and here followeth the sixth book, which is
of Sir Launcelot du Lake.

BOOK VI.

CHAPTER I. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel departed from the court, and
how Sir Lionel left him sleeping and was taken.

SOON after that King Arthur was come from Rome into England, then all
the knights of the Table Round resorted unto the king, and made many
jousts and tournaments, and some there were that were but knights, which
increased so in arms and worship that they passed all their fellows
in prowess and noble deeds, and that was well proved on many; but in
especial it was proved on Sir Launcelot du Lake, for in all tournaments
and jousts and deeds of arms, both for life and death, he passed all
other knights, and at no time he was never overcome but if it were by
treason or enchantment; so Sir Launcelot increased so marvellously in
worship, and in honour, therefore is he the first knight that the French
book maketh mention of after King Arthur came from Rome. Wherefore Queen
Guenever had him in great favour above all other knights, and in certain
he loved the queen again above all other ladies and damosels of his
life, and for her he did many deeds of arms, and saved her from the fire
through his noble chivalry.

Thus Sir Launcelot rested him long with play and game. And then he
thought himself to prove himself in strange adventures, then he bade
his nephew, Sir Lionel, for to make him ready; for we two will seek
adventures. So they mounted on their horses, armed at all rights, and
rode into a deep forest and so into a deep plain. And then the weather
was hot about noon, and Sir Launcelot had great lust to sleep.