hee, in despite of Queen Guenever. Ye say
well, said Sir Launcelot, Jesu preserve me from your subtle crafts. And
therewithal he took his horse and so departed from her. And as the book
saith, when Sir Launcelot was departed she took such sorrow that she
died within a fourteen night, and her name was Hellawes the sorceress,
Lady of the Castle Nigramous.

Anon Sir Launcelot met with the damosel, Sir Meliot's sister. And when
she saw him she clapped her hands, and wept for joy. And then they rode
unto a castle thereby where lay Sir Meliot. And anon as Sir Launcelot
saw him he knew him, but he was passing pale, as the earth, for
bleeding. When Sir Meliot saw Sir Launcelot he kneeled upon his knees
and cried on high: O lord Sir Launcelot, help me! Anon Sir Launcelot
leapt unto him and touched his wounds with Sir Gilbert's sword. And then
he wiped his wounds with a part of the bloody cloth that Sir Gilbert was
wrapped in, and anon an wholer man in his life was he never. And then
there was great joy between them, and they made Sir Launcelot all the
cheer that they might, and so on the morn Sir Launcelot took his leave,
and bade Sir Meliot hie him to the court of my lord Arthur, for it
draweth nigh to the Feast of Pentecost, and there by the grace of God ye
shall find me. And therewith they departed.

CHAPTER XVI. How Sir Launcelot at the request of a lady recovered a
falcon, by which he was deceived.

AND so Sir Launcelot rode through many strange countries, over marshes
and valleys, till by fortune he came to a fair castle, and as he passed
beyond the castle him thought he heard two bells ring. And then was he
ware of a falcon came flying over his head toward an high elm, and long
lunes about her feet, and as she flew unto the elm to take her perch the
lunes over-cast about a bough. And when she would have taken her flight
she hung by the legs fast; and Sir Launcelot saw how she hung, and
beheld the fair falcon perigot, and he was sorry for her.

The meanwhile came a lady out of the castle and cried on high: O
Launcelot, Launcelot, as thou art flower of all knights, help me to get
my hawk, for an my hawk be lost my lord will destroy me; for I kept the
hawk and she slipped from me, and if my lord my husband wit it he is
so hasty that he will slay me. What is your lord's name? said Sir
Launcelot. Sir, she said, his name is Sir Phelot, a knight that longeth
unto the King of Northgalis. Well, fair lady, since that ye know