ey
rode together till they came to the hermitage. Anon she alighted, and
Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir Launcelot. So this maiden, Elaine,
never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day and night, and did
such attendance to him that the French book saith there was never woman
did kindlier for man than she.

After a long while he was healed of his wounds, and so upon a morn they
took their horses, and Elaine le Blank with them, and departed from the
hermit. And when they came to Astolat, there they were well lodged,
and had great cheer of Sir Bernard the old baron, and of Sir Tirre his
son.

When Sir Launcelot should depart from Astolat for to return to King
Arthur's court, fair Elaine seemed like to die for love of him and for
sorrow at his going. But Sir Launcelot loved only Queen Guenever, and
thought never to be wedded man, and could only grieve at her great
sorrow; and for her good will and great kindness he promised that,
whensoever she should set her heart upon some good knight that would
wed her, he would give her a thousand pounds yearly, and always while
he lived be her own true knight.

Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and with Sir Lavaine he came unto
Winchester. And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come whole and
sound, he made great joy of him, and so did all the knights of the
Round Table except Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred.

Now speak we of the Fair Maiden of Astolat, that made such sorrow day
and night that she never slept, ate, or drank, and ever she made her
lament for Sir Launcelot. When she had thus endured a ten days, and
weakened so that she must needs pass out of this world, she prepared
for death, but ever she mourned for Sir Launcelot.

Then her priest bade her leave such thoughts; but she said, "Why should
I leave such thoughts? Am I not an earthly woman? And all the while
the breath is in my body I may lament, for I do none offence, though I
love an earthly man, and I take God to my record I never loved any but
Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and as I am a pure maiden I never shall.
And since it is the sufferance of God that I shall die for the love of
so noble a knight, I beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy
upon my soul; and sweet Lord Jesu, I take Thee to record, I was never
great offender against Thy laws, but that I loved this noble knight Sir
Launcelot out of measure, and of myself, good Lord, I might not
withstand the fervent love wherefore I have my