and the wheel so movable, there
is no constant abiding. Wit ye well, Sir Gawaine, I may live upon my
lands as well as any knight that here is. And if ye, most redoubted
King, will come upon my lands with Sir Gawaine, to war upon me, I must
endure you as well as I may. But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that ye
come there, I pray you charge me not with treason or felony, for if ye
do, I must answer you."

Then Sir Launcelot said unto Guenever, in hearing of the King and them
all, "Madam, now I must depart from you and this noble fellowship for
ever; and since it is so, I beseech you to pray for me, and say me
well; and if ye be hard bestead by any false tongues lightly, my lady,
let send me word, and if any knight's hands may deliver you by battle,
I shall deliver you."

Therewithal Sir Launcelot kissed the Queen, and then he said all
openly: "Now let see what he be in this place, that dare say the Queen
is not true unto my lord Arthur; let see who will speak, if he dare."

Then he brought her to the King, and so took his leave and departed.
And there was neither king, duke nor earl, baron nor knight, lady nor
gentlewoman, but all they wept as people out of their mind, except Sir
Gawaine; and when the noble Sir Launcelot took his horse, to ride out
of Carlisle, there was sobbing and weeping for pure dole of his
departing. So he took his way unto Joyous Gard, that ever after he
called Dolorous Gard, and thus left the court for ever.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE INVADED
SIR LAUNCELOT'S REALM

When Sir Launcelot came again to Joyous Gard from Carlisle, he called
his fellowship unto him, and asked them what they would do. Then they
answered all wholly together with one voice, they would as he would do.

"My fair fellows," said he: "I must depart out of this most noble
realm. And now I am to depart, it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart
with no honour. A banished man departed never out of any realm with
honour; and that is my heaviness, for ever I fear that after my days
they will chronicle upon me that I was banished out of this land."

Then spake many noble knights: "Sir, we will never fail. Since it
liked us to take a part with you in your distress and heaviness in this
realm, wit ye well it shall like us as well to go in other countries
with you, and there to take such part as ye do."

"My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "I well understand you, and, as I
can, thank you. And