s succeeded in keeping you from me, but, in spite of him, Kay the
seneschal has looked upon you last night, and has done what he pleased
with you, as can readily be proved." "What is that?" she asks. "Since I
must speak, I find blood on your sheets, which proves the fact. I know
it and can prove it, because I find on both your sheets and his the
blood which issued from his wounds: the evidence is very strong."
Then the Queen saw on both beds the bloody sheets, and marvelling, she
blushed with shame and said: "So help me God, this blood which I see
upon my sheets was never brought here by Kay, but my nose bled during
the night, and I suppose it must be from my nose." In saying so, she
thinks she tells the truth. "By my head," says Meleagant, "there is
nothing in what you say. Swearing is of no avail, for you are taken
in your guilt, and the truth will soon be proved." Then he said to the
guards who were present: "Gentlemen, do not move, and see to it that the
sheets are not taken from the bed until I return. I wish the king to do
me justice, as soon as he has seen the truth." Then he searched until he
found him, and failing at his feet, he said: "Sire, come to see what
you have failed to guard. Come to see the Queen, and you shall see the
certain marvels which I have already seen and tested. But, before you
go, I beg you not to fail to be just and upright toward me. You know
well to what danger I have exposed myself for the Queen; yet, you are no
friend of mine and keep her from me under guard. This morning I went to
see her in her bed, and I remarked that Kay lies with her every night.
Sire, for God's sake, be not angry, if I am disgruntled and if I
complain. For it is very humiliating for me to be hated and despised by
one with whom Kay is allowed to lie." "Silence!" says the king; "I don't
believe it." "Then come, my lord, and see the sheets and the state in
which Kay has left them. Since you will not believe my words, and since
you think I am lying, I will show you the sheets and the quilt covered
with blood from Kay's wounds." "Come now," says the king, "I wish to
see for myself, and my eyes will judge of the truth." Then the king goes
directly to the room, where the Queen got up at his approach. He sees
that the sheets are blood-stained on her bed and on Kay's alike and he
says: "Lady, it is going badly now, if what my son has said is true."
Then she replies: "So help me God, never even in a dream was uttered
such a