ear. Ah, peace,
madam, said Dame Brisen, I will undertake that this night he shall lie
with you, an ye would hold you still. That were me liefer, said Dame
Elaine, than all the gold that is above the earth. Let me deal, said
Dame Brisen. So when Elaine was brought unto Queen Guenever either made
other good cheer by countenance, but nothing with hearts. But all men
and women spake of the beauty of Dame Elaine, and of her great riches.

Then, at night, the queen commanded that Dame Elaine should sleep in a
chamber nigh her chamber, and all under one roof; and so it was done as
the queen commanded. Then the queen sent for Sir Launcelot and bade him
come to her chamber that night: Or else I am sure, said the queen, that
ye will go to your lady's bed, Dame Elaine, by whom ye gat Galahad. Ah,
madam, said Sir Launcelot, never say ye so, for that I did was against
my will. Then, said the queen, look that ye come to me when I send for
you. Madam, said Launcelot, I shall not fail you, but I shall be ready
at your commandment. This bargain was soon done and made between them,
but Dame Brisen knew it by her crafts, and told it to her lady, Dame
Elaine. Alas, said she, how shall I do? Let me deal, said Dame Brisen,
for I shall bring him by the hand even to your bed, and he shall ween
that I am Queen Guenever's messenger. Now well is me, said Dame Elaine,
for all the world I love not so much as I do Sir Launcelot.

CHAPTER VIII. How Dame Brisen by enchantment brought Sir Launcelot to
Dame Elaine's bed, and how Queen Guenever rebuked him.

SO when time came that all folks were abed, Dame Brisen came to Sir
Launcelot's bed's side and said: Sir Launcelot du Lake, sleep you? My
lady, Queen Guenever, lieth and awaiteth upon you. O my fair lady, said
Sir Launcelot, I am ready to go with you where ye will have me. So Sir
Launcelot threw upon him a long gown, and his sword in his hand; and
then Dame Brisen took him by the finger and led him to her lady's bed,
Dame Elaine; and then she departed and left them in bed together. Wit
you well the lady was glad, and so was Sir Launcelot, for he weened that
he had had another in his arms.

Now leave we them kissing and clipping, as was kindly thing; and
now speak we of Queen Guenever that sent one of her women unto Sir
Launcelot's bed; and when she came there she found the bed cold, and
he was away; so she came to the queen and told her all. Alas, said the
queen, where is that false knight