hen wept Dame Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis; and so they
departed, and Sir Bors rode straight unto Queen Guenever. And when she
saw Sir Bors she wept as she were wood. Fie on your weeping, said Sir
Bors de Ganis, for ye weep never but when there is no bote. Alas, said
Sir Bors, that ever Sir Launcelot's kin saw you, for now have ye lost
the best knight of our blood, and he that was all our leader and our
succour; and I dare say and make it good that all kings, christian nor
heathen, may not find such a knight, for to speak of his nobleness and
courtesy, with his beauty and his gentleness. Alas, said Sir Bors, what
shall we do that be of his blood? Alas, said Sir Ector de Maris. Alas,
said Lionel.

CHAPTER X. What sorrow Queen Guenever made for Sir Launcelot, and how he
was sought by knights of his kin.

AND when the queen heard them say so she fell to the earth in a dead
swoon. And then Sir Bors took her up, and dawed her; and when she was
awaked she kneeled afore the three knights, and held up both her hands,
and besought them to seek him. And spare not for no goods but that he be
found, for I wot he is out of his mind. And Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir
Lionel departed from the queen, for they might not abide no longer for
sorrow. And then the queen sent them treasure enough for their expenses,
and so they took their horses and their armour, and departed. And then
they rode from country to country, in forests, and in wilderness, and
in wastes; and ever they laid watch both at forests and at all manner of
men as they rode, to hearken and spere after him, as he that was a naked
man, in his shirt, with a sword in his hand. And thus they rode nigh a
quarter of a year, endlong and overthwart, in many places, forests and
wilderness, and oft-times were evil lodged for his sake; and yet for all
their labour and seeking could they never hear word of him. And wit you
well these three knights were passing sorry.

Then at the last Sir Bors and his fellows met with a knight that hight
Sir Melion de Tartare. Now fair knight, said Sir Bors, whither be ye
away? for they knew either other afore time. Sir, said Melion, I am
in the way toward the court of King Arthur. Then we pray you, said Sir
Bors, that ye will tell my lord Arthur, and my lady, Queen Guenever, and
all the fellowship of the Round Table, that we cannot in no wise hear
tell where Sir Launcelot is become. Then Sir Melion departed from
them, and said that he w