use her person, notwithstanding I was
there by a forecast near slain, but as Jesu provided me I escaped all
their malice and treason. And then that noble knight Sir Launcelot told
them all how he was hard bestead in the queen's chamber, and how and in
what manner he escaped from them. And therefore, said Sir Launcelot, wit
you well, my fair lords, I am sure there nis but war unto me and mine.
And for because I have slain this night these knights, I wot well, as
is Sir Agravaine Sir Gawaine's brother, and at the least twelve of his
fellows, for this cause now I am sure of mortal war, for these knights
were sent and ordained by King Arthur to betray me. And therefore the
king will in his heat and malice judge the queen to the fire, and that
may I not suffer, that she should be brent for my sake; for an I may be
heard and suffered and so taken, I will fight for the queen, that she is
a true lady unto her lord; but the king in his heat I dread me will not
take me as I ought to be taken.

CHAPTER VI. Of the counsel and advice that was taken by Sir Launcelot
and his friends for to save the queen.

MY lord, Sir Launcelot, said Sir Bors, by mine advice ye shall take the
woe with the weal, and take it in patience, and thank God of it. And
sithen it is fallen as it is, I counsel you keep yourself, for an ye
will yourself, there is no fellowship of knights christened that shall
do you wrong. Also I will counsel you my lord, Sir Launcelot, than an
my lady, Queen Guenever, be in distress, insomuch as she is in pain for
your sake, that ye knightly rescue her; an ye did otherwise, all the
world will speak of you shame to the world's end. Insomuch as ye were
taken with her, whether ye did right or wrong, it is now your part to
hold with the queen, that she be not slain and put to a mischievous
death, for an she so die the shame shall be yours. Jesu defend me from
shame, said Sir Launcelot, and keep and save my lady the queen from
villainy and shameful death, and that she never be destroyed in my
default; wherefore my fair lords, my kin, and my friends, said Sir
Launcelot, what will ye do? Then they said all: We will do as ye will
do. I put this to you, said Sir Launcelot, that if my lord Arthur by
evil counsel will to-morn in his heat put my lady the queen to the fire
there to be brent, now I pray you counsel me what is best to do. Then
they said all at once with one voice: Sir, us thinketh best that ye
knightly rescue the queen