greed. But
in nowise Sir Gawaine would not suffer the king to accord with Sir
Launcelot; but as for the queen he consented. And then the Bishop had
of the king his great seal, and his assurance as he was a true anointed
king that Sir Launcelot should come safe, and go safe, and that the
queen should not be spoken unto of the king, nor of none other, for no
thing done afore time past; and of all these appointments the Bishop
brought with him sure assurance and writing, to shew Sir Launcelot.

So when the Bishop was come to Joyous Gard, there he shewed Sir
Launcelot how the Pope had written to Arthur and unto him, and there he
told him the perils if he withheld the queen from the king. It was
never in my thought, said Launcelot, to withhold the queen from my lord
Arthur; but, insomuch she should have been dead for my sake, meseemeth
it was my part to save her life, and put her from that danger, till
better recover might come. And now I thank God, said Sir Launcelot, that
the Pope hath made her peace; for God knoweth, said Sir Launcelot, I
will be a thousandfold more gladder to bring her again, than ever I was
of her taking away; with this, I may be sure to come safe and go safe,
and that the queen shall have her liberty as she had before; and never
for no thing that hath been surmised afore this time, she never from
this day stand in no peril. For else, said Sir Launcelot, I dare
adventure me to keep her from an harder shour than ever I kept her. It
shall not need you, said the Bishop, to dread so much; for wit you well,
the Pope must be obeyed, and it were not the Pope's worship nor my poor
honesty to wit you distressed, neither the queen, neither in peril, nor
shamed. And then he shewed Sir Launcelot all his writing, both from the
Pope and from King Arthur. This is sure enough, said Sir Launcelot, for
full well I dare trust my lord's own writing and his seal, for he was
never shamed of his promise. Therefore, said Sir Launcelot unto the
Bishop, ye shall ride unto the king afore, and recommend me unto his
good grace, and let him have knowledging that this same day eight days,
by the grace of God, I myself shall bring my lady, Queen Guenever,
unto him. And then say ye unto my most redoubted king, that I will say
largely for the queen, that I shall none except for dread nor fear,
but the king himself, and my lord Sir Gawaine; and that is more for the
king's love than for himself.

So the Bishop departed and came to the ki