e took his way unto
Joyous Gard. And then ever after he called it the Dolorous Gard. And
thus departed Sir Launcelot from the court for ever.

And so when he came to Joyous Gard he called his fellowship unto him,
and asked them what they would do Then they answered all wholly together
with one voice they would as he would do. My fair fellows, said Sir
Launcelot, I must depart out of this most noble realm, and now I shall
depart it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with no worship, for a
flemed man departed never out of a realm with no worship; and that is my
heaviness, for ever I fear after my days that men shall chronicle upon
me that I was flemed out of this land; and else, my fair lords, be ye
sure, an I had not dread shame, my lady, Queen Guenever, and I should
never have departed.

Then spake many noble knights, as Sir Palomides, Sir Safere his brother,
and Sir Bellingere le Beuse, and Sir Urre, with Sir Lavaine, with many
others: Sir, an ye be so disposed to abide in this land we will never
fail you; and if ye list not to abide in this land there nis none of the
good knights that here be will fail you, for many causes. One is, all
we that be not of your blood shall never be welcome to the court.
And sithen it liked us to take a part with you in your distress and
heaviness in this realm, wit you well it shall like us as well to go in
other countries with you, and there to take such part as ye do. My fair
lords, said Sir Launcelot, I well understand you, and as I can, thank
you: and ye shall understand, such livelihood as I am born unto I shall
depart with you in this manner of wise; that is for to say, I shall
depart all my livelihood and all my lands freely among you, and I myself
will have as little as any of you, for have I sufficient that may long
to my person, I will ask none other rich array; and I trust to God to
maintain you on my lands as well as ever were maintained any knights.
Then spake all the knights at once: He have shame that will leave you;
for we all understand in this realm will be now no quiet, but ever
strife and debate, now the fellowship of the Round Table is broken; for
by the noble fellowship of the Round Table was King Arthur upborne, and
by their noblesse the king and all his realm was in quiet and rest, and
a great part they said all was because of your noblesse.

CHAPTER XVIII. How Sir Launcelot passed over the sea, and how he made
great lords of the knights that went with him