me. So it
was no boot to strive, but he departed and rode westerly, and there he
sought a seven or eight days; and at the last he came to a nunnery,
and then was Queen Guenever ware of Sir Launcelot as he walked in the
cloister. And when she saw him there she swooned thrice, that all the
ladies and gentlewomen had work enough to hold the queen up. So when
she might speak, she called ladies and gentlewomen to her, and said: Ye
marvel, fair ladies, why I make this fare. Truly, she said, it is for
the sight of yonder knight that yonder standeth; wherefore I pray you
all call him to me.

When Sir Launcelot was brought to her, then she said to all the ladies:
Through this man and me hath all this war been wrought, and the death of
the most noblest knights of the world; for through our love that we have
loved together is my most noble lord slain. Therefore, Sir Launcelot,
wit thou well I am set in such a plight to get my soul-heal; and yet
I trust through God's grace that after my death to have a sight of the
blessed face of Christ, and at domesday to sit on his right side, for as
sinful as ever I was are saints in heaven. Therefore, Sir Launcelot, I
require thee and beseech thee heartily, for all the love that ever was
betwixt us, that thou never see me more in the visage; and I command
thee, on God's behalf, that thou forsake my company, and to thy kingdom
thou turn again, and keep well thy realm from war and wrack; for as
well as I have loved thee, mine heart will not serve me to see thee,
for through thee and me is the flower of kings and knights destroyed;
therefore, Sir Launcelot, go to thy realm, and there take thee a wife,
and live with her with joy and bliss; and I pray thee heartily, pray for
me to our Lord that I may amend my misliving. Now, sweet madam, said Sir
Launcelot, would ye that I should now return again unto my country, and
there to wed a lady? Nay, madam, wit you well that shall I never do, for
I shall never be so false to you of that I have promised; but the same
destiny that ye have taken you to, I will take me unto, for to please
Jesu, and ever for you I cast me specially to pray. If thou wilt do so,
said the queen, hold thy promise, but I may never believe but that thou
wilt turn to the world again. Well, madam, said he, ye say as pleaseth
you, yet wist you me never false of my promise, and God defend but
I should forsake the world as ye have done. For in the quest of the
Sangreal I had forsaken the