Sir Launcelot and Sir Ewaine and their ladies drew nigh
to the neighborhood of Camelot (which same was upon the fourth day after
they had left the valley of the Lady Vivien) Sir Launcelot sent an
herald messenger before them to announce their coming. So it befell that
when they came within sight of the town, they beheld a great concourse
of knights and esquires of the court who had come forth to meet them.
These gave loud acclaim to Sir Launcelot and his companions, crying,
"Welcome, ye glorious champions who are returning to us again!"

This welcome they gave on behalf of King Arthur, by whom they had been
sent, for the King was glad beyond measure to have those champions who
were so dear to his heart return to him once more. So it was that those
who came to meet them cried out, "Welcome, welcome, ye glorious
champions," in that wise. So rejoicing and giving welcome all they
progressed toward the King's town--Sir Launcelot and his lady and Sir
Ewaine and his lady, and their companions and all their courts,
surrounded with great pomp of circumstance by those knights and esquires
of the court of King Arthur, who had been sent to meet them.

And all they who had thus come forth from the town looked with great
curiosity upon the Lady Elaine and the Lady Lesolie and all were
astonished at the beauty and the grace of these two high dames. But more
especially were they astonished at the beauty of the Lady Elaine, for
her loveliness shone like to a star in the midst of her court, wherefore
they who looked upon her said to one another: "Certes, even Queen
Guinevere herself is not more beautiful than yonder lady."

[Sidenote: _They kneel before the King and the Queen._]

So they came to the King's town and they entered the town and they
entered the castle of the King, and there they found King Arthur and
Queen Guinevere sitting in state to receive them. Both the King and the
Queen were crowned with golden crowns, and each sat upon a throne to
receive those who came in fitting pomp and with sufficient ceremony. So
Sir Launcelot and the Lady Elaine and all those who were with them came
before the King and Queen and kneeled down before them as they sat high
aloft in royal state. Then as they kneeled there the King arose and
descended from his throne and came forward and gave great welcome to
them all; for his heart was filled with gladness and joy to behold them
kneeling before him in that wise.

And all that while the Queen's