essire, I will do whatever you command me to do," for he was
overwhelmed with the terror of Sir Launcelot's wrath as he had displayed
it that day. And the porter said, "Messire, have mercy on us all and I
will take you to the Queen."

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot rescueth the Queen._]

So the porter brought Sir Launcelot to where the Queen was, and where
were those others with her. Then all these gave great joy and loud
acclaim that Sir Launcelot had rescued them out of their captivity. And
Queen Guinevere said: "What said I to you awhile since? Did I not say
that it mattered not how Sir Launcelot came hither even if it were in a
cart? For lo! though he came thus humbly and in lowly wise, yet he hath
done marvellous deeds of knightly prowess, and hath liberated us all
from our captivity."

After that Sir Launcelot commanded them that they should make ready such
horses as might be needed. And he commanded that they should fetch
litters for those knights of the Queen's court who had been wounded, and
all that was done as he commanded. After that they all departed from
that place and turned their way toward Camelot and the court of the
King.

But Sir Launcelot did not again see that damsel Elouise the Fair, for
she kept herself close shut in her own bower and would see naught of any
one because of the grief and the shame of all that had passed. At that
Sir Launcelot took much sorrow, for he was greatly grieved that he
should have brought any trouble upon one who had been so friendly with
him as she had been. Yet he wist not how he could otherwise have done
than as he did do, and he could think of naught to comfort her.

* * * * *

So ends this adventure of the Knight of the Cart with only this to say:
that after that time there was much offence taken that Sir Launcelot had
gone upon that adventure riding in a cart. For many jests were made of
it as I have said, and many of the King's court were greatly grieved
that so unworthy a thing should have happened.

[Sidenote: _His kinsmen chide Sir Launcelot._]

More especially were the kinsmen of Sir Launcelot offended at what he
had done. Wherefore Sir Lionel and Sir Ector came to Sir Launcelot and
Sir Ector said to him: "That was a very ill thing you did to ride to
that adventure in a cart. Now prythee tell us why you did such a thing
as that when you might easily have got a fresh horse for to ride upon if
you had chosen to do so."

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