of
Eastland, and the queen of the Out Isles; now choose one of us which
thou wilt have to thy paramour, for thou mayest not choose or else
in this prison to die. This is an hard case, said Sir Launcelot, that
either I must die or else choose one of you, yet had I liefer to die in
this prison with worship, than to have one of you to my paramour maugre
my head. And therefore ye be answered, I will none of you, for ye be
false enchantresses, and as for my lady, Dame Guenever, were I at my
liberty as I was, I would prove it on you or on yours, that she is the
truest lady unto her lord living. Well, said the queens, is this your
answer, that ye will refuse us. Yea, on my life, said Sir Launcelot,
refused ye be of me. So they departed and left him there alone that made
great sorrow.

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Launcelot was delivered by the mean of a damosel.

RIGHT so at the noon came the damosel unto him with his dinner, and
asked him what cheer. Truly, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, in my
life days never so ill. Sir, she said, that me repenteth, but an ye will
be ruled by me, I shall help you out of this distress, and ye shall have
no shame nor villainy, so that ye hold me a promise. Fair damosel, I
will grant you, and sore I am of these queen-sorceresses afeard, for
they have destroyed many a good knight. Sir, said she, that is sooth,
and for the renown and bounty that they hear of you they would have your
love, and Sir, they say, your name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower
of knights, and they be passing wroth with you that ye have refused
them. But Sir, an ye would promise me to help my father on Tuesday
next coming, that hath made a tournament betwixt him and the King of
Northgalis--for the last Tuesday past my father lost the field through
three knights of Arthur's court--an ye will be there on Tuesday next
coming, and help my father, to-morn or prime, by the grace of God, I
shall deliver you clean. Fair maiden, said Sir Launcelot, tell me what
is your father's name, and then shall I give you an answer. Sir knight,
she said, my father is King Bagdemagus, that was foul rebuked at the
last tournament. I know your father well, said Sir Launcelot, for a
noble king and a good knight, and by the faith of my body, ye shall have
my body ready to do your father and you service at that day. Sir, she
said, gramercy, and to-morn await ye be ready betimes and I shall be she
that shall deliver you and take you your armour and