saith she, "whether I shall have either loss or gain
thereof, but high time already is it that I should ask you it to my
sorrow, for many a time have I been deceived therein."

"Damsel," saith he, "I am called Lancelot of the Lake."

"You ought of right," saith she, "to have the sword and the cloth; but
come you with me to my castle, for oftentimes have I desired that you
and Perceval and Messire Gawain should see the three tombs that I have
made for your three selves."

V.

"Damsel," saith he, "No wish have I to see my sepulchre so early
betimes."

"By my head," saith she, "And you come not thither, you may not issue
from hence without tribulation; and they that you see there are earthly
fiends that guard this grave-yard and are at my commandment."

"Never, damsel, please God," saith Lancelot, "may your devils have
power to harm a Christian."

"Ha, Lancelot," saith she, "I beseech and pray you that you come with
me into my castle, and I will save your life as at this time from this
folk that are just now ready to fall upon you; and, so you are not
willing to do this, yield me back the sword that you have taken from
the coffin, and go your way at once."

"Damsel," saith Lancelot, "Into your castle may I not go, nor desire I
to go, wherefore pray me no more thereof, for other business have I to
do; nor will I yield you back the sword, whatsoever may befall me, for
a certain knight may not otherwise be healed, and great pity it were
that he should die."

"Ha, Lancelot," saith she, "How hard and cruel do I find you towards
me! And as good cause have I to be sorry that you have the sword as
have you to be glad. For, and you had not had it upon you, never
should you have carried it off from hence at your will; rather should I
have had all my pleasure of you, and I would have made you be borne
into my castle, from whence never should you nave moved again for
nought you might do; and thus should I have been quit of the wardenship
of this chapel and of coming thereinto in such manner as now oftentimes
I needs must come.

VI.

"But now am I taken in a trap, for, so long as you have the sword, not
one of them that are there yonder can do you evil nor hinder you of
going."

Of this was Lancelot not sorry. He taketh leave of the damsel, that
departeth grudgingly, garnisheth him again of his arms, then mounteth
again on his horse and goeth his way right through the grave-yard. He
beholdeth this evil folk, th