e for default of my knights."

"Sir," saith Lucan, "Herein is there nought whereof you have right to
accuse any save yourself alone. For you have done evil unto him that
hath served you, and good unto them that are traitors to you. You have
one of the best knights in the world and the most loyal in your prison,
wherefore all the other hold them aloof from your court. Lancelot had
served you well by his good will and by his good knighthood, nor never
had he done you any disservice whereof you might in justice have done
him such shame; nor never will your enemies withhold them from you nor
have dread of you save only through him and other your good knights.
And know of a truth that Lancelot and Messire Gawain are the best of
your court."

"Lucan," saith King Arthur, "So thought I ever again to have affiance
in him, I would make him be set forth of my prison, for well I know
that I have wrought discourteously toward him; and Lancelot is of a
great heart, wherefore would he not slacken of his despite for that
which hath been done unto him until such time as he should be avenged
thereof, for no king is there in the world, how puissant soever he be,
against whom he durst not well maintain his right."

III.

"Sir," saith Lucan, "Lancelot well knoweth that and you had taken no
counsel but your own, he would not have been thus entreated, and I dare
well say that never so long as he liveth will he misdo in aught towards
you, for he hath in him much valour and loyalty, as many a time have
you had good cause to know. Wherefore, and you would fain have aid and
succour and hold your realm again, behoveth you set him forth of the
prison, or otherwise never will you succeed herein, and, if you do not
so, you will lose your land by treason."

The King held by the counsel of Lucan the Butler. He made bring
Lancelot before him into the midst of the hall, that was somewhat made
ean of his being in prison, but he bore him as he wont, nor might none
look at him to whom he seemed not to be good knight. "Lancelot," saith
the King, "How is it with you?"

"Sir," saith he, "It hath been ill with me long time, but, please God,
it shall be better hereafter."

"Lancelot," saith the King, "I repent me of this that I have done to
you, and I have bethought me much of the good services I have found in
you, wherefore I will do you amends thereof at your will, in such sort
as that the love between us shall be whole as it was tofore."

I