satisfaction, and said
that he would perform whatever request he might make.

(Vv. 173-246.) "Sire," says Kay, "hear now what I desire, and what is
the gift you have promised me. I esteem myself very fortunate to gain
such a boon with your consent. Sire, you have pledged your word that you
would entrust to me my lady here, and that we should go after the knight
who awaits us in the forest." Though the King is grieved, he trusts him
with the charge, for he never went back upon his word. But it made
him so ill-humoured and displeased that it plainly showed in his
countenance. The Queen, for her part, was sorry too, and all those
of the household say that Kay had made a proud, outrageous, and mad
request. Then the King took the Queen by the hand, and said: "My lady,
you must accompany Kay without making objection." And Kay said: "Hand
her over to me now, and have no fear, for I shall bring her back
perfectly happy and safe." The King gives her into his charge, and he
takes her off. After them all the rest go out, and there is not one who
is not sad. You must know that the seneschal was fully armed, and his
horse was led into the middle of the courtyard, together with a palfrey,
as is fitting, for the Queen. The Queen walked up to the palfrey, which
was neither restive nor hard-mouthed. Grieving and sad, with a sigh the
Queen mounts, saying to herself in a low voice, so that no one could
hear: "Alas, alas, if you only knew it, I am sure you would never allow
me without interference to be led away a step." [44] She thought she
had spoken in a very low tone; but Count Guinable heard her, who was
standing by when she mounted. When they started away, as great a lament
was made by all the men and women present as if she already lay dead
upon a bier. They do not believe that she will ever in her life come
back. The seneschal in his impudence takes her where that other knight
is awaiting her. But no one was so much concerned as to undertake to
follow him; until at last my lord Gawain thus addressed the King his
uncle: "Sire," he says, "you have done a very foolish thing, which
causes me great surprise; but if you will take my advice, while they are
still near by, I and you will ride after them, and all those who wish
to accompany us. For my part, I cannot restrain myself from going in
pursuit of them at once. It would not be proper for us not to go after
them, at least far enough to learn what is to become of the Queen,
and how K