who is full
of wickedness, and who summoned the physicians to him and bade them
apply such ointments as would kill me. Such a father and stepfather have
I had! For when the king had a good plaster applied to my wounds in his
desire that I should soon be cured, his treacherous son, wishing to put
me to death, had it promptly taken off and some harmful salve applied.
But I am very sure that the king was ignorant of this; he would not
tolerate such base and murderous tricks. But you do not know how
courteous he has been to my lady: no frontier tower since the time that
Noah built the ark was ever so carefully guarded, for he has guarded her
so vigilantly that, though his son chafed under the restraint, he would
nor let him see her except in the presence of the king himself. Up to
the present time the king in his mercy has shown her all the marks of
consideration which she herself proposed. She alone had the disposition
of her affairs. And the king esteemed her all the more for the loyalty
she showed. But is it true, as I am told, that she is so angry with you
that she has publicly refused to speak with you?" "You have been told
the exact truth," Lancelot replies, "but for God's sake, can you tell me
why she is so displeased with me?" He replies that he does not know, and
that he is greatly surprised at it. "Well, let it be as she pleases,"
says Lancelot, feeling his helplessness; "I must now take my leave, and
I shall go to seek my lord Gawain who has entered this land, and who
arranged with me that he would proceed directly to the waterbridge."
Then, leaving the room, he appeared before the king and asked for leave
to proceed in that direction. And the king willingly grants him leave to
go. Then those whom Lancelot had set free and delivered from prison ask
him what they are to do. And he replies: "All those who desire may come
with me, and those who wish to stay with the Queen may do so: there is
no reason why they should accompany me." Then all those, who so desire,
accompany him, more glad and joyous than is their wont. With the Queen
remain her damsels who are light of heart, and many knights and ladies
too. But there is not one of those who stay behind, who would not have
preferred to return to his own country to staying there. But on my
lord Gawain's account, whose arrival is expected, the Queen keeps them,
saying that she will never stir until she has news of him.

(Vv. 4125-4262.) The news spreads everywhere that