would
gladly have gone to the trysting place. Dark and sombre night at last
won its struggle with the day, and wrapped it up in its covering, and
laid it away beneath its cloak. When he saw the light of day obscured,
he pretended to be tired and worn, and said that, in view of his
protracted vigils, he needed rest. You, who have ever done the same, may
well understand and guess that he pretends to be tired and goes to bed
in order to deceive the people of the house; but he cared nothing about
his bed, nor would he have sought rest there for anything, for he could
not have done so and would not have dared, and furthermore he would not
have cared to possess the courage or the power to do so. Soon he softly
rose, and was pleased to find that no moon or star was shining, and that
in the house there was no candle, lamp, or lantern burning. Thus he went
out and looked about, but there was no one on the watch for him, for
all thought that he would sleep in his bed all night. Without escort or
company he quickly went out into the garden, meeting no one on the way,
and he was so fortunate as to find that a part of the garden-wall had
recently fallen down. Through this break he passes quickly and proceeds
to the window, where he stands, taking good care not to cough or sneeze,
until the Queen arrives clad in a very white chemise. She wore no cloak
or coat, but had thrown over her a short cape of scarlet cloth and
shrew-mouse fur. As soon as Lancelot saw the Queen leaning on the
window-sill behind the great iron bars, he honoured her with a gentle
salute. She promptly returned his greeting, for he was desirous of her,
and she of him. Their talk and conversation are not of vulgar, tiresome
affairs. They draw close to one another, until each holds the other's
hand. But they are so distressed at not being able to come together more
completely, that they curse the iron bars. Then Lancelot asserts that,
with the Queen's consent, he will come inside to be with her, and that
the bars cannot keep him out. And the Queen replies: "Do you not see how
the bars are stiff to bend and hard to break? You could never so twist,
pull or drag at them as to dislodge one of them." "Lady," says he, "have
no fear of that. It would take more than these bars to keep me out.
Nothing but your command could thwart my power to come to you. If you
will but grant me your permission, the way will open before me. But if
it is not your pleasure, then the way is so o