roubled."
"Ah, lady, for God's sake, do not be surprised that I am sad! Truly, I
am very much downcast, since I cannot be present where all that is good
in the world will be assembled: that is, at the tournament where
there will be a gathering of the people who make the earth tremble.
Nevertheless, if it pleased you, and if God should incline your heart
to let me go thither, you might rest assured that I should be careful to
return to my captivity here." "I would gladly do it," she replied, "if I
did not see that my death and destruction would result. But I am in such
terror of my lord, the despicable Meleagant, that I would not dare to
do it, for he would kill my husband at once. It is not strange that I
am afraid of him, for, as you know, he is very bad." "Lady, if you are
afraid that I may not return to you at once after the tournament, I will
take an oath which I will never break, that nothing will detain me from
returning at once to my prison here immediately after the tournament."
"Upon my word," said she, "I will allow it upon one condition." "Lady,
what condition is that?" Then she replies: "Sire, upon condition that
you wilt swear to return to me, and promise that I shall have your
love." "Lady, I give you all the love I have, and swear to come back."
Then the lady laughs and says: "I have no cause to boast of such a gift,
for I know you have bestowed upon some one else the love for which I
have just made request. However, I do not disdain to take so much of it
as I can get. I shall be satisfied with what I can have, and will accept
your oath that you will be so considerate of me as to return hither a
prisoner."

(Vv. 5515-5594.) In accordance with her wish, Lancelot swears by Holy
Church that he will return without fail. And the lady at once gives him
the vermilion arms of her lord, and his horse which was marvellously
good and strong and brave. He mounts and leaves, armed with handsome,
new arms, and proceeds until he comes to Noauz. He espoused this side in
the tournament, and took his lodging outside the town. Never did such
a noble man choose such a small and lowly lodging-place; but he did not
wish to lodge where he might be recognised. There were many good and
excellent knights gathered within the town. But there were many more
outside, for so many had come on account of the presence of the Queen
that the fifth part could not be accommodated inside. For every one who
would have been there under ordinary