ne of all the host noticed that he
had disappeared. But he went straight back to the place whence he had
come, to keep his oath. When the tournament broke up, they all searched
and asked for him, but without success, for he fled away, having no
desire to be recognised. The knights are disappointed and distressed,
for they would have rejoiced to have him there. But if the knights were
grieved to have been deserted thus, still greater was the damsels' grief
when they learned the truth, and they asserted by St. John that they
would not marry at all that year. If they can't have him whom they
truly love, then all the others may be dismissed. Thus the tourney was
adjourned without any of them choosing a husband. Meanwhile Lancelot
without delay repairs to his prison. But the seneschal arrived two or
three days before Lancelot, and inquired where he was. And his wife, who
had given to Lancelot his fair and well-equipped vermilion arms, as well
as his harness and his horse, told the truth to the seneschal--how she
had sent him where there had been jousting at the tourney of Noauz.
"Lady," the seneschal replies, "you could truly have done nothing worse
than that. Doubtless, I shall smart for this, for my lord Meleagant
will treat me worse than the beach-combers' law would treat me were I a
mariner in distress. I shall be killed or banished the moment he hears
the news, and he will have no pity for me." "Fair sire, be not now
dismayed," the lady said; "there is no occasion for the fear you feel.
There is no possibility of his detention, for he swore to me by the
saints that he would return as soon as possible."

(Vv. 6105-6166.) [425] Then the seneschal mounts, and coming to his
lord, tells him the whole story of the episode; but at the same time, he
emphatically reassures him, telling how his wife had received his oath
that he would return to his prison. "He will not break his word, I
know," says Meleagant: "and yet I am very much displeased at what your
wife has done. Not for any consideration would I have had him present at
that tournament. But return now, and see to it that, when he comes back,
he be so strictly guarded that he shall not escape from his prison or
have any freedom of body: and send me word at once." "Your orders shall
be obeyed," says the seneschal. Then he goes away and finds Lancelot
returned as prisoner in his yard. A messenger, sent by the seneschal,
runs back at once to Meleagant, appraising him of Lancel