is
brave eyes that never suffered a mean or evil action. I wot he loved me
above all other knights, and there was none of my kinsmen that I loved
so much as I loved him. Ever will the sorrow of the death of thy
brethren lie upon my soul; and to make some small amends I will, if my
lord will suffer it and it will please you, Sir Gawaine, I will walk in
my shirt and barefoot from Lemanis even unto this town, and at every
ten miles I will found a holy house, and endow it with monks to pray
for the souls of Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris. Surely, Sir Gawaine, that
will do more good unto their souls than that my most noble lord and you
should war on me.'

Every cheek was wet and the tears of the king fell from his eyes, yet
made he no effort to restrain or hide them.

'Out upon such monkish deeds!' cried Sir Gawaine, and his scornful eyes
surveyed the weeping knights and dames. 'Know thee, once for all, that
never shalt thou wipe away the treacherous murder of my brothers but by
thy blood. Ye are safe now for a season, for the pope hath given you
safety, but in this land--whatever comes of it I care not--thou shalt
not abide above fifteen days, or else I shall have thy head. So make ye
no more ado; but deliver the queen from thee, and get thee quickly out
of this court and out of this realm.'

'Well,' said Sir Lancelot, and laughed grimly, 'if I had known I should
have so short an answer to my proffers of peace, I had thought twice
ere I had come hither. But now, madam,' he said, turning to the weeping
queen beside him, 'I must say farewell to ye, for now do I depart from
this noble fellowship and this dear realm for ever. Pray for me, and
send me word if any lying tongues speak evil of you, and if any
knight's hand may deliver you by battle, believe me mine shall so
deliver you.'

With these words Sir Lancelot bent and kissed the queen's hand, and so
turned away and departed. There was neither king, baron, knight nor
squire of all that great company who did not weep, nor think that Sir
Gawaine had been of most evil mind to refuse the noble proffers of Sir
Lancelot.

Heavy was King Arthur ever thereafter, and never might man see his face
brighten nor hear his laugh; and the better of his knights sorrowed
with him, and knew what was in his heart.

'In this realm will be no more quiet,' said Sir Owen of the Fountain to
his fellows as they stood upon the walls of Carlisle and saw the band
of Sir Lancelot riding southwards,