have borne a fair son, and his name is Galahad, and he shall be in
his time the best knight of the world. Dame Elaine, said the queen, when
it is daylight I charge you and command you to avoid my court; and for
the love ye owe unto Sir Launcelot discover not his counsel, for an
ye do, it will be his death. As for that, said Dame Elaine, I dare
undertake he is marred for ever, and that have ye made; for ye, nor I,
are like to rejoice him; for he made the most piteous groans when he
leapt out at yonder bay window that ever I heard man make. Alas, said
fair Elaine, and alas, said the Queen Guenever, for now I wot well we
have lost him for ever.

So on the morn Dame Elaine took her leave to depart, and she would no
longer abide. Then King Arthur brought her on her way with mo than an
hundred knights through a forest. And by the way she told Sir Bors de
Ganis all how it betid that same night, and how Sir Launcelot leapt out
at a window, araged out of his wit. Alas, said Sir Bors, where is my
lord, Sir Launcelot, become? Sir, said Elaine, I wot ne'er. Alas, said
Sir Bors, betwixt you both ye have destroyed that good knight. As for
me, said Dame Elaine, I said never nor did never thing that should in
any wise displease him, but with the rebuke that Queen Guenever gave him
I saw him swoon to the earth; and when he awoke he took his sword in his
hand, naked save his shirt, and leapt out at a window with the grisliest
groan that ever I heard man make. Now farewell, Dame Elaine, said Sir
Bors, and hold my lord Arthur with a tale as long as ye can, for I will
turn again to Queen Guenever and give her a hete; and I require you, as
ever ye will have my service, make good watch and espy if ever ye may
see my lord Sir Launcelot. Truly, said fair Elaine, I shall do all that
I may do, for as fain would I know and wit where he is become, as you,
or any of his kin, or Queen Guenever; and cause great enough have I
thereto as well as any other. And wit ye well, said fair Elaine to Sir
Bors, I would lose my life for him rather than he should be hurt; but
alas, I cast me never for to see him, and the chief causer of this
is Dame Guenever. Madam, said Dame Brisen, the which had made the
enchantment before betwixt Sir Launcelot and her, I pray you heartily,
let Sir Bors depart, and hie him with all his might as fast as he may to
seek Sir Launcelot, for I warn you he is clean out of his mind; and yet
he shall be well holpen an but by miracle.

T