he had been a man of worship. And then
they ordained him clothes to his body, and straw underneath him, and a
little house. And then every day they would throw him meat, and set him
drink, but there was but few would bring him meat to his hands.

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Launcelot was known by Dame Elaine, and was borne
into a chamber and after healed by the Sangreal.

SO it befell that King Pelles had a nephew, his name was Castor; and so
he desired of the king to be made knight, and so at the request of this
Castor the king made him knight at the feast of Candlemas. And when Sir
Castor was made knight, that same day he gave many gowns. And then Sir
Castor sent for the fool--that was Sir Launcelot. And when he was come
afore Sir Castor, he gave Sir Launcelot a robe of scarlet and all that
longed unto him. And when Sir Launcelot was so arrayed like a knight, he
was the seemliest man in all the court, and none so well made. So when
he saw his time he went into the garden, and there Sir Launcelot laid
him down by a well and slept. And so at-after noon Dame Elaine and her
maidens came into the garden to play them; and as they roamed up and
down one of Dame Elaine's maidens espied where lay a goodly man by the
well sleeping, and anon showed him to Dame Elaine. Peace, said Dame
Elaine, and say no word: and then she brought Dame Elaine where he lay.
And when that she beheld him, anon she fell in remembrance of him, and
knew him verily for Sir Launcelot; and therewithal she fell a-weeping so
heartily that she sank even to the earth; and when she had thus wept
a great while, then she arose and called her maidens and said she was
sick.

And so she yede out of the garden, and she went straight to her father,
and there she took him apart by herself; and then she said: O father,
now have I need of your help, and but if that ye help me farewell my
good days for ever. What is that, daughter? said King Pelles. Sir, she
said, thus is it: in your garden I went for to sport, and there, by the
well, I found Sir Launcelot du Lake sleeping. I may not believe that,
said King Pelles. Sir, she said, truly he is there, and meseemeth he
should be distract out of his wit. Then hold you still, said the king,
and let me deal. Then the king called to him such as he most trusted, a
four persons, and Dame Elaine, his daughter. And when they came to the
well and beheld Sir Launcelot, anon Dame Brisen knew him. Sir, said Dame
Brisen, we must be wise