uncelot was come to the water of
Mortoise, as it is rehearsed before, he was in great peril, and so he
laid him down and slept, and took the adventure that God would send him.
So when he was asleep there came a vision unto him and said: Launcelot,
arise up and take thine armour, and enter into the first ship that thou
shalt find. And when he heard these words he start up and saw great
clearness about him. And then he lift up his hand and blessed him, and
so took his arms and made him ready; and so by adventure he came by a
strand, and found a ship the which was without sail or oar. And as soon
as he was within the ship there he felt the most sweetness that ever he
felt, and he was fulfilled with all thing that he thought on or desired.
Then he said: Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ, I wot not in what joy I
am, for this joy passeth all earthly joys that ever I was in. And so in
this joy he laid him down to the ship's board, and slept till day. And
when he awoke he found there a fair bed, and therein lying a gentlewoman
dead, the which was Sir Percivale's sister. And as Launcelot devised
her, he espied in her right hand a writ, the which he read, the which
told him all the adventures that ye have heard to-fore, and of what
lineage she was come. So with this gentlewoman Sir Launcelot was a month
and more. If ye would ask how he lived, He that fed the people of Israel
with manna in the desert, so was he fed; for every day when he had said
his prayers he was sustained with the grace of the Holy Ghost.

So on a night he went to play him by the water side, for he was somewhat
weary of the ship. And then he listened and heard an horse come, and one
riding upon him. And when he came nigh he seemed a knight. And so he let
him pass, and went thereas the ship was; and there he alighted, and took
the saddle and the bridle and put the horse from him, and went into the
ship. And then Launcelot dressed unto him, and said: Ye be welcome. And
he answered and saluted him again, and asked him: What is your name? for
much my heart giveth unto you. Truly, said he, my name is Launcelot du
Lake. Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginner of me
in this world. Ah, said he, are ye Galahad? Yea, forsooth, said he; and
so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off his
helm and kissed him. And there was great joy between them, for there is
no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, and many a
friendly