dy to depart from the hermit. And so upon a
morn they took their horses and Elaine le Blank with them; and when they
came to Astolat there were they well lodged, and had great cheer of Sir
Bernard, the old baron, and of Sir Tirre, his son. And so upon the morn
when Sir Launcelot should depart, fair Elaine brought her father with
her, and Sir Lavaine, and Sir Tirre, and thus she said:

CHAPTER XIX. Of the great lamentation of the Fair Maid of Astolat when
Launcelot should depart, and how she died for his love.

MY lord, Sir Launcelot, now I see ye will depart; now fair knight and
courteous knight, have mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die for thy
love. What would ye that I did? said Sir Launcelot. I would have you to
my husband, said Elaine. Fair damosel, I thank you, said Sir Launcelot,
but truly, said he, I cast me never to be wedded man. Then, fair knight,
said she, will ye be my paramour? Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot,
for then I rewarded your father and your brother full evil for their
great goodness. Alas, said she, then must I die for your love. Ye shall
not so, said Sir Launcelot, for wit ye well, fair maiden, I might have
been married an I had would, but I never applied me to be married yet;
but because, fair damosel, that ye love me as ye say ye do, I will for
your good will and kindness show you some goodness, and that is this,
that wheresomever ye will beset your heart upon some good knight that
will wed you, I shall give you together a thousand pound yearly to
you and to your heirs; thus much will I give you, fair madam, for your
kindness, and always while I live to be your own knight. Of all this,
said the maiden, I will none, for but if ye will wed me, or else be my
paramour at the least, wit you well, Sir Launcelot, my good days are
done. Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, of these two things ye must
pardon me.

Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a swoon; and then women bare
her into her chamber, and there she made over much sorrow; and then Sir
Launcelot would depart, and there he asked Sir Lavaine what he would do.
What should I do, said Sir Lavaine, but follow you, but if ye drive me
from you, or command me to go from you. Then came Sir Bernard to Sir
Launcelot and said to him: I cannot see but that my daughter Elaine will
die for your sake. I may not do withal, said Sir Launcelot, for that me
sore repenteth, for I report me to yourself, that my proffer is fair;
and me repenteth