, said Sir Launcelot, that she loveth me as she doth; I
was never the causer of it, for I report me to your son I early ne
late proffered her bounte nor fair behests; and as for me, said Sir
Launcelot, I dare do all that a knight should do that she is a clean
maiden for me, both for deed and for will. And I am right heavy of
her distress, for she is a full fair maiden, good and gentle, and well
taught. Father, said Sir Lavaine, I dare make good she is a clean maiden
as for my lord Sir Launcelot; but she doth as I do, for sithen I first
saw my lord Sir Launcelot, I could never depart from him, nor nought I
will an I may follow him.

Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and so they departed, and came unto
Winchester. And when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come whole and
sound the king made great joy of him, and so did Sir Gawaine and all the
knights of the Round Table except Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred. Also
Queen Guenever was wood wroth with Sir Launcelot, and would by no means
speak with him, but estranged herself from him; and Sir Launcelot made
all the means that he might for to speak with the queen, but it would
not be.

Now speak we of the Fair Maiden of Astolat that made such sorrow day
and night that she never slept, ate, nor drank, and ever she made her
complaint unto Sir Launcelot. So when she had thus endured a ten days,
that she feebled so that she must needs pass out of this world, then
she shrived her clean, and received her Creator. And ever she complained
still upon Sir Launcelot. Then her ghostly father bade her leave such
thoughts. Then she said, why should I leave such thoughts? Am I not an
earthly woman? And all the while the breath is in my body I may complain
me, for my belief is I do none offence though I love an earthly man; and
I take God to my record I loved never none but Sir Launcelot du Lake,
nor never shall, and a clean maiden I am for him and for all other; and
sithen it is the sufferance of God that I shall die for the love of so
noble a knight, I beseech the High Father of Heaven to have mercy
upon my soul, and upon mine innumerable pains that I suffered may
be allegeance of part of my sins. For sweet Lord Jesu, said the fair
maiden, I take Thee to record, on Thee I was never great offencer
against thy laws; but that I loved this noble knight, Sir Launcelot, out
of measure, and of myself, good Lord, I might not withstand the fervent
love wherefore I have my death.

And then she cal