rld's shame, Jesu defend me, and as for
my distress, it is welcome whatsoever it be that God sendeth me.

So she came to him the same day that the battle should be, and said:
Sir Launcelot, methinketh ye are too hard-hearted, but wouldest thou but
kiss me once I should deliver thee, and thine armour, and the best horse
that is within Sir Meliagrance's stable. As for to kiss you, said Sir
Launcelot, I may do that and lose no worship; and wit ye well an I
understood there were any disworship for to kiss you I would not do it.
Then he kissed her, and then she gat him, and brought him to his armour.
And when he was armed, she brought him to a stable, where stood twelve
good coursers, and bade him choose the best. Then Sir Launcelot looked
upon a white courser the which liked him best; and anon he commanded the
keepers fast to saddle him with the best saddle of war that there was;
and so it was done as he bade. Then gat he his spear in his hand, and
his sword by his side, and commended the lady unto God, and said: Lady,
for this good deed I shall do you service if ever it be in my power.

CHAPTER IX. How Sir Launcelot came the same time that Sir Meliagrance
abode him in the field and dressed him to battle.

NOW leave we Sir Launcelot wallop all that he might, and speak we
of Queen Guenever that was brought to a fire to be brent; for Sir
Meliagrance was sure, him thought, that Sir Launcelot should not be at
that battle; therefore he ever cried upon King Arthur to do him justice,
other-else bring forth Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then was the king and all
the court full sore abashed and shamed that the queen should be brent in
the default of Sir Launcelot. My lord Arthur, said Sir Lavaine, ye may
understand that it is not well with my lord Sir Launcelot, for an he
were alive, so he be not sick outher in prison, wit ye well he would be
here; for never heard ye that ever he failed his part for whom he should
do battle for. And therefore, said Sir Lavaine, my lord, King Arthur, I
beseech you give me license to do battle here this day for my lord and
master, and for to save my lady, the queen. Gramercy gentle Sir Lavaine,
said King Arthur, for I dare say all that Sir Meliagrance putteth upon
my lady the queen is wrong, for I have spoken with all the ten wounded
knights, and there is not one of them, an he were whole and able to do
battle, but he would prove upon Sir Meliagrance's body that it is false
that he putteth upon my que