f Dover where was King Arthur become. Then the people
told him how that he was slain, and Sir Mordred and an hundred thousand
died on a day; and how Sir Mordred gave King Arthur there the first
battle at his landing, and there was good Sir Gawaine slain; and on the
morn Sir Mordred fought with the king upon Barham Down, and there the
king put Sir Mordred to the worse. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, this is
the heaviest tidings that ever came to me. Now, fair sirs, said Sir
Launcelot, shew me the tomb of Sir Gawaine. And then certain people of
the town brought him into the castle of Dover, and shewed him the tomb.
Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down and wept, and prayed heartily for his
soul. And that night he made a dole, and all they that would come had
as much flesh, fish, wine and ale, and every man and woman had twelve
pence, come who would. Thus with his own hand dealt he this money, in a
mourning gown; and ever he wept, and prayed them to pray for the soul
of Sir Gawaine. And on the morn all the priests and clerks that might
be gotten in the country were there, and sang mass of Requiem; and there
offered first Sir Launcelot, and he offered an hundred pound; and
then the seven kings offered forty pound apiece; and also there was a
thousand knights, and each of them offered a pound; and the offering
dured from morn till night, and Sir Launcelot lay two nights on his tomb
in prayers and weeping.

Then on the third day Sir Launcelot called the kings, dukes, earls,
barons, and knights, and said thus: My fair lords, I thank you all of
your coming into this country with me, but we came too late, and that
shall repent me while I live, but against death may no man rebel. But
sithen it is so, said Sir Launcelot, I will myself ride and seek my
lady, Queen Guenever, for as I hear say she hath had great pain and much
disease; and I heard say that she is fled into the west. Therefore ye
all shall abide me here, and but if I come again within fifteen days,
then take your ships and your fellowship, and depart into your country,
for I will do as I say to you.

CHAPTER IX. How Sir Launcelot departed to seek the Queen Guenever, and
how he found her at Almesbury.

THEN came Sir Bors de Ganis, and said: My lord Sir Launcelot, what think
ye for to do, now to ride in this realm? wit ye well ye shall find few
friends. Be as be may, said Sir Launcelot, keep you still here, for I
will forth on my journey, and no man nor child shall go with