lot's kin, took on
them to ride all England overthwart and endlong, to seek Sir Launcelot.
So Sir Bors by fortune rode so long till he came to the same chapel
where Sir Launcelot was; and so Sir Bors heard a little bell knell, that
rang to mass; and there he alighted and heard mass. And when mass was
done, the Bishop Sir Launcelot, and Sir Bedivere, came to Sir Bors. And
when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot in that manner clothing, then he prayed
the Bishop that he might be in the same suit. And so there was an habit
put upon him, and there he lived in prayers and fasting. And within
half a year, there was come Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Blamore, Sir
Bleoberis, Sir Villiars, Sir Clarras, and Sir Gahalantine. So all these
seven noble knights there abode still. And when they saw Sir Launcelot
had taken him to such perfection, they had no lust to depart, but took
such an habit as he had.

Thus they endured in great penance six year; and then Sir Launcelot took
the habit of priesthood of the Bishop, and a twelvemonth he sang mass.
And there was none of these other knights but they read in books, and
holp for to sing mass, and rang bells, and did bodily all manner of
service. And so their horses went where they would, for they took no
regard of no worldly riches. For when they saw Sir Launcelot endure such
penance, in prayers, and fastings, they took no force what pain they
endured, for to see the noblest knight of the world take such abstinence
that he waxed full lean. And thus upon a night, there came a vision to
Sir Launcelot, and charged him, in remission of his sins, to haste
him unto Almesbury: And by then thou come there, thou shalt find Queen
Guenever dead. And therefore take thy fellows with thee, and purvey them
of an horse bier, and fetch thou the corpse of her, and bury her by her
husband, the noble King Arthur. So this avision came to Sir Launcelot
thrice in one night.

CHAPTER XI. How Sir Launcelot went with his seven fellows to Almesbury,
and found there Queen Guenever dead, whom they brought to Glastonbury.

THEN Sir Launcelot rose up or day, and told the hermit. It were well
done, said the hermit, that ye made you ready, and that you disobey not
the avision. Then Sir Launcelot took his eight fellows with him, and on
foot they yede from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the which is little more
than thirty mile. And thither they came within two days, for they were
weak and feeble to go. And when Sir Launcelot