{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/mart/mart457.htm","path":"neu/mart/mart457.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart457.htm","text":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XIX CHAPTER III\n \n Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends and Sagas\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n BOOK XIX\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n CHAPTER III\n \n How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken, and\n how Sir Meliagrance laid a bushment for Launcelot\n \n \n THEN by the queen's commandment they left battle, and\n dressed the wounded knights on horseback, some sitting,\n some overthwart their horses, that it was pity to behold\n them. And then Sir Meliagrance charged the queen and\n all her knights that none of all her fellowship should\n depart from her; for full sore he dread Sir Launcelot du\n Lake, lest he should have any knowledging. All this\n espied the queen, and privily she called unto her a child of\n her chamber that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said:\n Go thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear this ring unto\n Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me that\n he will see me and rescue me, if ever he will have joy of\n me; and spare not thy horse, said the queen, neither for\n water, neither for land. So the child espied his time, and\n lightly he took his horse with the spurs, and departed as\n fast as he might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so\n flee, he understood that it was by the queen's commandment\n for to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were\n best horsed chased him and shot at him, but from them all\n the child went suddenly. And then Sir Meliagrance said\n to the queen: Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I\n shall ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly\n at you. And then he rode with her, and they all, to his\n castle, in all the haste that they might. And by the way\n Sir Meliagrance laid in an embushment the best archers\n that he might get in his country, to the number of thirty,\n to await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they\n saw such a manner of knight come by the way upon a\n white horse, that in any wise they slay his horse, but in no\n manner of wise have not ado with him bodily, for he is\n over-hardy to be overcome.\n \n So this was done, and they were come to his castle, but\n in no wise the queen would never let none of the ten\n knights and her ladies out of her sight, but always they\n were in her presence; for the book saith, Sir Meliagrance\n durst make no masteries, for dread of Sir Launcelot, insomuch\n he deemed that he had warning. So when the child\n was departed from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance,\n within a while he came to Westminster, and anon he found\n Sir Launcelot. And when he had told his message, and\n delivered him the queen's ring: Alas, said Sir Launcelot,\n now I am shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that\n noble lady from dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his\n armour; and ever the child told Sir Launcelot how the\n ten knights fought marvellously, and how Sir Pelleas, and\n Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde,\n fought strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none\n withstand him; and how they all fought till at the last they\n were laid to the earth; and then the queen made appointment\n for to save their lives, and go with Sir Meliagrance.\n \n Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, that she\n should be so destroyed; I had liefer, said Sir Launcelot,\n than all France, that I had been there well armed. So\n when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he\n prayed the child of the queen's chamber to warn Sir\n Lavaine how suddenly he was departed, and for what cause.\n And pray him as he loveth me, that he will hie him after\n me, and that he stint not until he come to the castle where\n Sir Meliagrance abideth, or dwelleth; for there, said Sir\n Launcelot, he shall hear of me an I am a man living, and\n rescue the queen and the ten knights the which he traitorously\n hath taken, and that shall I prove upon his head, and\n all them that hold with him.","title":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XIX CHAPTER III","type":"page"}