Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenivere

Summary

SO AFTIR THE QUEST of the Sankgreall was fulfylled and all knyghtes that were leffte on lyve were com home agayne unto the Table Rownde, as The Booke of the Sankgreall makith mencion, than was there grete joy in the courte, and en especiall Kynge Arthure and Quene Gwenyvere made grete joy of the remenaunte that were com home. And passyng gladde was the kynge and the quene of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for they had bene passynge longe away in the queste of the Sankgreall.

Than, as the booke seyth, Sir Launcelot began to resorte unto Quene Gwenyvere agayne, and forgate the promyse and the perfeccion that he made in the queste; for, as the booke seyth, had nat Sir Launcelot bene in his prevy thoughtes and in hys myndis so sette inwardly to the quene as he was in semynge outewarde to God, there had no knyght passed hym in the queste of the Sankgreall. But ever his thoughtis prevyly were on the quene, and so they loved togydirs more hotter than they dud toforehonde, and had many such prevy draughtis togydir that many in the courte spake of hit, and in especiall Sir Aggravayne, Sir Gawaynes brothir, for he was ever opynne-mowthed.

So hit befelle that Sir Launcelot had many resortis of ladyes and damesels which dayly resorted unto hym, that besoughte hym to be theire champion. In all such maters of ryght Sir Launcelot applyed hym dayly for to do for the plesure of Oure Lorde Jesu Cryst, and ever as much as he myght he withdrew hym fro the company of Quene Gwenyvere, for to eschew the sclawndir and noyse. Wherefore the quene waxed wrothe with Sir Launcelot.

So on a day she called hym to hir chambir and seyd thus: “Sir Launcelot, I se and fele dayly that youre love begynnyth to slake, for ye have no joy to be in my presence, but ever ye ar oute of thys courte, and quarels and maters ye have nowadayes for ladyes, madyns, and jantillwomen, more than ever ye were wonte to have beforehande.”