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Chapter IX
Letustakehimtomycastle,and,whenhewakes,himselfshallchoosewhichoneofushewouldratherserve.”SoSirLancelotwaslaiduponhisshieldandborneonhorsebackbetweentwoknights,tothecastle,andtherelaidinacoldchamber,tillthespellshouldpass.
Anon,theysenthimafairdamsel,bearinghissupper,whoaskedhim,“Whatcheer?”
“Icannottell,fairdamsel,”saidhe,“forIknownothowIcameintothiscastle,ifitwerenotbyenchantment.”
“Sir,”saidshe,“beofgoodheart,andto-morrowatthedawnofday,yeshallknowmore.”
Andsoshelefthimalone,andtherehelayallnight.Inthemorningearlycamethefourqueenstohim,passingrichlydressed;andsaid,“Sirknight,thoumustunderstandthatthouartourprisoner,andthatweknowtheewellforKingBan’sson,SirLancelotduLake.Andthoughweknowfullwellthereisoneladyonlyinthisworldmayhavethylove,andsheQueenGuinevere—KingArthur’swife—yetnowareweresolvedtohavetheetoserveoneofus;choose,therefore,ofusfourwhichthouwiltserve.IamQueenMorganleFay,QueenofthelandofGore,andherealsoistheQueenofNorthgales,andtheQueenofEastland,andtheQueenoftheOutIsles.Choose,then,atonce,forelseshallthouabidehere,inthisprison,tillthydeath.”
“Itisahardcase,”saidSirLancelot,“thateitherImustdie,orchooseoneofyouformymistress!YethadIratherdieinthisprisonthanserveanylivingcreatureagainstmywill.Sotakethisformyanswer.Iwillservenoneofye,foryebefalseenchantresses.
