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Chapter IX
Andasformylady,QueenGuinevere,whomlightlyyehavespokenof,wereIatlibertyIwouldproveituponyouoruponyourssheisthetruestladylivingtoherlordtheking.”
“Well,”saidthequeen,“isthisyouranswer,thatyerefuseusall?”
“Yea,onmylife,”saidLancelot,“refusedyebeofme.”
Sotheydepartedfromhimingreatwrath,andlefthimsorrowfullygrievinginhisdungeon.
Atnoonthedamselcametohimandbroughthisdinner,andaskedhimasbefore,“Whatcheer?”
“Truly,fairdamsel,”saidSirLancelot,“inallmylifeneversoill.”
“Sir,”repliedshe,“Igrievetoseeyeso,butifyedoasIadvise,Icanhelpyeoutofthisdistress,andwilldosoifyoupromisemeaboon.”
“Fairdamsel,”saidSirLancelot,“rightwillinglywillIgrantitthee,forsorelydoIdreadthesefourwitch-queens,whohavedestroyedandslainmanyagoodknightwiththeirenchantments.”
Thensaidthedamsel,“Sir,wiltthoupromisemetohelpmyfatheronnextTuesday,forhehathatournamentwiththeKingofNorthgales,andlastTuesdaylostthefieldthroughthreeknightsofKingArthur’scourt,whocameagainsthim.AndifnextTuesdaythouwiltaidhim,to-morrow,beforedaylight,byGod’sgrace,Iwilldeliverthee.”
“Fairmaiden,”saidSirLancelot,“tellmethyfather’snameandIwillanswerthee.”
“MyfatherisKingBagdemagus,”saidshe.
“Iknowhimwell,”repliedSirLancelot,“foranoblekingandagoodknight;andbythefaithofmybodyIwilldohimalltheserviceIamableonthatday.
