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Chapter IX
Andasthefalconflewpastanelm-tree,thestringscaughtintheboughs,sothatshecouldflynofurther.
Inthemeanwhile,camealadyfromthecastleandcried,“Oh,SirLancelot!asthouarttheflowerofallknightsintheworld,helpmetogetmyhawk,forshehathslippedawayfromme,andifshebelost,mylordmyhusbandissohasty,hewillsurelyslayme!”
“Whatisthylord’sname?”saidSirLancelot.
“Hisname,”saidshe,“isSirPhelot,aknightoftheKingofNorthgales.”
“Fairlady,”saidSirLancelot,“sinceyouknowmyname,andrequireme,onmyknighthood,tohelpyou,IwilldowhatIcantogetyourhawk.”
Andthereuponalighting,hetiedhishorsetothesametree,andprayedtheladytounarmhim.Sowhenhewasunarmed,heclimbedupandreachedthefalcon,andthrewittothelady.
Thensuddenlycamedown,outofthewood,herhusband,SirPhelot,allarmed,withadrawnswordinhishand,andsaid,“Oh,SirLancelot!nowhaveIfoundtheeasIwouldhavethee!”andstoodatthetrunkofthetreetoslayhim.
“Ah,lady!”criedSirLancelot,“whyhaveyebetrayedme?”
“ShehathdoneasIcommandedher,”saidSirPhelot,“andthinehouriscomethatthoumustdie.”
“Itwereshame,”saidLancelot,“foranarmedtoslayanunarmedman.”
“Thouhastnootherfavourfromme,”saidSirPhelot.
“Alas!”criedSirLancelot,“thateveranyknightshoulddieweaponless!”Andlookingoverhead,hesawagreatboughwithoutleaves,andwrencheditoffthetree,andsuddenlyleapeddown.
