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Chapter XIII
NowfifteendaysbeforetheFeastoftheAssumptionofourLady,thekingproclaimedatourneytobeheldthatfeast-dayatCamelot,whereathimselfandtheKingofScotlandwouldjoustwithallwhoshouldcomeagainstthem.SothitherwenttheKingofNorthWales,andKingAnguishofIreland,andSirGalahautthenobleprince,andmanyothernoblesofdiverscountries.
AndKingArthurmadereadytogo,andwouldhavehadthequeengowithhim,butshesaidthatshewassick.SirLancelot,also,madeexcuses,sayinghewasnotyetwholeofhiswounds.
Atthatthekingwaspassingheavyandgrieved,andsodepartedalonetowardsCamelot.AndbythewayhelodgedinatowncalledAstolat,andlaythatnightinthecastle.
Assoonashehadgone,SirLancelotsaidtothequeen,“ThisnightIwillrest,andto-morrowbetimeswillItakemywaytoCamelot;foratthesejoustsIwillbeagainstthekingandhisfellowship.”
“Yemaydoasyelist,”saidQueenGuinevere;“butbymycounselyewillnotbeagainsttheking,forinhiscompanyaremanyhardyknights,asyewellknow.”
“Madam,”saidSirLancelot,“Iprayyebenotdispleasedwithme,forIwilltaketheadventurethatGodmaysendme.”
Andonthemorrowhewenttothechurchandheardmass,andtookhisleaveofthequeen,andsodeparted.
ThenherodelongtillhecametoAstolat,andtherelodgedatthecastleofanoldbaroncalledSirBernardofAstolat,whichwasnearthecastlewhereKingArthurlodged.AndasSirLancelotenteredthekingespiedhim,andknewhim.
