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Chapter XIII
ButereSirLancelotwasfoundbytheheralds,cametheKingoftheHundredKnights,theKingofNorthWales,theKingofNorthumberland,andSirGalahaut,andsaidtohim,“Fairknight,Godblessthee,formuchhaveyedonethisdayforus;whereforeweprayyecomewithusandreceivethehonourandtheprizeasyehaveworshipfullydeservedit.”
“Myfairlords,”saidSirLancelot,“wityewellifIhavedeservedthanks,Ihavesoreboughtthem,forIamlikenevertoescapewithmylife;thereforeIprayyeletmedepart,forIamsorehurt.Itakenothoughtofhonour,forIhadratherrestmethanbelordofalltheworld.”Andtherewithhegroanedpiteously,androdeagreatgallopawayfromthem.
AndSirLavainerodeafterhim,sadatheart,forthebrokenspearstillstuckfastinSirLancelot’sside,andthebloodstreamedsorelyfromthewound.Anontheycamenearawoodmorethanamilefromthelists,whereheknewhecouldbehidden.
ThensaidhetoSirLavaine,“Ogentleknight,helpmetopulloutthisspear-headfrommyside,forthepainthereofnighkillethme.”
“Dearlord,”saidhe,“Ifainwouldhelpye;butIdreadtodrawitforth,lestyeshoulddieforlossofblood.”
“Ichargeyouasyouloveme,”saidSirLancelot,“drawitout.”
Sotheydismounted,andwithamightywrenchSirLavainedrewthespearforthfromSirLancelot’sside;whereathegaveamarvellousgreatshriekandghastlygroan,andallhisbloodleapedforthinafullstream.Thenhesankswooningtotheearth,withavisagepaleasdeath.
