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Chapter XIII
“Alas!”criedSirLavaine,“whatshallIdonow?”
Andthenheturnedhismaster’sfacetowardsthewind,andsatbyhimnighhalfanhourwhilehelayquietasonedead.Butatthelasthelifteduphiseyes,andsaid,“Iprayyebearmeonmyhorseagain,andleadmetoahermitwhodwellethwithintwomileshence,forhewasformerlyaknightofArthur’scourt,andnowhathmightyskillinmedicineandherbs.”
SowithgreatpainSirLavainegothimtohishorse,andledhimtothehermitagewithinthewood,besideastream.Thenknockedhewithhisspearuponthedoor,andprayedtoenter.Atthatachildcameout,towhomhesaid,“Fairchild,praythegoodmanthymastertocomehitherandletinaknightwhoissorewounded.”
Anoncameouttheknight-hermit,whosenamewasSirBaldwin,andasked,“Whoisthiswoundedknight?”
“Iknownot,”saidSirLavaine,“savethatheisthenoblestknightIevermetwith,andhathdonethisdaysuchmarvellousdeedsofarmsagainstKingArthurthathehathwontheprizeofthetourney.”
ThenthehermitgazedlongonSirLancelot,andhardlyknewhim,sopalehewaswithbleeding,yetsaidheatthelast,“Whoartthou,lord?”
SirLancelotansweredfeebly,“Iamastrangerknightadventurous,wholaboureththroughmanyrealmstowinworship.”
“Whyhidestthouthyname,dearlord,fromme?”criedSirBaldwin;“forinsoothIknowtheenowtobethenoblestknightinalltheworld—mylordSirLancelotduLake,withwhomIlonghadfellowshipattheRoundTable.
