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Chapter XIII
SoSirGawainknewitwasforlovethatshehadgivenit;andwhenheheardshekepthispropershieldheprayedtoseeit.
AssoonasitwasbroughthesawSirLancelot’sarmsthereon,andcried,“Alas!nowamIheavierofheartthaneveryet.”
“Wherefore?”saidfairElaine.
“Fairdamsel,”answeredhe,“knowyenotthattheknightyeloveisofallknightsthenoblestintheworld,SirLancelotduLake?WithallmyheartIprayyemayhavejoyofeachother,buthardlydareIthinkthatyeshallseehiminthisworldagain,forheissosorewoundedhemayscarcelylive,andisgoneoutofsightwherenonecanfindhim.”
ThenwasElainenighmadwithgriefandsorrow,andwithpiteouswordssheprayedherfatherthatshemightgoseekSirLancelotandherbrother.Sointheendherfathergaveherleave,andshedeparted.
AndonthemorrowcameSirGawaintothecourt,andtoldhowhehadfoundSirLancelot’sshieldinElaine’skeeping,andhowitwashersleevewhichhehadworn;whereatallmarvelled,forSirLancelothaddoneforhermorethanhehadeverdoneforanywoman.
ButwhenQueenGuineverehearditshewasbesideherselfwithwrath,andsendingprivilyforSirBors,whosorrowedsorelythatthroughhimSirLancelothadbeenhurt—“Haveyenowheard,”saidshe,“howfalselySirLancelothathbetrayedme?”
“Ibeseechthee,madam,”saidhe,“speaknotso,forelseImaynothearthee.
