Now, on a day, Sir Launfal got him on his horse, that he might take his pleasure for a little.  He came forth from the city, alone, attended by neither servant nor squire.  He went his way through a green mead, till he stood by a river of clear running water.  Sir Launfal would have crossed this stream, without thought of pass or ford, but he might not do so, for reason that his horse was all fearful and trembling.  Seeing that he was hindered in this fashion, Launfal unbitted his steed, and let him pasture in that fair meadow, where they had come.  Then he folded his cloak to serve him as a pillow, and lay upon the ground.  Launfal lay in great misease, because of his heavy thoughts, and the discomfort of his bed.  He turned from side to side, and might not sleep.  Now as the knight looked towards the river he saw two damsels coming towards him; fairer maidens Launfal had never seen.  These two maidens were richly dressed in kirtles closely laced and shapen to their persons and wore mantles of a goodly purple hue.  Sweet and dainty were the damsels, alike in raiment and in face.  The elder of these ladies carried in her hands a basin of pure gold, cunningly wrought by some crafty smith—­very fair and precious was the cup; and the younger bore a towel of soft white linen.  These maidens turned neither to the right hand nor to the left, but went directly to the place where Launfal lay.  When Launfal saw that their business was with him, he stood upon his feet, like a discreet and courteous gentleman.  After they had greeted the knight, one of the maidens delivered the message with which she was charged.

“Sir Launfal, my demoiselle, as gracious as she is fair, prays that you will follow us, her messengers, as she has a certain word to speak with you.  We will lead you swiftly to her pavilion, for our lady is very near at hand.  If you but lift your eyes you may see where her tent is spread.”

Right glad was the knight to do the bidding of the maidens.  He gave no heed to his horse, but left him at his provand in the meadow.  All his desire was to go with the damsels, to that pavilion of silk and divers colours, pitched in so fair a place.  Certainly neither Semiramis in the days of her most wanton power, nor Octavian, the Emperor of all the West, had so gracious a covering from sun and rain.  Above the tent was set an eagle of gold, so rich and precious, that none might count the cost.  The cords and fringes thereof were of silken thread, and the lances which bore aloft the pavilion were of refined gold.  No King on earth might have so sweet a shelter, not though he gave in fee the value of his realm.  Within this pavilion Launfal came upon the Maiden.  Whiter she was than any altar lily, and more sweetly flushed than the new born rose in time of summer heat.  She lay upon a bed with napery and coverlet of richer worth than could be furnished by a castle’s spoil.  Very fresh and slender showed the lady in her vesture of spotless linen.