most dainty of fashion—­and commanded that they should descend with her to take their delight in the garden.  When the knights beheld this gay company of ladies come down the steps of the perron, they rejoiced beyond measure.  They hastened before to lead them by the hand, and said such words in their ear as were seemly and pleasant to be spoken.  Amongst these merry and courteous lords hasted not Sir Launfal.  He drew apart from the throng, for with him time went heavily, till he might have clasp and greeting of his friend.  The ladies of the Queen’s fellowship seemed but kitchen wenches to his sight, in comparison with the loveliness of the maiden.  When the Queen marked Launfal go aside, she went his way, and seating herself upon the herb, called the knight before her.  Then she opened out her heart.

“Launfal, I have honoured you for long as a worthy knight, and have praised and cherished you very dearly.  You may receive a queen’s whole love, if such be your care.  Be content:  he to whom my heart is given, has small reason to complain him of the alms.”

“Lady,” answered the knight, “grant me leave to go, for this grace is not for me.  I am the King’s man, and dare not break my troth.  Not for the highest lady in the world, not even for her love, will I set this reproach upon my lord.”

When the Queen heard this, she was full of wrath, and spoke many hot and bitter words.

“Launfal,” she cried, “well I know that you think little of woman and her love.  There are sins more black that a man may have upon his soul.  Traitor you are, and false.  Right evil counsel gave they to my lord, who prayed him to suffer you about his person.  You remain only for his harm and loss.”

Launfal was very dolent to hear this thing.  He was not slow to take up the Queen’s glove, and in his haste spake words that he repented long, and with tears.

“Lady,” said he, “I am not of that guild of which you speak.  Neither am I a despiser of woman, since I love, and am loved, of one who would bear the prize from all the ladies in the land.  Dame, know now and be persuaded, that she, whom I serve, is so rich in state, that the very meanest of her maidens, excels you, Lady Queen, as much in clerkly skill and goodness, as in sweetness of body and face, and in every virtue.”

The Queen rose straightway to her feet, and fled to her chamber, weeping.  Right wrathful and heavy was she, because of the words that had besmirched her.  She lay sick upon her bed, from which, she said, she would never rise, till the King had done her justice, and righted this bitter wrong.  Now the King that day had taken his pleasure within the woods.  He returned from the chase towards evening, and sought the chamber of the Queen.  When the lady saw him, she sprang from her bed, and kneeling at his feet, pleaded for grace and pity.  Launfal—­she said—­had shamed her, since he required her love.  When she had put him by, very foully had he reviled her, boasting that his love was already set on a lady, so proud and noble, that her meanest wench went more richly, and smiled more sweetly, than the Queen.  Thereat the King waxed marvellously wrathful, and swore a great oath that he would set Launfal within a fire, or hang him from a tree, if he could not deny this thing, before his peers.