“Sire, I have loved one of thy vassals,—­the knight who stands in bonds, Sir Launfal.  He was always misprized in thy Court, and his every action turned to blame.  What he said, that thou knowest; for over hasty was his tongue before the Queen.  But he never craved her in love, however loud his boasting.  I cannot choose that he should come to hurt or harm by me.  In the hope of freeing Launfal from his bonds, I have obeyed thy summons.  Let now thy barons look boldly upon my face, and deal justly in this quarrel between the Queen and me.”

The King commanded that this should be done, and looking upon her eyes, not one of the judges but was persuaded that her favour exceeded that of the Queen.

Since then Launfal had not spoken in malice against his lady, the lords of the household gave him again his sword.  When the trial had come thus to an end the Maiden took her leave of the King, and made her ready to depart.  Gladly would Arthur have had her lodge with him for a little, and many a lord would have rejoiced in her service, but she might not tarry.  Now without the hall stood a great stone of dull marble, where it was the wont of lords, departing from the Court, to climb into the saddle, and Launfal by the stone.  The Maiden came forth from the doors of the palace, and mounting on the stone, seated herself on the palfrey, behind her friend.  Then they rode across the plain together, and were no more seen.

The Bretons tell that the knight was ravished by his lady to an island, very dim and very fair, known as Avalon.  But none has had speech with Launfal and his faery love since then, and for my part I can tell you no more of the matter.

VII

THE LAY OF THE TWO LOVERS

Once upon a time there lived in Normandy two lovers, who were passing fond, and were brought by Love to Death.  The story of their love was bruited so abroad, that the Bretons made a song in their own tongue, and named this song the Lay of the Two Lovers.

In Neustria—­that men call Normandy—­there is verily a high and marvellously great mountain, where lie the relics of the Two Children.  Near this high place the King of those parts caused to be built a certain fair and cunning city, and since he was lord of the Pistrians, it was known as Pistres.  The town yet endures, with its towers and houses, to bear witness to the truth; moreover the country thereabouts is known to us all as the Valley of Pistres.

This King had one fair daughter, a damsel sweet of face and gracious of manner, very near to her father’s heart, since he had lost his Queen.  The maiden increased in years and favour, but he took no heed to her trothing, so that men—­yea, even his own people—­blamed him greatly for this thing.  When the King heard thereof he was passing heavy and dolent, and considered within himself how he might be delivered from this grief.  So then,