CHAPTER XIII

How sir launcelot entered into the ship where sir Percivale’s sister lay dead, and how he met with sir Galahad, his son

Now saith the history, that when Launcelot was come to the water of Mortoise, as it is rehearsed before, he was in great peril, and so he laid him down and slept, and took the adventure that God would send him.  So when he was asleep there came a vision unto him and said:  Launcelot, arise up and take thine armour, and enter into the first ship that thou shalt find.  And when he heard these words he start up and saw great clereness about him.  And then he lift up his hand and blessed him, and so took his arms and made him ready; and so by adventure he came by a strand, and found a ship the which was without sail or oar.  And as soon as he was within the ship there he felt the most sweetness that ever he felt, and he was fulfilled with all thing that he thought on or desired.  Then he said:  Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ, I wot not in what joy I am, for this joy passeth all earthly joys that ever I was in.  And so in this joy he laid him down to the ship’s board, and slept till day.  And when he awoke he found there a fair bed, and therein lying a gentlewoman dead, the which was Sir Percivale’s sister.  And as Launcelot devised her, he espied in her right hand a writ, the which he read, the which told him all the adventures that ye have heard tofore, and of what lineage she was come.  So with this gentlewoman Sir Launcelot was a month and more.  If ye would ask how he lived, He that fed the people of Israel with manna in the desert, so was he fed; for every day when he had said his prayers he was sustained with the grace of the Holy Ghost.  So on a night he went to play him by the water side, for he was somewhat weary of the ship.  And then he listened and heard an horse come, and one riding upon him.  And when he came nigh he seemed a knight.  And so he let him pass, and went thereas the ship was; and there he alit, and took the saddle and the bridle and put the horse from him, and went into the ship.  And then Launcelot dressed unto him, and said:  Ye be welcome.  And he answered and saluted him again, and asked him:  What is your name? for much my heart giveth unto you.  Truly, said he, my name is Launcelot du Lake.  Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye were the beginning of me in this world.  Ah, said he, are ye Galahad?  Yea, forsooth, said he; and so he kneeled down and asked him his blessing, and after took off his helm and kissed him.  And there was great joy between them, for there is no tongue can tell the joy that they made either of other, and many a friendly word spoken between, as kin would, the which is no need here to be rehearsed.  And there every each told other of their adventures and marvels that were befallen