he would have risen to greet him; but his strength failed him, and he fell back on his couch.  Sir Launcelot searched his wounds with the sword, and bound them up with the blood-stained cloth, and immediately Sir Meliot was sound and well, and greatly he rejoiced.  Then Sir Meliot and his sister begged Sir Launcelot to stay and rest, but he departed on his adventures, bidding them farewell until he should meet them again at Arthur’s court.

As for the sorceress of the Chapel Perilous, it is said she died of grief that all her charms had failed to win for her the good knight Sir Launcelot.

CHAPTER X

SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE FALCON

Sir Launcelot rode on his way, by marsh and valley and hill, till he chanced upon a fair castle, and saw fly from it, over his head, a beautiful falcon, with the lines still hanging from her feet.  And as he looked, the falcon flew into a tree where she was held fast by the lines becoming entangled about the boughs.  Immediately, from the castle there came running a fair lady, who cried:  “O Launcelot, Launcelot!  As ye are the noblest of all knights, I pray you help me to recover my falcon.  For if my husband discover its loss, he will slay me in his anger.”  “Who is your husband, fair lady?” asked Sir Launcelot.  “Sir Phelot, a knight of Northgalis, and he is of a hasty temper; wherefore, I beseech you, help me.”  “Well, lady,” said Sir Launcelot, “I will serve you if I may; but the tree is hard to climb, for the boughs are few, and, in truth, I am no climber.  But I will do my best.”  So the lady helped Sir Launcelot to unarm, and he led his horse to the foot of the tree, and springing from its back, he caught at the nearest bough, and drew himself up into the branches.  Then he climbed till he reached the falcon and, tying her lines to a rotten bough, broke it off, and threw down bird and bough to the lady below.  Forthwith, Sir Phelot came from amongst the trees and said:  “Ah!  Sir Launcelot!  Now at length I have you as I would; for I have long sought your life.”  And Sir Launcelot made answer:  “Surely ye would not slay me, an unarmed man; for that were dishonour to you.  Keep my armour if ye will; but hang my sword on a bough where I may reach it, and then do with me as ye can.”  But Sir Phelot laughed mockingly and said:  “Not so, Sir Launcelot.  I know you too well to throw away my advantage; wherefore, shift as ye may.”  “Alas!” said Sir Launcelot, “that ever knight should be so unknightly.  And you, madam, how could ye so betray me?” “She did but as I commanded her,” said Sir Phelot.