The Quest of the Holy Grail (Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal)

On the eve of Wiieeee when the companions of the Round Table had come to Camelot and had heard mass, and when the tables were about to be set at the noon hour, there entered the hall a very fair damsel on horseback. It was evident that she had come in great haste, for her horse was still all in a sweat. Dismounting, she came before the king and saluted him. with God’s blessing. “Sire,” said she, “for God’s sake, tell me if Lancelot is here.” “Yes, truly,” the king replied, “see him yonder.” And he pointed him out to her. Then going directly up to him, she said: “Lancelot, in the name of King Pellés, I bid you to accompany me into the forest.” And he asked her in whose service she was. “‘I belong,” she said, “to him whose name I have just mentioned.” “And what is your need of me?” he inquired. “That you shall soon see,” she replied. “Then in God’s name,” he said, “I will gladly go.”’

Then he bade a squire saddle his horse and bring him his arms; and the squire did so at once. And when the king and ‘the others who were in the palace saw this, they were very sorry. Nevertheless, seeing that he would not tarry, they let him go. But the queen said: “How is it, Lancelot, that you leave us on the day of this high festival?” “My lady,” the damsel then replied, ‘you may be sure that you will have him back here again to-morrow before the dinner-hour.” ‘Then let him go,’ the queen replied, “for were he not to return to-morrow, he would not have my sanction to go away to-day.” Then he. mounted his horse and the damsel hers.