. The book of romance; . ust holdme excused. But though you are a King you are also aKnight, and must obey the laws of knighthood. There-fore I beseech your forgiveness if I declare that none ofthe four and twenty Knights here present will fight thatbattle. What say you, my lords ? Then the Knightsanswered that they could not hold the Queen guiltless,for as the dinner was made by her either she or herservants must have done this thing. Alas! said the Queen, no evil was in my heartwhen I prepared this feast, for never have I done suchfoul deeds. My lord the King, cried Sir Mador, * I require of
. The book of romance; . ust holdme excused. But though you are a King you are also aKnight, and must obey the laws of knighthood. There-fore I beseech your forgiveness if I declare that none ofthe four and twenty Knights here present will fight thatbattle. What say you, my lords ? Then the Knightsanswered that they could not hold the Queen guiltless,for as the dinner was made by her either she or herservants must have done this thing. Alas! said the Queen, no evil was in my heartwhen I prepared this feast, for never have I done suchfoul deeds. My lord the King, cried Sir Mador, * I require ofyou, as you are a just King, to fix a day that I may getready for the fight! Well, answered the King, on the fifteenth day fromthis come on horseback to the meadow that is by West-minster. And if it happens that there be a Knight to 104 THE FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN fight with you, strike as hard as you will, God willspeed the right. But if no Knight is there, then mustmy Queen be burned, and a fire shall be made in I am answered, said Sir Mador, and he and the restof the Knights departed. When the King and Queen were left alone he asked THE FIGHT FOR THE QUEEN 105 her what had brought all this about. ■ God help me, thatI know not/ said the Queen, nor how it was done. Where is Sir Lancelot? said King Arthur, lookinground. If he were here, he would not grudge to dobattle for jou. Sir, replied the Queen, I know not where he is, buthis brother and his kinsmen think he is not in thisrealm. I grieve for that/ said the King, for he would soonstop this strife. But I counsel you, ask Sir Bors, and hewill not refuse you. For well I see that none of the fourand twenty Knights who were with you at dinner will beyour champion, and none will say well of you, but menwill speak evil of you at the Court. Alas ! sighed the Queen, I do indeed miss SirLancelot, for he would soon ease my heart. What ails you ? asked the King, that you cannotkeep Sir Lancelot at your side, for well you know
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectarthurk, bookyear1902
