And the king said privily
to him: "Lancelot, I am amazed at what this means: and how it
comes about that the Queen cannot endure the sight of you, and
that she is so unwilling to speak with you. If she is ever
accustomed to speak with you, she ought not to be niggardly now
or avoid conversation with you, after what you have done for her.
Now tell me, if you know, why and for what misdeed she has shown
you such a countenance." "Sire, I did not notice that just now;
but she will not look at me or hear my words, and that distresses
and grieves me much." "Surely," says the king, "she is in the
wrong, for you have risked your life for her. Come away now,
fair sweet friend, and we shall go to speak with the seneschal."
"I shall be glad to do so," he replies. Then they both go to the
seneschal. As soon as Lancelot came where he was, the
seneschal's first exclamation was: "How thou hast shamed me!"
"I? How so?" Lancelot inquires; "tell me what disgrace have I
brought upon you?" "A very great disgrace, for thou hast carried
out what I could not accomplish, and thou hast done what I could
not do."
(Vv. 4031-4124.) Then the king left them together in the room,
and went out alone. And Lancelot inquires of the seneschal if he
has been badly off.
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