She ought to ascribe this to love; and this is a
certain proof that love thus tries his devotees and thus learns
who is really his. But this service did not please my lady, as I
discovered by her countenance. And yet her lover did for her
that for which many have shamefully reproached and blamed him,
though she was the cause of it; and many blame me for the part I
have played, and have turned my sweetness into bitterness. In
truth, such is the custom of those who know so little of love,
that even honour they wash in shame. But whoever dips honour
into shame, does not wash it, but rather sullies it. But they,
who maltreat him so, are quite ignorant of love; and he, who
fears not his commands, boasts himself very superior to him. For
unquestionably he fares well who obeys the commands of love, and
whatever he does is pardonable, but he is the coward who does not
dare."
(Vv. 4415-4440.) Thus Lancelot makes his lament, and his men
stand grieving by his side, keeping hold of him and guarding him.
Then the news comes that the Queen is not dead. Thereupon
Lancelot at once takes comfort, and if his grief for her death
had before been intense and deep, now his joy for her life was a
hundred thousand times as great. And when they arrived within
six or seven leagues of the castle where King Bademagu was,
grateful news of Lancelot was told him, how he was alive and was
coming hale and hearty, and this news the king was glad to hear.
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