And the Queen beseeches him insistently to have him searched for,
up and down throughout the land, without postponement or delay.
My lord Gawain and Kay and all the others join in this prayer and
request. "Leave this care to me, and speak no more of it," the
king replies, "for I have been ready to do so for some time.
Without need of request or prayer this search shall be made with
thoroughness." Everyone bows in sign of gratitude, and the king
at once sends messengers through his realm, sagacious and prudent
men-at-arms, who inquired for him throughout the land. They made
inquiry for him everywhere, but gained no certain news of him.
Not finding any, they come back to the place where the knights
remain; then Gawain and Kay and all the others say that they will
go in search of him, fully armed and lance in rest; they will not
trust to sending some one else.
(Vv. 5257-5378.) One day after dinner they were all in the hall
putting on their arms, and the point had been reached where there
was nothing to do but start, when a valet entered and passed by
them all until he came before the Queen, whose cheeks were by no
means rosy! For she was in such mourning for Lancelot, of whom
she had no news, that she had lost all her colour. The valet
greeted her as well as the king, who was by her side, and then
all the others and Kay and my lord Gawain.
Pages:
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728