Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 20, 1909.djvu/325

 of the Round Table. 285

knights came together to the meadow of Wincestre, Lane concealed his intention of going there, for he did not wish to deter the newcomers, the knights, from enter- ing into the contest out of fear of him, for they dreaded his mighty power. He also wished to decide by himself whose side to espouse. He therefore hid his doings from everybody, and feigned to be ill, and he said to his com- panions that he was too ill to go to the tournament. He ordered his two cousins, Borz and Lionel, as well as his brother Estor, to join the company and to go to the tournament. They refused to go without him, but he pressed them to go with the King; at last they went.

17. When Agravan saw Borz and Lionel and Estor and all the companions of Lan9 preparing themselves to go without him, leaving him behind, he bethought him- self to calumniate Lang before his uncle the King, and to discover to him the whole affair with the Queen. So he went to his uncle the King, and said to him, — " I wish to tell thee an important secret, for the sake of thy honour and thy welfare, and also to remove thy shame (dishonour) if I am allowed to speak." The King answered, — " Is there in the court a man of such importance as to be able to think of bringing shame upon me ? " Agravan answered, — "There is indeed, for the Queen and Langolot are both deeply in love with each other, and have insane desires. As Lancolot cannot sport with the Queen to his heart's content so long as thou art in the palace, he feigns illness, and refuses to go to the tournament, but he sends there all his companions. As soon then as thou departest he and the Queen will come together, and he will hide himself to enjoy her to his contentment." When the King heard this he contradicted him, and did not believe him, but said, — for I cannot believe thee. I know him for a right trust- worthy friend, and it is impossible that he should play traitor to me in this respect. The thought of this desire
 * ' Nephew, do not speak to me any more about this thing,