Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 20, 1909.djvu/327

 of the Round Table. 287

— " My beloved, why didst thou tarry, and didst not go with the King ? " Lang answered, — " I tarried, for I do not wish it to be known by anyone that I am going there or that I am there ; and, when I arrive at the tournament, I will choose that side which shall bring me the more honour and better prove my power." The Queen said, — " My dearly beloved, go in peace and in joy, accompanied by my love and pride. Do valiantly as thou art accus- tomed to do." Lang answered, — " Where is the knight who, though he have the heart of a hare, would not get that of a lion, and be filled with power and might, were he crowned with the love of my mistress, as I am to-day, the most happy among men, thanks to Heaven and to thee." And he kissed her and embraced her and frolicked with her for an hour.

20. The next morning he started with his armour- bearer very early in the day, in order not to be recognized by anyone ; they also turned off from the high-road, so as not to be met by anyone who would know him. The second morning, before dawn, they came to a village where the King had halted, and Lane decided to enter it very early, so that he should not be recognized by any of the King's knights. The name of that place was Askalot, and it belonged to a prince whose name was Lanval, Vavassor de Askalot.

21. At daybreak the King got up to prepare himself for the journey, and he stood at the window of the palace and looked out, when he beheld the steed of Lang, and he recognized it, for he had made it a present to Lang, but he did not recognize Lane, for he had covered his face with his helmet and with his armour. But, when he passed from place to place, Lane did not beware of the King and he raised his head ; at the same time he lifted his helmet a little from his face, and the King saw him and recognized him. He then showed him to Goflet, and said to him whispering, — " Hast thou seen Langolot,