{16}
Arthur, with the Scots and Northern knights, means to encounter all
comers at a Whitsuntide tourney. Guinevere is ill, and cannot go to
the jousts, while Lancelot makes excuse that he is not healed of a
wound. "Wherefore the King was heavy and passing wroth, and so he
departed towards Winchester." The Queen then blamed Lancelot:
people will say they deceive Arthur. "Madame," said Sir Lancelot, "I
allow your wit; it is of late come that ye were wise." In the Idyll
Guinevere speaks as if their early loves had been as conspicuous as,
according to George Buchanan, were those of Queen Mary and Bothwell.
Lancelot will go to the tourney, and, despite Guinevere's warning,
will take part against Arthur and his own fierce Northern kinsmen.
He rides to Astolat--"that is, Gylford"--where Arthur sees him. He
borrows the blank shield of "Sir Torre," and the company of his
brother Sir Lavaine. Elaine "cast such a love unto Sir Lancelot that
she would never withdraw her love, wherefore she died." At her
prayer, and for better disguise (as he had never worn a lady's
favour), Lancelot carried her scarlet pearl-embroidered sleeve in his
helmet, and left his shield in Elaine's keeping. The tourney passes
as in the poem, Gawain recognising Lancelot, but puzzled by the
favour he wears. The wounded Lancelot "thought to do what he might
while he might endure." When he is offered the prize he is so sore
hurt that he "takes no force of no honour.
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