Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XIX CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XII

How Sir Launcelot was commanded by Arthur to handle his
wounds, and anon he was all whole, and how they
thanked God

MERCY Jesu, said King Arthur, where is Sir Launcelot du
Lake that he is not here at this time?  Thus, as they
stood and spake of many things, there was espied Sir
Launcelot that came riding toward them, and told the
king.  Peace, said the king, let no manner thing be said
until he be come to us.  So when Sir Launcelot espied
King Arthur, he descended from his horse and came to
the king, and saluted him and them all.  Anon as the
maid, Sir Urre's sister, saw Sir Launcelot, she ran to her
brother thereas he lay in his litter, and said:  Brother,
here is come a knight that my heart giveth greatly unto.
Fair sister, said Sir Urre, so doth my heart light against
him, and certainly I hope now to be healed, for my
heart giveth unto him more than to all these that have
searched me.

Then said Arthur unto Sir Launcelot:  Ye must do as
we have done; and told Sir Launcelot what they had
done, and showed him them all, that had searched him.
Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot, when so many kings
and knights have assayed and failed, that I should presume
upon me to enchieve that all ye, my lords, might not
enchieve.  Ye shall not choose, said King Arthur, for I
will command you for to do as we all have done.  My
most renowned lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye know well
I dare not nor may not disobey your commandment, but
an I might or durst, wit you well I would not take upon
me to touch that wounded knight in that intent that I
should pass all other knights; Jesu defend me from that
shame.  Ye take it wrong, said King Arthur, ye shall not
do it for no presumption, but for to bear us fellowship,
insomuch ye be a fellow of the Table Round; and wit you
well, said King Arthur, an ye prevail not and heal him,
I dare say there is no knight in this land may heal him,
and therefore I pray you, do as we have done.

And then all the kings and knights for the most part
prayed Sir Launcelot to search him; and then the
wounded knight, Sir Urre, set him up weakly, and prayed
Sir Launcelot heartily, saying:  Courteous knight, I
require thee for God's sake heal my wounds, for methinketh
ever sithen ye came here my wounds grieve me
not.  Ah, my fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, Jesu would
that I might help you; I shame me sore that I should be
thus rebuked, for never was I able in worthiness to do so
high a thing.  Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down by the
wounded knight saying:  My lord Arthur, I must do
your commandment, the which is sore against my heart.
And then he held up his hands, and looked into the east,
saying secretly unto himself:  Thou blessed Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, I beseech thee of thy mercy, that my
simple worship and honesty be saved, and thou blessed
Trinity, thou mayst give power to heal this sick knight
by thy great virtue and grace of thee, but, Good Lord,
never of myself.  And then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir
Urre to let him see his head; and then devoutly kneeling
he ransacked the three wounds, that they bled a little, and
forthwith all the wounds fair healed, and seemed as they
had been whole a seven year.  And in likewise he searched
his body of other three wounds, and they healed in
likewise; and then the last of all he searched the which was
in his hand, and anon it healed fair.

Then King Arthur and all the kings and knights
kneeled down and gave thankings and lovings unto God
and to His Blessed Mother.  And ever Sir Launcelot
wept as he had been a child that had been beaten.  Then
King Arthur let array priests and clerks in the most
devoutest manner, to bring in Sir Urre within Carlisle,
with singing and loving to God.  And when this was
done, the king let clothe him in the richest manner that
could be thought; and then were there but few better
made knights in all the court, for he was passingly well
made and bigly; and Arthur asked Sir Urre how he felt
himself.  My good lord, he said, I felt myself never so
lusty.  Will ye joust and do deeds of arms? said King
Arthur.  Sir, said Urre, an I had all that longed unto
jousts I would be soon ready.