Chapter 17

CHAPTER XVII.
SIR AGRIVAIN'S TREASON. SO after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled, and all the
knights that were left alive were come again to the Table Round, there
was great joy in the court, and in especial King Arthur and Queen
Guenever made great joy of the remnant that were come home, and
passing glad were the king and the queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir
Bohort, for they had been passing long away in the quest of the
Sangreal.
Then Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen Guenever again, and
forgot the promise that he made in the quest; so that many in the
court spoke of it, and in especial Sir Agrivain, Sir Gawain's brother,
for he was ever open-mouthed. So it happened Sir Gawain and all his
brothers were in King Arthur's chamber, and then Sir Agrivain said
thus openly, "I marvel that we all are not ashamed to see and to
know so noble a knight as King Arthur so to be shamed by the conduct
of Sir Launcelot and the queen." Then spoke Sir Gawain, and said,
"Brother, Sir Agrivain, I pray you and charge you move not such
matters any more before me, for be ye assured I will not be of your
counsel." "Neither will we," said Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. "Then
will I," said Sir Modred. "I doubt you not," said Sir Gawain, "for
to all mischief ever were ye prone; yet I would that ye left all this,
for I know what will come of it." "Fall of it what fall may," said Sir
Agrivain, "I will disclose it to the king." With that came to them
King Arthur. "Now, brothers, hold your peace," said Sir Gawain, "We
will not," said Sir Agrivain. Then said Sir Gawain, "I will not hear
your tales, nor be of your counsel." "No more will I," said Sir Gareth
and Sir Gaheris, and therewith they departed, making great sorrow.
Then Sir Agrivain told the king all that was said in the court of
the conduct of Sir Launcelot and the queen, and it grieved the king
very much. But he would not believe it to be true without proof. So
Sir Agrivain laid a plot to entrap Sir Launcelot and the queen,
intending to take them together unawares. Sir Agrivain and Sir
Modred led a party for this purpose, but Sir Launcelot escaped from
them, having slain Sir Agrivain and wounded Sir Modred. Then Sir
Launcelot hastened to his friends, and told them what had happened,
and withdrew with them to the forest; but he left spies to bring him
tidings of whatever might be done.
So Sir Launcelot escaped, but the queen remained in the king's
power, and Arthur could no longer doubt of her guilt. And the law
was such in those days that they who committed such crimes, of what
estate or condition soever they were, must be burned to death, and
so it was ordained for Queen Guenever. Then said King Arthur to Sir
Gawain, "I pray you make you ready, in your