⁂ The madness of Orlando, by Ariosto, resembles that of Sir Launcelot.
Launcelot a Monk. When Sir Launcelot discovered that Guenever was resolved to remain a nun, he himself retired to a monastery, and was consecrated a hermit by the bishop of Canterbury. After twelve months, he was miraculously summoned to Almesbury, to remove to Glastonbury the queen, who was at the point of death. Guenever died half an hour before Sir Launcelot arrived, and he himself died soon afterwards (pt. iii. 174). The bishop in attendance on the dying knight affirmed that “he saw angels heave Sir Launcelot up to heaven, and the gates of paradise open to receive him” (pt. iii. 175). Sir Bors, his nephew, discovered the dead body in the cell, and had it buried with all honors at Joyous Guard (pt. iii. 175).—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur (1470), and also Walter Mapes.
When Sir Bors and his fellows came to his (Sir Launcelot’s) bed, they found him stark dead, and he lay as he had smiled, and the sweetest savor about him that ever they smelled.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, iii. 175 (1470).
N.B.—Sir Launcelot intended, when he quitted the court of Arthur, and retired to Benwick, to found religious houses every ten miles between Sandwich and Carlisle, and to visit every one of them barefoot; but King Arthur made war upon him, and put an end to this intention.
⁂ Other particulars of Sir Launcelot. The tale of Sir Launcelot was first composed in monkish Latin, and was translated by Walter Mapes (about 1180). Robert de Borron wrote a French version, and Sir T. Malory took his History of Prince Arthur from the French, the third part being chiefly confined to the adventures and death of this favorite knight. There is a metrical romance called La Charrette, begun by Chrestiens de Troyes (twelfth century), and finished by Geoffrey de Ligny.
Launcelot, the man of Mons. Thomas. (See Lancelot.)—Beaumont and Fletcher, Mons. Thomas (1619).
Launfal (Sir), steward of King Arthur. Detesting Queen Gwennere, he retired to Carlyoun, and fell in love with a lady named Tryamour. She gave him an unfailing purse, and told him if he ever wished to see her, all he had to do was to retire into a private room, and she would be instantly with him. Sir Launfal now returned to court, and excited much attention by his great wealth. Gwennere made advances to him, but he told her she was not worthy to kiss the feet of the lady to whom he was devoted. At this repulse, the angry queen complained to the king, and declared to him that she had been most grossly insulted by his steward. Arthur bade Sir Launfal produce this paragon of woman. On her arrival, Sir Launfal was allowed to accompany her to the isle of Ole´ron; and no one ever saw him afterwards.—Thomas Chestre, Sir Launfal (a metrical romance, time, Henri VI.).
⁂ James Russell Lowell has a poem entitled The Vision of Sir Launfal.
Laura, niece of Duke Gondibert, loved by two brothers, Arnold and Hugo, the latter dwarfed in stature. Laura herself loved Arnold; but both brothers were slain in the faction fight stirred up by Prince Oswald against Duke Gondibert, his rival in the love of Rhodalind, only child of Aribert, king of Lombardy. On the death of Arnold and Hugo, Laura became attached to Tybalt. As the tale was never finished, we have no key to the poet’s intention respecting Laura and Tybalt.—Sir Wm. Davenant, Gondibert (died 1668).
Laura, a Venetian lady, who married Beppo. Beppo being taken captive, turned Turk, joined a band of pirates, and grew rich. He then returned to his wife, made himself known to her, and “had his claim allowed.” Laura is represented as a frivolous mixture of millinery and religion. She admires her husband’s turban, and dreads his new religion. “Are you really, truly, now a Turk?” she says. “Well, that’s the prettiest shawl! Will you give it me? They say you eat no pork. Bless me! Did I ever? No, I never saw a man grown so yellow! How’s your liver?” and so she rattles on.—Byron, Beppo (1820).