Right so at noon came the damsel to him, and brought him his dinner, and asked him what cheer.
"Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "in all my life-days never so ill."
"Sir," said she, "that me repenteth; but an ye will be ruled by me, I shall keep you out of this distress, and ye shall have no shame nor villainy, so that ye hold me a promise."
"Fair damsel, that I will grant you, and sore I am afeared of these queen's witches, for they have destroyed many a good knight."
"Sir," said she, "that is sooth, and for the renoun and bounty they hear of you they would have your love, and, sir, they say that your name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all the knights that been living, and they been passing wroth with you that ye have refused them; but, sir, an ye would promise me for to help my father on Tuesday next coming, that hath made a tournament between him and the king of Northgalis; for the Tuesday last past my father lost
the field through three knights of King Arthur's court, and if ye will be there upon Tuesday next coming and help my father, tomorrow or prime, by the grace of God, I shall deliver you clean."
"Fair maiden," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me what is your father's name, and then I shall give you an answer."
"Sir Knight," said the damsel, "my father is King Bagdemagus, that was foully rebuked at the last tournament."
"I know your father well," said Sir Launcelot, "for a noble king and a good knight, and by the faith of my body, ye shall have my body ready to do your father and you service that day."
"Sir," said the damsel, "gramercy; tomorrow await that ye be ready betimes, and I shall deliver you; and take you your armor and your horse, shield and spear; and hereby within these ten miles is an abbey of white monks, and there I pray you to abide, and thither shall I bring my father unto you."