When the queen and her gentlewomen heard these things, they were filled with sorrow, for their knights held them in great honor and affection, but the queen was the most sorely grieved of all.
“I marvel,” said she, “that the king will permit them to leave him.”
Thus all the court was troubled that night, and many of the ladies desired to accompany their husbands; but an old knight arose and said this could not be, for in so high and dangerous a service they must go forth alone.
After a while they all went to rest, and Sir Galahad was put to bed in the king’s own chamber. As soon as it was daylight the king arose, for he had no sleep that night for sorrow. He went at once to Sir Gawain and Sir Launcelot and said again, “Ah! Sir Gawain! Sir Gawain! You have betrayed me, for my court will never be restored; but you will never be as sorry for me as I am for you.”
With that the tears began to run down his face, and he said, “Ah! knight, Sir Launcelot! I ask that you counsel me, for I wish this quest to be undone, and it can be.”
“Sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “you saw yesterday that many worthy knights were sworn to this quest, and they cannot break their vows.”
“That I know well,” said the king, “but my grief at their going is so great that no joy will ever heal it.”
After the king had gone, the two knights ordered their squires to bring their arms, and when they were armed they joined their comrades and all went to the church to hear their service.
After the service was over the king took count of those who had taken the vow to search for the Holy Grail and found that there were a hundred and fifty, all knights of the Round Table.
When they had bidden the queen and their ladies farewell, they put on their helmets and were ready to set forth, and there was weeping and great sorrow. Then the queen departed to her chamber to hide her grief. So the knights mounted their horses and rode through the streets of Camelot, and there was much weeping of both rich and poor; and the king turned away, for he could not speak for weeping.