A cry passed through the court. The knights and barons came down from the palaces, and noble King Arthur came too, and marvelled mightily that the boat was there with no guide.
The king stepped on to it and saw the damsel and the furnishings. He had the satchel opened and the letter was found. He ordered that it [[186]]should be read, and it ran: to all the knights of the Round Table this lady of Shallot sends greetings as to the gentlest folk in the world. And if you would know why I have come to this end, it is for the finest knight in the world and the most villainous, that is my lord Sir Lancelot of the Lake, whom I did not know how to beg that he should have pity on me. So I died there for loving well as you can see.
[1] Vassal to a king, a lord, or noble. [↑]
[2] The versions differ here. Biagi gives the lines about the sailless vessel with oars and no one aboard. [↑]
LXXXIII
How Christ going one day with his disciples in a deserted place, they saw great treasure
Christ one day going with his disciples through a deserted place, the disciples who followed Him saw some great pieces of fine gold shining there.
So they, calling Christ, and marvelling that He had not stayed to observe, said to Him: Lord, let us take this gold which will serve us for many needs.