By God what a crisis I have been in! I do not wish to be arrogant, for I am but an honorable man! I myself am valiant, generous, handsome, and loyal to King Arthur, but I must be humble.
There I was, simply riding out with my horse and ending at a meadow. I must admit that I am a lonely man. It is not in my interest that I am usually included or given anything from the King. But that is no problem, for I pledge my faithfulness to only King Arthur. However, in that moment, it is as if God answered my prayers! Two women walking towards me—with such beauty! Richly dressed, the finest dark silk, and beauty unlike any other. Once they reached me, they sweetly greeted me and told me their lady has sent them to me and that I must follow them, for her pavilion was nearby. How is this possible and who is this noble, wise, and fair lady whom they speak of that is being sent for me! Fulsome I am in disbelief.
The two women led me to a tent, most luxurious, that not even Queen Semiramis nor the Emperor Octavian could afford the flap! And once I walked through, there I saw the fairest maiden. Not even the first lily or rose that has bloomed in the springtime could match her beauty. The fairy queen’s body was perfect—carved flawlessly inch to inch. I was speechless, as if I had seen Heaven itself! I shall not speak too much, in respect for my love. I shall only tell you milady’s and milords, that my maiden has treated me with such love and given me every boon I granted. She beseeched that I must not reveal our love, for I would lose her forever. Grant that I am an honorable man, I gladly accepted her request and spoke nothing in her favor.
Alas, my luck has changed once the Queen accused me of trying to seduce her and telling me that I do not care for that kind of pleasure! How dare she! I do not even understand the meaning behind such words. Yet I am conflicted because of my loyalty to Arthur. I have much respect for our King but what respect does the queen have for Arthur if she is trying to seduce me and accusing me of false allegations?
I admit I did tell her that even my fairy queen’s servant is far more beautiful than the Queen, but was I lying? Of course not! I speak the truth. But may God strike my soul for I have gone against my maiden’s wishes—in pure anger I have told her that I do love someone when it was my duty to not reveal anything.
Standing in silence and being accused of my disparity to the queen and for treason, I am bequeathed to accept my fate. Woe is me—what am I to do? I wish nothing more than to speak the truth of everything my maiden has done for me, for the love she has blessed me with; however, I do not wish to disparage the king as well. And suddenly, there she was—my love, my savior, my fairy queen! She has spoken the truth of our love to the king and his court! My lady has gone against her oath of me losing her forever and rescued me instead. I am overfilled with joy! I must respect my lady and let our love remain as clandestine and leave you with this milady’s and milords…We shall reside in Avalon to a beautiful isle and let our love live on. And that is all that I need to tell.
-Lanval
There I was, simply riding out with my horse and ending at a meadow. I must admit that I am a lonely man. It is not in my interest that I am usually included or given anything from the King. But that is no problem, for I pledge my faithfulness to only King Arthur. However, in that moment, it is as if God answered my prayers! Two women walking towards me—with such beauty! Richly dressed, the finest dark silk, and beauty unlike any other. Once they reached me, they sweetly greeted me and told me their lady has sent them to me and that I must follow them, for her pavilion was nearby. How is this possible and who is this noble, wise, and fair lady whom they speak of that is being sent for me! Fulsome I am in disbelief.
The two women led me to a tent, most luxurious, that not even Queen Semiramis nor the Emperor Octavian could afford the flap! And once I walked through, there I saw the fairest maiden. Not even the first lily or rose that has bloomed in the springtime could match her beauty. The fairy queen’s body was perfect—carved flawlessly inch to inch. I was speechless, as if I had seen Heaven itself! I shall not speak too much, in respect for my love. I shall only tell you milady’s and milords, that my maiden has treated me with such love and given me every boon I granted. She beseeched that I must not reveal our love, for I would lose her forever. Grant that I am an honorable man, I gladly accepted her request and spoke nothing in her favor.
Alas, my luck has changed once the Queen accused me of trying to seduce her and telling me that I do not care for that kind of pleasure! How dare she! I do not even understand the meaning behind such words. Yet I am conflicted because of my loyalty to Arthur. I have much respect for our King but what respect does the queen have for Arthur if she is trying to seduce me and accusing me of false allegations?
I admit I did tell her that even my fairy queen’s servant is far more beautiful than the Queen, but was I lying? Of course not! I speak the truth. But may God strike my soul for I have gone against my maiden’s wishes—in pure anger I have told her that I do love someone when it was my duty to not reveal anything.
Standing in silence and being accused of my disparity to the queen and for treason, I am bequeathed to accept my fate. Woe is me—what am I to do? I wish nothing more than to speak the truth of everything my maiden has done for me, for the love she has blessed me with; however, I do not wish to disparage the king as well. And suddenly, there she was—my love, my savior, my fairy queen! She has spoken the truth of our love to the king and his court! My lady has gone against her oath of me losing her forever and rescued me instead. I am overfilled with joy! I must respect my lady and let our love remain as clandestine and leave you with this milady’s and milords…We shall reside in Avalon to a beautiful isle and let our love live on. And that is all that I need to tell.
-Lanval