Elfin music: an anthology of English fairy poetry

He was instructed to produce his mistress. If his claims about her wonderful charms were seen to be obviously true, he would receive his pardon. But the unfortunate lover had broken his agreement; he had boasted of his elfin lady, and consequently, his horse and squire had vanished. As the deadline rapidly approached, the day finally came when Launfal was to pay for his supposed crime with his life, and Triamour apparently had left him to his fate.

The knights of the Round Table, who were well aware of the Queen's true character, began plotting to rescue him and arranging for his flight across the sea. At that moment, "ten maidens of bright complexion" came to the royal castle as the heralds original: "avant coureures" of a lady. In anticipation of her arrival, King Arthur courteously prepared his most beautiful chamber and then summoned his barons:

To give judgment
Upon that traitor full of pride.

Ten more maidens rode up at this moment and, speaking privately with the monarch, announced the approach of the Lady Triamour. The Queen, coming forward, urged her husband to take revenge on Launfal; but

As the queen spoke to the king,
The barons saw coming riding
A damsel alone,

Upon a white, handsome horse palfrey,
They never saw anyone so beautiful

Walk upon the ground.

Her complexion was as red as a rose on the brier,
The hair shone upon her head,

Like gold wire that shines bright;

She had a crown upon the top of her head,
Of rich stones and of gold,

That lovely gleamed with light.

The lady was dressed in purple cloth palle,
With a noble body and a small waist,

That was a beautiful sight to see.

Her mantle was furred with white ermine,
Trimmed ireversyd prettily and fine,

Nothing could be more rich.

And when Launfal saw that lady,
He cried out loud to all the people,

Both to young and old,

"Here," he said, "comes my sweet mistress;
She could remedy my sorrows,

If that lady willed."

The lady rode into the hall, into the presence of the King, his queen, and her damsels. The maidens who had heralded her approach crowded around, assisting her to dismount. Arthur greeted her, and she returned his greeting with sweet words. She informed the monarch of her mission:

To clear Launfal the knight,
Showing that he never, in any folly,
Besought the queen for love-making drurye,
By day nor by night. . . .