Mallory–The Apotheosis of Lancelot

The Unicorn leaps across a stream, Netherlandish tapestry (1495)

Thou sir Launcelot there thou lyest that thou were neuer matched of erthely knyghtes hande

& thou were the curtest knyght that euer bare shelde

& thou were the truest frende to thy louar that euer bestrade hors

& thou were the trewest louer of a synful man that euer loued woman & thou were the kyndest man that euer strake wyth swerde

& thou were the godelyest persone þt euer cam emonge prees of knyghtes

& thou was the mekest man & the Ientyllest that euer ete in halle emonge ladyes

& thou were the sternest knyght to thy mortal foo that euer put spere in the breste

than there was wepyng & dolour out of mesure

Thus they kepte syr Launcelots corps on lofte xv dayes & than they buryed it with grete deuocyon

& than at leyser they wente al with the bysshop of canterburye to his ermytage & there they were to gyder more than a monthe.

–Sir Thomas Mallory, The Morte D’Arthur lib xxi, cap xiii (ca. 1460)