Then came there two knights all armed, and cried on high, Sir Gawaine!
knight of King Arthur’s, make thee ready in all haste and joust with
me. So they ran together, that either fell down, and then on foot they
drew their swords, and did full actually. The meanwhile the other
knight went to the damosel, and asked her why she abode with that
knight, and if ye would abide with me, I will be your faithful knight.
And with you will I be, said the damosel, for with Sir Gawaine I may
not find in mine heart to be with him; for now here was one knight
discomfited ten knights, and at the last he was cowardly led away; and
therefore let us two go whilst they fight. And Sir Gawaine fought with
that other knight long, but at the last they accorded both. And then
the knight prayed Sir Gawaine to lodge with him that night. So as Sir
Gawaine went with this knight he asked him, What knight is he in this
country that smote down the ten knights? For when he had done so
manfully he suffered them to bind him hand and foot, and so led him
away. Ah, said the knight, that is the best knight I trow in the world,
and the most man of prowess, and he hath been served so as he was even
more than ten times, and his name hight Sir Pelleas, and he loveth a
great lady in this country and her name is Ettard. And so when he loved
her there was cried in this country a great jousts three days, and all
the knights of this country were there and gentlewomen, and who that
proved him the best knight should have a passing good sword and a
circlet of gold, and the circlet the knight should give it to the
fairest lady that was at the jousts. And this knight Sir Pelleas was
the best knight that was there, and there were five hundred knights,
but there was never man that ever Sir Pelleas met withal but he struck
him down, or else from his horse; and every day of three days he struck
down twenty knights, therefore they gave him the prize, and forthwithal
he went thereas the Lady Ettard was, and gave her the circlet, and said
openly she was the fairest lady that there was, and that would he prove
upon any knight that would say nay.
CHAPTER XXI. How King Pelleas suffered himself to be taken prisoner
because he would have a sight of his lady, and how Sir Gawaine promised
him to get to him the love of his lady.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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