So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the basin
with the butt of his spear so hard with all his might till the bottom
fell out, and long he did so, but he saw nothing. Then he rode endlong
the gates of that manor nigh half-an-hour. And then was he ware of a
great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the horse
there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and near,
Sir Launcelot thought he should know him. Then Sir Launcelot was ware
that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, a knight of the Table
Round. Now, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, I see yonder cometh a
knight fast bounden that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto
Sir Gawaine. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of
God, to rescue that knight; but if his master sit better in the saddle
I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am
sure he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him. By that time that
either had seen other, they gripped their spears unto them. Now, fair
knight, said Sir Launcelot, put that wounded knight off the horse, and
let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths; for as it is
informed me, thou doest and hast done great despite and shame unto
knights of the Round Table, and therefore now defend thee. An thou be
of the Table Round, said Turquine, I defy thee and all thy fellowship.
That is overmuch said, said Sir Launcelot.
CHAPTER VIII. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine fought together.
And then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with
their horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in midst
of their shields, that both their horses’ backs brast under them, and
the knights were both stonied. And as soon as they might avoid their
horses, they took their shields afore them, and drew out their swords,
and came together eagerly, and either gave other many strong strokes,
for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes. And so
within a while they had both grimly wounds, and bled passing
grievously. Thus they fared two hours or more trasing and rasing either
other, where they might hit any bare place.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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