And on the morn Sir Launcelot arose, and delivered the damosel with
letters unto Sir Tristram, and then he took his way after La Cote Male
Taile; and by the way upon a bridge there was a knight proffered Sir
Launcelot to joust, and Sir Launcelot smote him down, and then they
fought upon foot a noble battle together, and a mighty; and at the last
Sir Launcelot smote him down grovelling upon his hands and his knees.
And then that knight yielded him, and Sir Launcelot received him fair.
Sir, said the knight, I require thee tell me your name, for much my
heart giveth unto you. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, as at this time I will
not tell you my name, unless then that ye tell me your name. Certainly,
said the knight, my name is Sir Nerovens, that was made knight of my
lord Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah, Nerovens de Lile, said Sir Launcelot, I
am right glad that ye are proved a good knight, for now wit ye well my
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said Sir Nerovens de Lile, what
have I done! And therewithal flatling he fell to his feet, and would
have kissed them, but Sir Launcelot would not let him; and then either
made great joy of other. And then Sir Nerovens told Sir Launcelot that
he should not go by the Castle of Pendragon: For there is a lord, a
mighty knight, and many knights with him, and this night I heard say
that they took a knight prisoner yesterday that rode with a damosel,
and they say he is a Knight of the Round Table.
CHAPTER VI. How Sir Launcelot fought with six knights, and after with
Sir Brian, and how he delivered the prisoners.
Ah, said Sir Launcelot, that knight is my fellow, and him shall I
rescue or else I shall lose my life therefore. And therewithal he rode
fast till he came before the Castle of Pendragon; and anon therewithal
there came six knights, and all made them ready to set upon Sir
Launcelot at once; then Sir Launcelot feutred his spear, and smote the
foremost that he brake his back in-sunder, and three of them hit and
three failed. And then Sir Launcelot passed through them, and lightly
he turned in again, and smote another knight through the breast and
throughout the back more than an ell, and therewithal his spear brake.
So then all the remnant of the four knights drew their swords and
lashed at Sir Launcelot. And at every stroke Sir Launcelot bestowed so
his strokes that at four strokes sundry they avoided their saddles,
passing sore wounded; and forthwithal he rode hurling into that castle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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