ladies, and to fight for their quarrels; and that ever he should be
courteous, and never to refuse mercy to him that asketh mercy. Thus was
Gawaine sworn upon the Four Evangelists that he should never be against
lady nor gentlewoman, but if he fought for a lady and his adversary
fought for another. And thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine that
he did at the marriage of King Arthur. Amen.
CHAPTER IX. How Sir Tor rode after the knight with the brachet, and of
his adventure by the way.
When Sir Tor was ready, he mounted upon his horseback, and rode after
the knight with the brachet. So as he rode he met with a dwarf suddenly
that smote his horse on the head with a staff, that he went backward
his spear length. Why dost thou so? said Sir Tor. For thou shalt not
pass this way, but if thou joust with yonder knights of the pavilions.
Then was Tor ware where two pavilions were, and great spears stood out,
and two shields hung on trees by the pavilions. I may not tarry, said
Sir Tor, for I am in a quest that I must needs follow. Thou shalt not
pass, said the dwarf, and therewithal he blew his horn. Then there came
one armed on horseback, and dressed his shield, and came fast toward
Tor, and he dressed him against him, and so ran together that Tor bare
him from his horse. And anon the knight yielded him to his mercy. But,
sir, I have a fellow in yonder pavilion that will have ado with you
anon. He shall be welcome, said Sir Tor. Then was he ware of another
knight coming with great raundon, and each of them dressed to other,
that marvel it was to see; but the knight smote Sir Tor a great stroke
in midst of the shield that his spear all to-shivered. And Sir Tor
smote him through the shield below of the shield that it went through
the cost of the knight, but the stroke slew him not. And therewith Sir
Tor alighted and smote him on the helm a great stroke, and therewith
the knight yielded him and besought him of mercy. I will well, said Sir
Tor, but thou and thy fellow must go unto King Arthur, and yield you
prisoners unto him. By whom shall we say are we thither sent? Ye shall
say by the knight that went in the quest of the knight that went with
the brachet. Now, what be your two names? said Sir Tor. My name is,
said the one, Sir Felot of Langduk; and my name is, said the other, Sir
Petipase of Winchelsea. Now go ye forth, said Sir Tor, and God speed
you and me. Then came the dwarf and said unto Sir Tor, I pray you give
me a gift. I will well, said Sir Tor, ask. I ask no more, said the
dwarf, but that ye will suffer me to do you service, for I will serve
no more recreant knights. Take an horse, said Sir Tor, and ride on with
me. I wot ye ride after the knight with the white brachet, and I shall
bring you where he is, said the dwarf. And so they rode throughout a
forest, and at the last they were ware of two pavilions, even by a
priory, with two shields, and the one shield was enewed with white, and
the other shield was red.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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