Now, said Sir Launcelot, an ye will help me a little, ye shall see
yonder fellowship that chaseth now these men in our side, that they
shall go as fast backward as they went forward. Sir, spare not, said
Sir Lavaine, for I shall do what I may. Then Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine came in at the thickest of the press, and there Sir Launcelot
smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay, Sir
Griflet, and all this he did with one spear; and Sir Lavaine smote down
Sir Lucan le Butler and Sir Bedevere. And then Sir Launcelot gat
another spear, and there he smote down Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and
Sir Mordred, and Sir Meliot de Logris; and Sir Lavaine smote Ozanna le
Cure Hardy. And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and there he smote
on the right hand and on the left hand, and by great force he unhorsed
Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris, and Sir Galleron; and then the knights of
the Table Round withdrew them aback, after they had gotten their horses
as well as they might. O mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is
yonder that doth so marvellous deeds of arms in that field? I wot well
what he is, said King Arthur, but as at this time I will not name him.
Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I would say it were Sir Launcelot by his riding
and his buffets that I see him deal, but ever meseemeth it should not
be he, for that he beareth the red sleeve upon his head; for I wist him
never bear token at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman. Let him be,
said King Arthur, he will be better known, and do more, or ever he
depart.
Then the party that was against King Arthur were well comforted, and
then they held them together that beforehand were sore rebuked. Then
Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel called unto them the
knights of their blood, as Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir
Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse. So these
nine knights of Sir Launcelot’s kin thrust in mightily, for they were
all noble knights; and they, of great hate and despite that they had
unto him, thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and Sir
Lavaine, for they knew them not; and so they came hurling together, and
smote down many knights of Northgalis and of Northumberland. And when
Sir Launcelot saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand; and there
encountered with him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel,
and all they three smote him at once with their spears. And with force
of themself they smote Sir Launcelot’s horse to the earth; and by
misfortune Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the shield into the
side, and the spear brake, and the head left still in his side.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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