So King Mark rode by fortune by a well, in the way where stood a
knight-errant on horseback, armed at all points, with a great spear in
his hand. And when he saw King Mark coming flying he said: Knight,
return again for shame and stand with me, and I shall be thy warrant.
Ah, fair knight, said King Mark, let me pass, for yonder cometh after
me the best knight of the world, with the black bended shield. Fie, for
shame, said the knight, he is none of the worthy knights, and if he
were Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram I should not doubt to meet the
better of them both. When King Mark heard him say that word, he turned
his horse and abode by him. And then that strong knight bare a spear to
Dagonet, and smote him so sore that he bare him over his horse’s tail,
and nigh he had broken his neck. And anon after him came Sir Brandiles,
and when he saw Dagonet have that fall he was passing wroth, and cried:
Keep thee, knight, and so they hurtled together wonder sore. But the
knight smote Sir Brandiles so sore that he went to the earth, horse and
man. Sir Uwaine came after and saw all this. Jesu, said he, yonder is a
strong knight. And then they feutred their spears, and this knight came
so eagerly that he smote down Sir Uwaine. Then came Ozana with the
hardy heart, and he was smitten down. Now, said Sir Griflet, by my
counsel let us send to yonder errant-knight, and wit whether he be of
Arthur’s court, for as I deem it is Sir Lamorak de Galis. So they sent
unto him, and prayed the strange knight to tell his name, and whether
he were of Arthur’s court or not. As for my name they shall not wit,
but tell them I am a knight-errant as they are, and let them wit that I
am no knight of King Arthur’s court; and so the squire rode again unto
them and told them his answer of him. By my head, said Sir Agravaine,
he is one of the strongest knights that ever I saw, for he hath
overthrown three noble knights, and needs we must encounter with him
for shame. So Sir Agravaine feutred his spear, and that other was
ready, and smote him down over his horse to the earth. And in the same
wise he smote Sir Uwaine les Avoutres and also Sir Griflet. Then had he
served them all but Sir Dinadan, for he was behind, and Sir Mordred was
unarmed, and Dagonet had his harness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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