Then at the request of Queen Guenever and of King Bagdemagus Sir
Launcelot came into the range, but he was disguised, and that was the
cause that few folk knew him; and there met with him Sir Ector de
Maris, his own brother, and either brake their spears upon other to
their hands. And then either gat another spear. And then Sir Launcelot
smote down Sir Ector de Maris, his own brother. That saw Sir Bleoberis,
and he smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet upon the helm that he wist not
well where he was. Then Sir Launcelot was wrothy and smote Sir
Bleoberis so sore upon the helm that his head bowed down backward. And
he smote eft another buffet, that he avoided his saddle; and so he rode
by, and thrust forth to the thickest. When the King of Northgalis saw
Sir Ector and Bleoberis lie on the ground then was he wroth, for they
came on his party against them of Surluse. So the King of Northgalis
ran to Sir Launcelot, and brake a spear upon him all to pieces.
Therewith Sir Launcelot overtook the King of Northgalis, and smote him
such a buffet on the helm with his sword that he made him to avoid his
horse; and anon the king was horsed again. So both the King Bagdemagus’
and the King of Northgalis’ party hurled to other; and then began a
strong medley, but they of Northgalis were far bigger.
When Sir Launcelot saw his party go to the worst he thrang into the
thickest press with a sword in his hand; and there he smote down on the
right hand and on the left hand, and pulled down knights and raced off
their helms, that all men had wonder that ever one knight might do such
deeds of arms. When Sir Meliagaunce, that was son unto King Bagdemagus,
saw how Sir Launcelot fared he marvelled greatly. And when he
understood that it was he, he wist well that he was disguised for his
sake. Then Sir Meliagaunce prayed a knight to slay Sir Launcelot’s
horse, either with sword or with spear. At that time King Bagdemagus
met with a knight that hight Sauseise, a good knight, to whom he said:
Now fair Sauseise, encounter with my son Meliagaunce and give him large
payment, for I would he were well beaten of thy hands, that he might
depart out of this field. And then Sir Sauseise encountered with Sir
Meliagaunce, and either smote other down. And then they fought on foot,
and there Sauseise had won Sir Meliagaunce, had there not come rescues.
So then the haut prince blew to lodging, and every knight unarmed him
and went to the great feast.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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