Then they blew to lodging, and the knights unarmed them and drew them
to their dinner; and at the midst of their dinner in came Dinadan and
began to rail. Then he beheld the haut prince, that seemed wroth with
some fault that he saw; for he had a custom he loved no fish, and
because he was served with fish, the which he hated, therefore he was
not merry. When Sir Dinadan had espied the haut prince, he espied where
was a fish with a great head, and that he gat betwixt two dishes, and
served the haut prince with that fish. And then he said thus: Sir
Galahalt, well may I liken you to a wolf, for he will never eat fish,
but flesh; then the haut prince laughed at his words. Well, well, said
Dinadan to Launcelot, what devil do ye in this country, for here may no
mean knights win no worship for thee. Sir Dinadan, said Launcelot, I
ensure thee I shall no more meet with thee nor with thy great spear,
for I may not sit in my saddle when that spear hitteth me. And if I be
happy I shall beware of that boistous body that thou bearest. Well,
said Launcelot, make good watch ever: God forbid that ever we meet but
if it be at a dish of meat. Then laughed the queen and the haut prince,
that they might not sit at their table; thus they made great joy till
on the morn, and then they heard mass, and blew to field. And Queen
Guenever and all the estates were set, and judges armed clean with
their shields to keep the right.
CHAPTER XLIX. Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Launcelot, being
disguised like a maid, smote down Sir Dinadan.
Now beginneth the seventh battle. There came in the Duke Cambines, and
there encountered with him Sir Aristance, that was counted a good
knight, and they met so hard that either bare other down, horse and
man. Then came there the Earl of Lambaile and helped the duke again to
horse. Then came there Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and he smote the Earl
Lambaile down from his horse. Then began they to do great deeds of
arms, and many spears were broken, and many knights were cast to the
earth. Then the King of Northgalis and the Earl Ulbawes smote together
that all the judges thought it was like mortal death. This meanwhile
Queen Guenever, and the haut prince, and Sir Launcelot, made there Sir
Dinadan make him ready to joust. I would, said Dinadan, ride into the
field, but then one of you twain will meet with me. Per dieu, said the
haut prince, ye may see how we sit here as judges with our shields, and
always mayest thou behold whether we sit here or not.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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