Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble; Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
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Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and his Noble; Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances
_How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a tournament, and how he met with Sir
Turquine leading away Sir Gaheris._
With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he thrust in with his spear
in the thickest of the press, and there he smote down with one spear
five knights, and of four of them he brake their backs. And in that
throng he smote down the king of Northgalis, and brake his thigh in
that fall. All this doing of Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of
Arthur. Yonder is a shrewd guest, said Sir Mador de la Porte, therefore
have here once at him. So they encountered, and Sir Launcelot bare him
down horse and man, so that his shoulder went out of joint. Now
befalleth it to me to just, said Mordred, for Sir Mador hath a sore
fall. Sir Launcelot was ware of him, and gat a great spear in his hand,
and met him, and Sir Mordred brake a spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot
gave him such a buffet that the bow of his saddle brake, and so he flew
over his horse tail, that his helm went into the earth a foot and more,
that nigh his neck was broken, and there he lay long in a swoon. Then
came in Sir Gahalatine with a spear, and Launcelot against him, with
all their strength that they might drive, that both their spears
to-brast even to their hands, and then they flung out with their
swords, and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth out
of measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalatine on the helm, that his nose
burst out on blood, and ears and mouth both, and therewith his head
hung low. And therewith his horse ran away with him, and he fell down
to the earth.
Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his hand, and, or
ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the earth sixteen knights,
some horse and man, and some the man and not the horse, and there was
none but that he hit surely he bare none arms that day. And then he gat
another great spear, and smote down twelve knights, and the most part
of them never throve after. And then the knights of the king of
Northgalis would just no more, and there the prize was given unto king
Bagdemagus. So either party departed unto his own place, and Sir
Launcelot rode forth with king Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there he
had passing good cheer both with the king and with his daughter, and
they proffered him great gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and
told king Bagdemagus that he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel,
that went from him when that he slept. So he took his horse, and
betaught them all to God. And there he said unto the king’s daughter.
If ye have need any time of my service, I pray you let me have
knowledge, and I shall not fail you, as I am true knight.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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