Christian knights! And now, I dare say, said Sir Ector, thou Sir Launcelot, there thou liest, that thou were never matched of earthly knight’s hands; and thou were the courtiest knight that ever bare shield; and thou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrode horse; and thou were the truest lover, of a sinful man, that ever loved woman; and thou were the kindest man that ever strake with sword; and thou were the goodliest person ever came among press of knights; and thou was the meekest man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies; and thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the rest.’ Let me compare with this Chaucer’s description of the knight of his times:— ‘A knight there was, and that a worthy[41] man, That from the timé that he first began To riden out, he loved chivalry, Truth and honóur, freedom and courtesy. Full worthy was he in his lordés war, And thereto had he ridden, no man farre, As well in Christendom as in Heatheness, And ever honoured for his worthiness. At Alisandre he was when it was won: Full oftentime he had the board begun Aboven allé natións in Prusse[42]: In Lethowe had he reyséd[43], and in Russe, No Christian man so oft, of his degree: In Gernade at the siege eke had he be Of Algesir, and ridden in Belmarie: At Leyés was he, and at Satalie, When they were won; and in the Greaté Sea At many a noble army had he be. At mortal battles had he been fifteen, And foughten for our faith at Tramissene In listés thriés, and aye slain his foe. This ilké worthy knight had been also Sometimé with the lord of Palathie Against another heathen in Turkey; And evermore he had a sovereign prise[44], And though that he was worthy he was wise, And of his port as meek as is a maid. He never yet no villainy ne said In all his life unto no manner wight: He was a very perfect gentle knight.’