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<h2> CHAPTER VII. How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a tournament, and how he met with Sir Turquine leading Sir Gaheris. </h2>
<p>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's. 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 lith. Now befalleth it to me to joust, 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 arson of
his saddle brake, and so he flew over his horse's tail, that his helm
butted into the earth a foot and more, that nigh his neck was broken, and
there he lay long in a swoon.</p>
<p>Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a great 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 flang out with their swords
and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth out of measure,
and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on the helm that his nose brast 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 joust
no more. And there the gree was given to King Bagdemagus.</p>
<p>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 the king 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. And so
Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventure he came into the same forest
there he was taken sleeping. And in the midst of a highway he met a
damosel riding on a white palfrey, and there either saluted other. Fair
damosel, said Sir Launcelot, know ye in this country any adventures? Sir
knight, said that damosel, here are adventures near hand, an thou durst
prove them. Why should I not prove adventures? said Sir Launcelot for that
cause come I hither. Well, said she, thou seemest well to be a good
knight, and if thou dare meet with a good knight, I shall bring thee where
is the best knight, and the mightiest that ever thou found, so thou wilt
tell me what is thy name, and what knight thou art. Damosel, as for to
tell thee my name I take no great force; truly my name is Sir Launcelot du
Lake. Sir, thou beseemest well, here be adventures by that fall for thee,
for hereby dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man I
know but ye overmatch him, and his name is Sir Turquine. And, as I
understand, he hath in his prison, of Arthur's court, good knights three
score and four, that he hath won with his own hands. But when ye have done
that journey ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight for to go with
me, and to help me and other damosels that are distressed daily with a
false knight. All your intent, damosel, and desire I will fulfil, so ye
will bring me unto this knight. Now, fair knight, come on your way; and so
she brought him unto the ford and the tree where hung the basin.</p>
<p>So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the basin with
the butt of his spear so hard with all his might till the bottom fell out,
and long he did so, but he saw nothing. Then he rode endlong the gates of
that manor nigh half-an-hour. And then was he ware of a great knight that
drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the horse there lay an armed
knight bound. And ever as they came near and near, Sir Launcelot thought
he should know him. Then Sir Launcelot was ware that it was Sir Gaheris,
Gawaine's brother, a knight of the Table Round. Now, fair damosel, said
Sir Launcelot, I see yonder cometh a knight fast bounden that is a fellow
of mine, and brother he is unto Sir Gawaine. And at the first beginning I
promise you, by the leave of God, to rescue that knight; but if his master
sit better in the saddle I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath
out of danger, for I am sure he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with
him. By that time that either had seen other, they gripped their spears
unto them. Now, fair knight, said Sir Launcelot, put that wounded knight
off the horse, and let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our
strengths; for as it is informed me, thou doest and hast done great
despite and shame unto knights of the Round Table, and therefore now
defend thee. An thou be of the Table Round, said Turquine, I defy thee and
all thy fellowship. That is overmuch said, said Sir Launcelot.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER VIII. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine fought together. </h2>
<p>AND then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with their
horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in midst of their
shields, that both their horses' backs brast under them, and the knights
were both stonied. And as soon as they might avoid their horses, they took
their shields afore them, and drew out their swords, and came together
eagerly, and either gave other many strong strokes, for there might
neither shields nor harness hold their strokes. And so within a while they
had both grimly wounds, and bled passing grievously. Thus they fared two
hours or more trasing and rasing either other, where they might hit any
bare place.</p>
<p>Then at the last they were breathless both, and stood leaning on their
swords. Now fellow, said Sir Turquine, hold thy hand a while, and tell me
what I shall ask thee. Say on. Then Turquine said, Thou art the biggest
man that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and like one knight
that I hate above all other knights; so be it that thou be not he I will
lightly accord with thee, and for thy love I will deliver all the
prisoners that I have, that is three score and four, so thou wilt tell me
thy name. And thou and I we will be fellows together, and never to fail
thee while that I live. It is well said, said Sir Launcelot, but sithen it
is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight is he that thou so
hatest above all other? Faithfully, said Sir Turquine, his name is Sir
Launcelot du Lake, for he slew my brother, Sir Carados, at the dolorous
tower, that was one of the best knights alive; and therefore him I except
of all knights, for may I once meet with him, the one of us shall make an
end of other, I make mine avow. And for Sir Launcelot's sake I have slain
an hundred good knights, and as many I have maimed all utterly that they
might never after help themselves, and many have died in prison, and yet
have I three score and four, and all shall be delivered so thou wilt tell
me thy name, so be it that thou be not Sir Launcelot.</p>
<p>Now, see I well, said Sir Launcelot, that such a man I might be, I might
have peace, and such a man I might be, that there should be war mortal
betwixt us. And now, sir knight, at thy request I will that thou wit and
know that I am Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, and very
knight of the Table Round. And now I defy thee, and do thy best. Ah, said
Turquine, Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome that ever was knight,
for we shall never depart till the one of us be dead. Then they hurtled
together as two wild bulls rushing and lashing with their shields and
swords, that sometime they fell both over their noses. Thus they fought
still two hours and more, and never would have rest, and Sir Turquine gave
Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the ground thereas they fought was all
bespeckled with blood.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER IX. How Sir Turquine was slain, and how Sir Launcelot bade Sir Gaheris deliver all the prisoners. </h2>
<p>THEN at the last Sir Turquine waxed faint, and gave somewhat aback, and
bare his shield low for weariness. That espied Sir Launcelot, and leapt
upon him fiercely and gat him by the beaver of his helmet, and plucked him
down on his knees, and anon he raced off his helm, and smote his neck in
sunder. And when Sir Launcelot had done this, he yode unto the damosel and
said, Damosel, I am ready to go with you where ye will have me, but I have
no horse. Fair sir, said she, take this wounded knight's horse and send
him into this manor, and command him to deliver all the prisoners. So Sir
Launcelot went unto Gaheris, and prayed him not to be aggrieved for to
lend him his horse. Nay, fair lord, said Gaheris, I will that ye take my
horse at your own commandment, for ye have both saved me and my horse, and
this day I say ye are the best knight in the world, for ye have slain this
day in my sight the mightiest man and the best knight except you that ever
I saw, and, fair sir, said Gaheris, I pray you tell me your name. Sir, my
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, that ought to help you of right for King
Arthur's sake, and in especial for my lord Sir Gawaine's sake, your own
dear brother; and when that ye come within yonder manor, I am sure ye
shall find there many knights of the Round Table, for I have seen many of
their shields that I know on yonder tree. There is Kay's shield, and Sir
Brandel's shield, and Sir Marhaus' shield, and Sir Galind's shield, and
Sir Brian de Listnois' shield, and Sir Aliduke's shield, with many more
that I am not now advised of, and also my two brethren's shields, Sir
Ector de Maris and Sir Lionel; wherefore I pray you greet them all from
me, and say that I bid them take such stuff there as they find, and that
in any wise my brethren go unto the court and abide me there till that I
come, for by the feast of Pentecost I cast me to be there, for as at this
time I must ride with this damosel for to save my promise.</p>
<p>And so he departed from Gaheris, and Gaheris yede in to the manor, and
there he found a yeoman porter keeping there many keys. Anon withal Sir
Gaheris threw the porter unto the ground and took the keys from him, and
hastily he opened the prison door, and there he let out all the prisoners,
and every man loosed other of their bonds. And when they saw Sir Gaheris,
all they thanked him, for they weened that he was wounded. Not so, said
Gaheris, it was Launcelot that slew him worshipfully with his own hands. I
saw it with mine own eyes. And he greeteth you all well, and prayeth you
to haste you to the court; and as unto Sir Lionel and Ector de Maris he
prayeth you to abide him at the court. That shall we not do, says his
brethren, we will find him an we may live. So shall I, said Sir Kay, find
him or I come at the court, as I am true knight.</p>
<p>Then all those knights sought the house thereas the armour was, and then
they armed them, and every knight found his own horse, and all that ever
longed unto him. And when this was done, there came a forester with four
horses laden with fat venison. Anon, Sir Kay said, Here is good meat for
us for one meal, for we had not many a day no good repast. And so that
venison was roasted, baken, and sodden, and so after supper some abode
there all night, but Sir Lionel and Ector de Maris and Sir Kay rode after
Sir Launcelot to find him if they might.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER X. How Sir Launcelot rode with a damosel and slew a knight that distressed all ladies and also a villain that kept a bridge. </h2>
<p>NOW turn we unto Sir Launcelot, that rode with the damosel in a fair
highway. Sir, said the damosel, here by this way haunteth a knight that
distressed all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth them or
lieth by them. What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief and a knight and a
ravisher of women? he doth shame unto the order of knighthood, and
contrary unto his oath; it is pity that he liveth. But, fair damosel, ye
shall ride on afore, yourself, and I will keep myself in covert, and if
that he trouble you or distress you I shall be your rescue and learn him
to be ruled as a knight.</p>
<p>So the maid rode on by the way a soft ambling pace, and within a while
came out that knight on horseback out of the wood, and his page with him,
and there he put the damosel from her horse, and then she cried. With that
came Launcelot as fast as he might till he came to that knight, saying, O
thou false knight and traitor unto knighthood, who did learn thee to
distress ladies and gentlewomen? When the knight saw Sir Launcelot thus
rebuking him he answered not, but drew his sword and rode unto Sir
Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot threw his spear from him, and drew out his
sword, and struck him such a buffet on the helmet that he clave his head
and neck unto the throat. Now hast thou thy payment that long thou hast
deserved! That is truth, said the damosel, for like as Sir Turquine
watched to destroy knights, so did this knight attend to destroy and
distress ladies, damosels, and gentlewomen, and his name was Sir Peris de
Forest Savage. Now, damosel, said Sir Launcelot, will ye any more service
of me? Nay, sir, she said, at this time, but almighty Jesu preserve you
wheresomever ye ride or go, for the curteist knight thou art, and meekest
unto all ladies and gentlewomen, that now liveth. But one thing, sir
knight, methinketh ye lack, ye that are a knight wifeless, that he will
not love some maiden or gentlewoman, for I could never hear say that ever
ye loved any of no manner degree, and that is great pity; but it is noised
that ye love Queen Guenever, and that she hath ordained by enchantment
that ye shall never love none other but her, nor none other damosel nor
lady shall rejoice you; wherefore many in this land, of high estate and
low, make great sorrow.</p>
<p>Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, I may not warn people to speak of me
what it pleaseth them; but for to be a wedded man, I think it not; for
then I must couch with her, and leave arms and tournaments, battles, and
adventures; and as for to say for to take my pleasaunce with paramours,
that will I refuse in principal for dread of God; for knights that be
adventurous or lecherous shall not be happy nor fortunate unto the wars,
for other they shall be overcome with a simpler knight than they be
themselves, other else they shall by unhap and their cursedness slay
better men than they be themselves. And so who that useth paramours shall
be unhappy, and all thing is unhappy that is about them.</p>
<p>And so Sir Launcelot and she departed. And then he rode in a deep forest
two days and more, and had strait lodging. So on the third day he rode
over a long bridge, and there stert upon him suddenly a passing foul
churl, and he smote his horse on the nose that he turned about, and asked
him why he rode over that bridge without his licence. Why should I not
ride this way? said Sir Launcelot, I may not ride beside. Thou shalt not
choose, said the churl, and lashed at him with a great club shod with
iron. Then Sir Launcelot drew his sword and put the stroke aback, and
clave his head unto the paps. At the end of the bridge was a fair village,
and all the people, men and women, cried on Sir Launcelot, and said, A
worse deed didst thou never for thyself, for thou hast slain the chief
porter of our castle. Sir Launcelot let them say what they would, and
straight he went into the castle; and when he came into the castle he
alighted, and tied his horse to a ring on the wall and there he saw a fair
green court, and thither he dressed him, for there him thought was a fair
place to fight in. So he looked about, and saw much people in doors and
windows that said, Fair knight, thou art unhappy.</p>
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