الفصل الفصل 488 · How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine did battle together, and

. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine did battle together, and

how Sir Gawaine was overthrown and hurt.

Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great way asunder, and

then they came together with all their horses’ might as they might run,

and either smote other in midst of their shields; but the knights were

so strong, and their spears so big, that their horses might not endure

their buffets, and so their horses fell to the earth; and then they

avoided their horses, and dressed their shields afore them. Then they

stood together and gave many sad strokes on divers places of their

bodies, that the blood brast out on many sides and places. Then had Sir

Gawaine such a grace and gift that an holy man had given to him, that

every day in the year, from underne till high noon, his might increased

those three hours as much as thrice his strength, and that caused Sir

Gawaine to win great honour. And for his sake King Arthur made an

ordinance, that all manner of battles for any quarrels that should be

done afore King Arthur should begin at underne; and all was done for

Sir Gawaine’s love, that by likelihood, if Sir Gawaine were on the one

part, he should have the better in battle while his strength endureth

three hours; but there were but few knights that time living that knew

this advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but King Arthur all only.

Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine, and when Sir Launcelot felt

his might evermore increase, Sir Launcelot wondered and dread him sore

to be shamed. For as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot weened, when

he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that he had been a fiend and

none earthly man; wherefore Sir Launcelot traced and traversed, and

covered himself with his shield, and kept his might and his braide

during three hours; and that while Sir Gawaine gave him many sad

brunts, and many sad strokes, that all the knights that beheld Sir

Launcelot marvelled how that he might endure him; but full little

understood they that travail that Sir Launcelot had for to endure him.

And then when it was past noon Sir Gawaine had no more but his own

might. When Sir Launcelot felt him so come down, then he stretched him

up and stood near Sir Gawaine, and said thus: My lord Sir Gawaine, now

I feel ye have done; now my lord Sir Gawaine, I must do my part, for

many great and grievous strokes I have endured you this day with great

pain.

Then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes and gave Sir Gawaine such a

buffet on the helmet that he fell down on his side, and Sir Launcelot

withdrew him from him. Why withdrawest thou thee? said Sir Gawaine; now

turn again, false traitor knight, and slay me, for an thou leave me

thus, when I am whole I shall do battle with thee again. I shall endure

you, Sir, by God’s grace, but wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, I will never

smite a felled knight. And so Sir Launcelot went into the city; and Sir

Gawaine was borne into King Arthur’s pavilion, and leeches were brought

to him, and searched and salved with soft ointments. And then Sir

Launcelot said: Now have good day, my lord the king, for wit you well

ye win no worship at these walls; and if I would my knights outbring,

there should many a man die. Therefore, my lord Arthur, remember you of

old kindness; and however I fare, Jesu be your guide in all places.