Chapter Chapter 203 · How La Cote Male Taile was taken prisoner, and after

. How La Cote Male Taile was taken prisoner, and after

rescued by Sir Launcelot, and how Sir Launcelot overcame four brethren.

This meanwhile Sir La Cote Male Taile sank right down upon the earth,

what for-wounded and what for-bled he might not stand. Then the other

knight had pity of him, and said: Fair young knight, dismay you not,

for had ye been fresh when ye met with me, as I was, I wot well that I

should not have endured so long as ye have done; and therefore for your

noble deeds of arms I shall show to you kindness and gentleness in all

that I may. And forthwithal this noble knight, Sir Plenorius, took him

up in his arms, and led him into his tower. And then he commanded him

the wine, and made to search him and to stop his bleeding wounds. Sir,

said La Cote Male Taile, withdraw you from me, and hie you to yonder

bridge again, for there will meet with you another manner knight than

ever was I. Why, said Plenorius, is there another manner knight behind

of your fellowship? Yea, said La Cote Male Taile, there is a much

better knight than I am. What is his name? said Plenorius. Ye shall not

know for me, said La Cote Male Taile. Well, said the knight, he shall

be encountered withal whatsomever he be.

Then Sir Plenorius heard a knight call that said: Sir Plenorius, where

art thou? either thou must deliver me the prisoner that thou hast led

unto thy tower, or else come and do battle with me. Then Plenorius gat

his horse, and came with a spear in his hand walloping toward Sir

Launcelot; and then they began to feutre their spears, and came

together as thunder, and smote either other so mightily that their

horses fell down under them. And then they avoided their horses, and

pulled out their swords, and like two bulls they lashed together with

great strokes and foins; but ever Sir Launcelot recovered ground upon

him, and Sir Plenorius traced to have gone about him. But Sir Launcelot

would not suffer that, but bare him backer and backer, till he came

nigh his tower gate. And then said Sir Launcelot: I know thee well for

a good knight, but wit thou well thy life and death is in my hand, and

therefore yield thee to me, and thy prisoner. The other answered no

word, but struck mightily upon Sir Launcelot’s helm, that the fire

sprang out of his eyes. Then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes so

thick, and smote at him so mightily, that he made him kneel upon his

knees. And therewith Sir Launcelot leapt upon him, and pulled him

grovelling down. Then Sir Plenorius yielded him, and his tower, and all

his prisoners at his will.

Then Sir Launcelot received him and took his troth; and then he rode to

the other bridge, and there Sir Launcelot jousted with other three of

his brethren, the one hight Pillounes, and the other hight Pellogris,

and the third Sir Pellandris. And first upon horseback Sir Launcelot

smote them down, and afterward he beat them on foot, and made them to

yield them unto him; and then he returned unto Sir Plenorius, and there

he found in his prison King Carados of Scotland, and many other

knights, and all they were delivered. And then Sir La Cote Male Taile

came to Sir Launcelot, and then Sir Launcelot would have given him all

these fortresses and these bridges. Nay, said La Cote Male Taile, I

will not have Sir Plenorius’ livelihood; with that he will grant you,

my lord Sir Launcelot, to come unto King Arthur’s court, and to be his

knight, and all his brethren, I will pray you, my lord, to let him have

his livelihood. I will well, said Sir Launcelot, with this that he will

come to the court of King Arthur and become his man, and his brethren

five. And as for you, Sir Plenorius, I will undertake, said Sir

Launcelot, at the next feast, so there be a place voided, that ye shall

be Knight of the Round Table. Sir, said Plenorius, at the next feast of

Pentecost I will be at Arthur’s court, and at that time I will be

guided and ruled as King Arthur and ye will have me. Then Sir Launcelot

and Sir La Cote Male Taile reposed them there, unto the time that Sir

La Cote Male Taile was whole of his wounds, and there they had merry

cheer, and good rest, and many good games, and there were many fair

ladies.