Chapter Chapter 286 · Of the sixth day, and what then was done.

. Of the sixth day, and what then was done.

Here beginneth the sixth day. Then came therein Sir Gaheris, and there

encountered with him Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and Sir Gaheris smote him

over his horse’s croup. And then either party encountered with other,

and there were many spears broken, and many knights cast under feet. So

there came in Sir Dornard and Sir Aglovale, that were brethren unto Sir

Lamorak, and they met with other two knights, and either smote other so

hard that all four knights and horses fell to the earth. When Sir

Lamorak saw his two brethren down he was wroth out of measure, and then

he gat a great spear in his hand, and therewithal he smote down four

good knights, and then his spear brake. Then he pulled out his sword,

and smote about him on the right hand and on the left hand, and raced

off helms and pulled down knights, that all men marvelled of such deeds

of arms as he did, for he fared so that many knights fled. Then he

horsed his brethren again, and said: Brethren, ye ought to be ashamed

to fall so off your horses! what is a knight but when he is on

horseback? I set not by a knight when he is on foot, for all battles on

foot are but pillers’ battles. For there should no knight fight on foot

but if it were for treason, or else he were driven thereto by force;

therefore, brethren, sit fast on your horses, or else fight never more

afore me.

With that came in the Duke Chaleins of Clarance, and there encountered

with him the Earl Ulbawes of Surluse, and either of them smote other

down. Then the knights of both parties horsed their lords again, for

Sir Ector and Bleoberis were on foot, waiting on the Duke Chaleins. And

the King with the Hundred Knights was with the Earl of Ulbawes. With

that came Gaheris and lashed to the King with the Hundred Knights, and

he to him again. Then came the Duke Chaleins and departed them.

Then they blew to lodging, and the knights unarmed them and drew them

to their dinner; and at the midst of their dinner in came Dinadan and

began to rail. Then he beheld the haut prince, that seemed wroth with

some fault that he saw; for he had a custom he loved no fish, and

because he was served with fish, the which he hated, therefore he was

not merry. When Sir Dinadan had espied the haut prince, he espied where

was a fish with a great head, and that he gat betwixt two dishes, and

served the haut prince with that fish. And then he said thus: Sir

Galahalt, well may I liken you to a wolf, for he will never eat fish,

but flesh; then the haut prince laughed at his words. Well, well, said

Dinadan to Launcelot, what devil do ye in this country, for here may no

mean knights win no worship for thee. Sir Dinadan, said Launcelot, I

ensure thee I shall no more meet with thee nor with thy great spear,

for I may not sit in my saddle when that spear hitteth me. And if I be

happy I shall beware of that boistous body that thou bearest. Well,

said Launcelot, make good watch ever: God forbid that ever we meet but

if it be at a dish of meat. Then laughed the queen and the haut prince,

that they might not sit at their table; thus they made great joy till

on the morn, and then they heard mass, and blew to field. And Queen

Guenever and all the estates were set, and judges armed clean with

their shields to keep the right.