Chapter Chapter 287 · Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Launcelot, being

. Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Launcelot, being

disguised like a maid, smote down Sir Dinadan.

Now beginneth the seventh battle. There came in the Duke Cambines, and

there encountered with him Sir Aristance, that was counted a good

knight, and they met so hard that either bare other down, horse and

man. Then came there the Earl of Lambaile and helped the duke again to

horse. Then came there Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and he smote the Earl

Lambaile down from his horse. Then began they to do great deeds of

arms, and many spears were broken, and many knights were cast to the

earth. Then the King of Northgalis and the Earl Ulbawes smote together

that all the judges thought it was like mortal death. This meanwhile

Queen Guenever, and the haut prince, and Sir Launcelot, made there Sir

Dinadan make him ready to joust. I would, said Dinadan, ride into the

field, but then one of you twain will meet with me. Per dieu, said the

haut prince, ye may see how we sit here as judges with our shields, and

always mayest thou behold whether we sit here or not.

So Sir Dinadan departed and took his horse, and met with many knights,

and did passing well. And as he was departed, Sir Launcelot disguised

himself, and put upon his armour a maiden’s garment freshly attired.

Then Sir Launcelot made Sir Galihodin to lead him through the range,

and all men had wonder what damosel it was. And so as Sir Dinadan came

into the range, Sir Launcelot, that was in the damosel’s array, gat

Galihodin’s spear, and ran unto Sir Dinadan. And always Sir Dinadan

looked up thereas Sir Launcelot was, and then he saw one sit in the

stead of Sir Launcelot, armed. But when Dinadan saw a manner of a

damosel he dread perils that it was Sir Launcelot disguised, but Sir

Launcelot came on him so fast that he smote him over his horse’s croup;

and then with great scorns they gat Sir Dinadan into the forest there

beside, and there they dispoiled him unto his shirt, and put upon him a

woman’s garment, and so brought him into the field: and so they blew

unto lodging. And every knight went and unarmed them. Then was Sir

Dinadan brought in among them all. And when Queen Guenever saw Sir

Dinadan brought so among them all, then she laughed that she fell down,

and so did all that there were. Well, said Dinadan to Launcelot, thou

art so false that I can never beware of thee. Then by all the assent

they gave Sir Launcelot the prize, the next was Sir Lamorak de Galis,

the third was Sir Palomides, the fourth was King Bagdemagus; so these

four knights had the prize, and there was great joy, and great nobley

in all the court.

And on the morn Queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot departed unto King

Arthur, but in no wise Sir Lamorak would not go with them. I shall

undertake, said Sir Launcelot, that an ye will go with us King Arthur

shall charge Sir Gawaine and his brethren never to do you hurt. As for

that, said Sir Lamorak, I will not trust Sir Gawaine nor none of his

brethren; and wit ye well, Sir Launcelot, an it were not for my lord

King Arthur’s sake, I should match Sir Gawaine and his brethren well

enough. But to say that I should trust them, that shall I never, and

therefore I pray you recommend me unto my lord Arthur, and unto all my

lords of the Round Table. And in what place that ever I come I shall do

you service to my power: and sir, it is but late that I revenged that,

when my lord Arthur’s kin were put to the worse by Sir Palomides. Then

Sir Lamorak departed from Sir Launcelot, and either wept at their

departing.