Chapter Chapter 487 · What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir Launcelot; and how

. What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir Launcelot; and how

King Arthur laid siege to Benwick, and other matters.

Then Sir Gawaine said to the damosel thus: Damosel, say ye to Sir

Launcelot that it is waste labour now to sue to mine uncle; for tell

him, an he would have made any labour for peace, he should have made it

or this time, for tell him now it is too late; and say that I, Sir

Gawaine, so send him word, that I promise him by the faith I owe unto

God and to knighthood, I shall never leave him till he have slain me or

I him. So the damosel wept and departed, and there were many weeping

eyen; and so Sir Lucan brought the damosel to her palfrey, and so she

came to Sir Launcelot where he was among all his knights. And when Sir

Launcelot had heard this answer, then the tears ran down by his cheeks.

And then his noble knights strode about him, and said: Sir Launcelot,

wherefore make ye such cheer, think what ye are, and what men we are,

and let us noble knights match them in midst of the field. That may be

lightly done, said Sir Launcelot, but I was never so loath to do

battle, and therefore I pray you, fair sirs, as ye love me, be ruled as

I will have you, for I will always flee that noble king that made me

knight. And when I may no further, I must needs defend me, and that

will be more worship for me and us all than to compare with that noble

king whom we have all served. Then they held their language, and as

that night they took their rest.

And upon the morn early, in the dawning of the day, as knights looked

out, they saw the city of Benwick besieged round about; and fast they

began to set up ladders, and then they defied them out of the town, and

beat them from the walls wightly. Then came forth Sir Gawaine well

armed upon a stiff steed, and he came before the chief gate, with his

spear in his hand, crying: Sir Launcelot, where art thou? is there none

of you proud knights dare break a spear with me? Then Sir Bors made him

ready, and came forth out of the town, and there Sir Gawaine

encountered with Sir Bors. And at that time he smote Sir Bors down from

his horse, and almost he had slain him; and so Sir Bors was rescued and

borne into the town. Then came forth Sir Lionel, brother to Sir Bors,

and thought to revenge him; and either feutred their spears, and ran

together; and there they met spitefully, but Sir Gawaine had such grace

that he smote Sir Lionel down, and wounded him there passing sore; and

then Sir Lionel was rescued and borne into the town. And this Sir

Gawaine came every day, and he failed not but that he smote down one

knight or other.

So thus they endured half a year, and much slaughter was of people on

both parties. Then it befell upon a day, Sir Gawaine came afore the

gates armed at all pieces on a noble horse, with a great spear in his

hand; and then he cried with a loud voice: Where art thou now, thou

false traitor, Sir Launcelot? Why hidest thou thyself within holes and

walls like a coward? Look out now, thou false traitor knight, and here

I shall revenge upon thy body the death of my three brethren. All this

language heard Sir Launcelot every deal; and his kin and his knights

drew about him, and all they said at once to Sir Launcelot: Sir

Launcelot, now must ye defend you like a knight, or else ye be shamed

for ever; for, now ye be called upon treason, it is time for you to

stir, for ye have slept over-long and suffered over-much. So God me

help, said Sir Launcelot, I am right heavy of Sir Gawaine’s words, for

now he charged me with a great charge; and therefore I wot it as well

as ye, that I must defend me, or else to be recreant.

Then Sir Launcelot bade saddle his strongest horse, and bade let fetch

his arms, and bring all unto the gate of the tower; and then Sir

Launcelot spake on high unto King Arthur, and said: My lord Arthur, and

noble king that made me knight, wit you well I am right heavy for your

sake, that ye thus sue upon me; and always I forbare you, for an I

would have been vengeable, I might have met you in midst of the field,

and there to have made your boldest knights full tame. And now I have

forborne half a year, and suffered you and Sir Gawaine to do what ye

would do; and now may I endure it no longer, for now must I needs

defend myself, insomuch Sir Gawaine hath appealed me of treason; the

which is greatly against my will that ever I should fight against any

of your blood, but now I may not forsake it, I am driven thereto as a

beast till a bay.

Then Sir Gawaine said: Sir Launcelot, an thou durst do battle, leave

thy babbling and come off, and let us ease our hearts. Then Sir

Launcelot armed him lightly, and mounted upon his horse, and either of

the knights gat great spears in their hands, and the host without stood

still all apart, and the noble knights came out of the city by a great

number, insomuch that when Arthur saw the number of men and knights, he

marvelled, and said to himself: Alas, that ever Sir Launcelot was

against me, for now I see he hath forborne me. And so the covenant was

made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal with them, till the one

were dead or yelden.