Chapter Chapter 68 · How Arthur took upon him to fight to be delivered out of

. How Arthur took upon him to fight to be delivered out of

prison, and also for to deliver twenty knights that were in prison.

What are ye that so complain? said King Arthur. We be here twenty

knights, prisoners, said they, and some of us have lain here seven

year, and some more and some less. For what cause? said Arthur. We

shall tell you, said the knights; this lord of this castle, his name is

Sir Damas, and he is the falsest knight that liveth, and full of

treason, and a very coward as any liveth, and he hath a younger

brother, a good knight of prowess, his name is Sir Ontzlake; and this

traitor Damas, the elder brother will give him no part of his

livelihood, but as Sir Ontzlake keepeth thorough prowess of his hands,

and so he keepeth from him a full fair manor and a rich, and therein

Sir Ontzlake dwelleth worshipfully, and is well beloved of all people.

And this Sir Damas, our master is as evil beloved, for he is without

mercy, and he is a coward, and great war hath been betwixt them both,

but Ontzlake hath ever the better, and ever he proffereth Sir Damas to

fight for the livelihood, body for body, but he will not do; other-else

to find a knight to fight for him. Unto that Sir Damas had granted to

find a knight, but he is so evil beloved and hated, that there is never

a knight will fight for him. And when Damas saw this, that there was

never a knight would fight for him, he hath daily lain await with many

knights with him, and taken all the knights in this country to see and

espy their adventures, he hath taken them by force and brought them to

his prison. And so he took us separately as we rode on our adventures,

and many good knights have died in this prison for hunger, to the

number of eighteen knights; and if any of us all that here is, or hath

been, would have foughten with his brother Ontzlake, he would have

delivered us, but for because this Damas is so false and so full of

treason we would never fight for him to die for it. And we be so lean

for hunger that unnethe we may stand on our feet. God deliver you, for

his mercy, said Arthur.

Anon, therewithal there came a damosel unto Arthur, and asked him, What

cheer? I cannot say, said he. Sir, said she, an ye will fight for my

lord, ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never the

life. Now, said Arthur, that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a

knight than to die in prison; with this, said Arthur, I may be

delivered and all these prisoners, I will do the battle. Yes, said the

damosel. I am ready, said Arthur, an I had horse and armour. Ye shall

lack none, said the damosel. Meseemeth, damosel, I should have seen you

in the court of Arthur. Nay said the damosel, I came never there, I am

the lord’s daughter of this castle. Yet was she false, for she was one

of the damosels of Morgan le Fay.

Anon she went unto Sir Damas, and told him how he would do battle for

him, and so he sent for Arthur. And when he came he was well coloured,

and well made of his limbs, that all knights that saw him said it were

pity that such a knight should die in prison. So Sir Damas and he were

agreed that he should fight for him upon this covenant, that all other

knights should be delivered; and unto that was Sir Damas sworn unto

Arthur, and also to do the battle to the uttermost. And with that all

the twenty knights were brought out of the dark prison into the hall,

and delivered, and so they all abode to see the battle.