Kabanata Kabanata 471 · How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, and armed him in

. How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, and armed him in

his harness, and after slew Sir Agravaine, and twelve of his fellows.

And therewith Sir Launcelot wrapped his mantle about his arm well and

surely; and by then they had gotten a great form out of the hall, and

therewithal they rashed at the door. Fair lords, said Sir Launcelot,

leave your noise and your rashing, and I shall set open this door, and

then may ye do with me what it liketh you. Come off then, said they

all, and do it, for it availeth thee not to strive against us all; and

therefore let us into this chamber, and we shall save thy life until

thou come to King Arthur. Then Launcelot unbarred the door, and with

his left hand he held it open a little, so that but one man might come

in at once; and so there came striding a good knight, a much man and

large, and his name was Colgrevance of Gore, and he with a sword struck

at Sir Launcelot mightily; and he put aside the stroke, and gave him

such a buffet upon the helmet, that he fell grovelling dead within the

chamber door. And then Sir Launcelot with great might drew that dead

knight within the chamber door; and Sir Launcelot with help of the

queen and her ladies was lightly armed in Sir Colgrevance’s armour.

And ever stood Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred crying: Traitor-knight,

come out of the queen’s chamber. Leave your noise, said Sir Launcelot

unto Sir Agravaine, for wit you well, Sir Agravaine, ye shall not

prison me this night; and therefore an ye do by my counsel, go ye all

from this chamber door, and make not such crying and such manner of

slander as ye do; for I promise you by my knighthood, an ye will depart

and make no more noise, I shall as to-morn appear afore you all before

the king, and then let it be seen which of you all, outher else ye all,

that will accuse me of treason; and there I shall answer you as a

knight should, that hither I came to the queen for no manner of mal

engin, and that will I prove and make it good upon you with my hands.

Fie on thee, traitor, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, we will have

thee maugre thy head, and slay thee if we list; for we let thee wit we

have the choice of King Arthur to save thee or to slay thee. Ah sirs,

said Sir Launcelot, is there none other grace with you? then keep

yourself.

So then Sir Launcelot set all open the chamber door, and mightily and

knightly he strode in amongst them; and anon at the first buffet he

slew Sir Agravaine. And twelve of his fellows after, within a little

while after, he laid them cold to the earth, for there was none of the

twelve that might stand Sir Launcelot one buffet. Also Sir Launcelot

wounded Sir Mordred, and he fled with all his might. And then Sir

Launcelot returned again unto the queen, and said: Madam, now wit you

well all our true love is brought to an end, for now will King Arthur

ever be my foe; and therefore, madam, an it like you that I may have

you with me, I shall save you from all manner adventures dangerous.

That is not best, said the queen; meseemeth now ye have done so much

harm, it will be best ye hold you still with this. And if ye see that

as to-morn they will put me unto the death, then may ye rescue me as ye

think best. I will well, said Sir Launcelot, for have ye no doubt,

while I am living I shall rescue you. And then he kissed her, and

either gave other a ring; and so there he left the queen, and went

until his lodging.