Bab Bab 108 · How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a tournament, and how he

. How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a tournament, and how he

met with Sir Turquine leading Sir Gaheris.

With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he thrust in with his spear

in the thickest of the press, and there he smote down with one spear

five knights, and of four of them he brake their backs. And in that

throng he smote down the King of Northgalis, and brake his thigh in

that fall. All this doing of Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of

Arthur’s. Yonder is a shrewd guest, said Sir Mador de la Porte,

therefore have here once at him. So they encountered, and Sir Launcelot

bare him down horse and man, so that his shoulder went out of lith. Now

befalleth it to me to joust, said Mordred, for Sir Mador hath a sore

fall. Sir Launcelot was ware of him, and gat a great spear in his hand,

and met him, and Sir Mordred brake a spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot

gave him such a buffet that the arson of his saddle brake, and so he

flew over his horse’s tail, that his helm butted into the earth a foot

and more, that nigh his neck was broken, and there he lay long in a

swoon.

Then came in Sir Gahalantine with a great spear and Launcelot against

him, with all their strength that they might drive, that both their

spears to-brast even to their hands, and then they flang out with their

swords and gave many a grim stroke. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth out of

measure, and then he smote Sir Gahalantine on the helm that his nose

brast out on blood, and ears and mouth both, and therewith his head

hung low. And therewith his horse ran away with him, and he fell down

to the earth. Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat a great spear in his

hand, and or ever that great spear brake, he bare down to the earth

sixteen knights, some horse and man, and some the man and not the

horse, and there was none but that he hit surely, he bare none arms

that day. And then he gat another great spear, and smote down twelve

knights, and the most part of them never throve after. And then the

knights of the King of Northgalis would joust no more. And there the

gree was given to King Bagdemagus.

So either party departed unto his own place, and Sir Launcelot rode

forth with King Bagdemagus unto his castle, and there he had passing

good cheer both with the king and with his daughter, and they proffered

him great gifts. And on the morn he took his leave, and told the king

that he would go and seek his brother Sir Lionel, that went from him

when that he slept, so he took his horse, and betaught them all to God.

And there he said unto the king’s daughter, If ye have need any time of

my service I pray you let me have knowledge, and I shall not fail you

as I am true knight. And so Sir Launcelot departed, and by adventure he

came into the same forest there he was taken sleeping. And in the midst

of a highway he met a damosel riding on a white palfrey, and there

either saluted other. Fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, know ye in this

country any adventures? Sir knight, said that damosel, here are

adventures near hand, an thou durst prove them. Why should I not prove

adventures? said Sir Launcelot for that cause come I hither. Well, said

she, thou seemest well to be a good knight, and if thou dare meet with

a good knight, I shall bring thee where is the best knight, and the

mightiest that ever thou found, so thou wilt tell me what is thy name,

and what knight thou art. Damosel, as for to tell thee my name I take

no great force; truly my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Sir, thou

beseemest well, here be adventures by that fall for thee, for hereby

dwelleth a knight that will not be overmatched for no man I know but ye

overmatch him, and his name is Sir Turquine. And, as I understand, he

hath in his prison, of Arthur’s court, good knights three score and

four, that he hath won with his own hands. But when ye have done that

journey ye shall promise me as ye are a true knight for to go with me,

and to help me and other damosels that are distressed daily with a

false knight. All your intent, damosel, and desire I will fulfil, so ye

will bring me unto this knight. Now, fair knight, come on your way; and

so she brought him unto the ford and the tree where hung the basin.

So Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, and then he beat on the basin

with the butt of his spear so hard with all his might till the bottom

fell out, and long he did so, but he saw nothing. Then he rode endlong

the gates of that manor nigh half-an-hour. And then was he ware of a

great knight that drove an horse afore him, and overthwart the horse

there lay an armed knight bound. And ever as they came near and near,

Sir Launcelot thought he should know him. Then Sir Launcelot was ware

that it was Sir Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, a knight of the Table

Round. Now, fair damosel, said Sir Launcelot, I see yonder cometh a

knight fast bounden that is a fellow of mine, and brother he is unto

Sir Gawaine. And at the first beginning I promise you, by the leave of

God, to rescue that knight; but if his master sit better in the saddle

I shall deliver all the prisoners that he hath out of danger, for I am

sure he hath two brethren of mine prisoners with him. By that time that

either had seen other, they gripped their spears unto them. Now, fair

knight, said Sir Launcelot, put that wounded knight off the horse, and

let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our strengths; for as it is

informed me, thou doest and hast done great despite and shame unto

knights of the Round Table, and therefore now defend thee. An thou be

of the Table Round, said Turquine, I defy thee and all thy fellowship.

That is overmuch said, said Sir Launcelot.