Bab Bab 113 · How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir Kay’s harness, and

. How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir Kay’s harness, and

how he smote down a knight.

Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that had ridden long in a great forest,

and at the last he came into a low country, full of fair rivers and

meadows. And afore him he saw a long bridge, and three pavilions stood

thereon, of silk and sendal of divers hue. And without the pavilions

hung three white shields on truncheons of spears, and great long spears

stood upright by the pavilions, and at every pavilion’s door stood

three fresh squires, and so Sir Launcelot passed by them and spake no

word. When he was passed the three knights said them that it was the

proud Kay; He weeneth no knight so good as he, and the contrary is

ofttime proved. By my faith, said one of the knights, his name was Sir

Gaunter, I will ride after him and assay him for all his pride, and ye

may behold how that I speed. So this knight, Sir Gaunter, armed him,

and hung his shield upon his shoulder, and mounted upon a great horse,

and gat his spear in his hand, and walloped after Sir Launcelot. And

when he came nigh him, he cried, Abide, thou proud knight Sir Kay, for

thou shalt not pass quit. So Sir Launcelot turned him, and either

feutred their spears, and came together with all their mights, and Sir

Gaunter’s spear brake, but Sir Launcelot smote him down horse and man.

And when Sir Gaunter was at the earth his brethren said each one to

other, Yonder knight is not Sir Kay, for he is bigger than he. I dare

lay my head, said Sir Gilmere, yonder knight hath slain Sir Kay and

hath taken his horse and his harness. Whether it be so or no, said Sir

Raynold, the third brother, let us now go mount upon our horses and

rescue our brother Sir Gaunter, upon pain of death. We all shall have

work enough to match that knight, for ever meseemeth by his person it

is Sir Launcelot, or Sir Tristram, or Sir Pelleas, the good knight.

Then anon they took their horses and overtook Sir Launcelot, and Sir

Gilmere put forth his spear, and ran to Sir Launcelot, and Sir

Launcelot smote him down that he lay in a swoon. Sir knight, said Sir

Raynold, thou art a strong man, and as I suppose thou hast slain my two

brethren, for the which raseth my heart sore against thee, and if I

might with my worship I would not have ado with you, but needs I must

take part as they do, and therefore, knight, he said, keep thyself. And

so they hurtled together with all their mights, and all to-shivered

both their spears. And then they drew their swords and lashed together

eagerly. Anon therewith arose Sir Gaunter, and came unto his brother

Sir Gilmere, and bade him, Arise, and help we our brother Sir Raynold,

that yonder marvellously matched yonder good knight. Therewithal, they

leapt on their horses and hurtled unto Sir Launcelot.

And when he saw them come he smote a sore stroke unto Sir Raynold, that

he fell off his horse to the ground, and then he struck to the other

two brethren, and at two strokes he struck them down to the earth. With

that Sir Raynold began to start up with his head all bloody, and came

straight unto Sir Launcelot. Now let be, said Sir Launcelot, I was not

far from thee when thou wert made knight, Sir Raynold, and also I know

thou art a good knight, and loath I were to slay thee. Gramercy, said

Sir Raynold, as for your goodness; and I dare say as for me and my

brethren, we will not be loath to yield us unto you, with that we knew

your name, for well we know ye are not Sir Kay. As for that be it as it

be may, for ye shall yield you unto dame Guenever, and look that ye be

with her on Whitsunday, and yield you unto her as prisoners, and say

that Sir Kay sent you unto her. Then they swore it should be done, and

so passed forth Sir Launcelot, and each one of the brethren holp other

as well as they might.