บทที่ บทที่ 98 · How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the

. How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the

Romans, entered into Almaine, and so into Italy.

Now turn we unto King Arthur and his noble knights, which, after the

great battle achieved against the Romans, entered into Lorraine,

Brabant and Flanders, and sithen returned into Haut Almaine, and so

over the mountains into Lombardy, and after, into Tuscany wherein was a

city which in no wise would yield themself nor obey, wherefore King

Arthur besieged it, and lay long about it, and gave many assaults to

the city; and they within defended them valiantly. Then, on a time, the

king called Sir Florence, a knight, and said to him they lacked

victual, And not far from hence be great forests and woods, wherein be

many of mine enemies with much bestial: I will that thou make thee

ready and go thither in foraying, and take with thee Sir Gawaine my

nephew, Sir Wisshard, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond, and the Captain of

Cardiff with other, and bring with you all the beasts that ye there can

get.

And anon these knights made them ready, and rode over holts and hills,

through forests and woods, till they came into a fair meadow full of

fair flowers and grass; and there they rested them and their horses all

that night. And in the springing of the day in the next morn, Sir

Gawaine took his horse and stole away from his fellowship, to seek some

adventures. And anon he was ware of a man armed, walking his horse

easily by a wood’s side, and his shield laced to his shoulder, sitting

on a strong courser, without any man saving a page bearing a mighty

spear. The knight bare in his shield three griffins of gold, in sable

carbuncle, the chief of silver. When Sir Gawaine espied this gay

knight, he feutred his spear, and rode straight to him, and demanded of

him from whence that he was. That other answered and said he was of

Tuscany, and demanded of Sir Gawaine, What, profferest thou, proud

knight, thee so boldly? here gettest thou no prey, thou mayest prove

what thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner or thou depart. Then said

Gawaine, thou avauntest thee greatly and speakest proud words, I

counsel thee for all thy boast that thou make thee ready, and take thy

gear to thee, to-fore greater grame fall to thee.