Chương Chương 435 · How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the

. How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the

queen; and when he would fight how another discharged him.

The day came on fast until the even that the battle should be. Then the

queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him how he was disposed. Truly madam,

said he, I am disposed in likewise as I promised you, that is for to

say I shall not fail you, unless by adventure there come a better

knight than I am to do battle for you, then, madam, am I discharged of

my promise. Will ye, said the queen, that I tell my lord Arthur thus?

Do as it shall please you, madam. Then the queen went unto the king and

told him the answer of Sir Bors. Have ye no doubt, said the king, of

Sir Bors, for I call him now one of the best knights of the world, and

the most profitablest man. And thus it passed on until the morn, and

the king and the queen and all manner of knights that were there at

that time drew them unto the meadow beside Westminster where the battle

should be. And so when the king was come with the queen and many

knights of the Round Table, then the queen was put there in the

Constable’s ward, and a great fire made about an iron stake, that an

Sir Mador de la Porte had the better, she should be burnt: such custom

was used in those days, that neither for favour, neither for love nor

affinity, there should be none other but righteous judgment, as well

upon a king as upon a knight, and as well upon a queen as upon another

poor lady.

So in this meanwhile came in Sir Mador de la Porte, and took his oath

afore the king, that the queen did this treason until his cousin Sir

Patrise, and unto his oath he would prove it with his body, hand for

hand, who that would say the contrary. Right so came in Sir Bors de

Ganis, and said: That as for Queen Guenever she is in the right, and

that will I make good with my hands that she is not culpable of this

treason that is put upon her. Then make thee ready, said Sir Mador, and

we shall prove whether thou be in the right or I. Sir Mador, said Sir

Bors, wit thou well I know you for a good knight. Not for then I shall

not fear you so greatly, but I trust to God I shall be able to

withstand your malice. But this much have I promised my lord Arthur and

my lady the queen, that I shall do battle for her in this case to the

uttermost, unless that there come a better knight than I am and

discharge me. Is that all? said Sir Mador, either come thou off and do

battle with me, or else say nay. Take your horse, said Sir Bors, and as

I suppose, ye shall not tarry long but ye shall be answered.

Then either departed to their tents and made them ready to horseback as

they thought best. And anon Sir Mador came into the field with his

shield on his shoulder and his spear in his hand; and so rode about the

place crying unto Arthur: Bid your champion come forth an he dare. Then

was Sir Bors ashamed and took his horse and came to the lists’ end. And

then was he ware where came from a wood there fast by a knight all

armed, upon a white horse, with a strange shield of strange arms; and

he came riding all that he might run, and so he came to Sir Bors, and

said thus: Fair knight, I pray you be not displeased, for here must a

better knight than ye are have this battle, therefore I pray you

withdraw you. For wit ye well I have had this day a right great

journey, and this battle ought to be mine, and so I promised you when I

spake with you last, and with all my heart I thank you of your good

will. Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur and told him how there was a

knight come that would have the battle for to fight for the queen. What

knight is he? said the king. I wot not, said Sir Bors, but such

covenant he made with me to be here this day. Now my lord, said Sir

Bors, here am I discharged.