第 四百四十 章 · How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field

. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field

against them of King Arthur’s court, and how Launcelot was hurt.

Now, said Sir Launcelot, an ye will help me a little, ye shall see

yonder fellowship that chaseth now these men in our side, that they

shall go as fast backward as they went forward. Sir, spare not, said

Sir Lavaine, for I shall do what I may. Then Sir Launcelot and Sir

Lavaine came in at the thickest of the press, and there Sir Launcelot

smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay, Sir

Griflet, and all this he did with one spear; and Sir Lavaine smote down

Sir Lucan le Butler and Sir Bedevere. And then Sir Launcelot gat

another spear, and there he smote down Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and

Sir Mordred, and Sir Meliot de Logris; and Sir Lavaine smote Ozanna le

Cure Hardy. And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and there he smote

on the right hand and on the left hand, and by great force he unhorsed

Sir Safere, Sir Epinogris, and Sir Galleron; and then the knights of

the Table Round withdrew them aback, after they had gotten their horses

as well as they might. O mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is

yonder that doth so marvellous deeds of arms in that field? I wot well

what he is, said King Arthur, but as at this time I will not name him.

Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I would say it were Sir Launcelot by his riding

and his buffets that I see him deal, but ever meseemeth it should not

be he, for that he beareth the red sleeve upon his head; for I wist him

never bear token at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman. Let him be,

said King Arthur, he will be better known, and do more, or ever he

depart.

Then the party that was against King Arthur were well comforted, and

then they held them together that beforehand were sore rebuked. Then

Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel called unto them the

knights of their blood, as Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir

Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse. So these

nine knights of Sir Launcelot’s kin thrust in mightily, for they were

all noble knights; and they, of great hate and despite that they had

unto him, thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and Sir

Lavaine, for they knew them not; and so they came hurling together, and

smote down many knights of Northgalis and of Northumberland. And when

Sir Launcelot saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand; and there

encountered with him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel,

and all they three smote him at once with their spears. And with force

of themself they smote Sir Launcelot’s horse to the earth; and by

misfortune Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the shield into the

side, and the spear brake, and the head left still in his side.

When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie on the ground, he ran to the King

of Scots and smote him to the earth; and by great force he took his

horse, and brought him to Sir Launcelot, and maugre of them all he made

him to mount upon that horse. And then Launcelot gat a spear in his

hand, and there he smote Sir Bors, horse and man, to the earth. In the

same wise he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and Sir Lavaine smote

down Sir Blamore de Ganis. And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, for

he felt himself so sore y-hurt that he weened there to have had his

death. And then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet on the helm that

he fell down to the earth in a swoon. And in the same wise he served

Sir Aliduke and Sir Galihud. And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Bellangere,

that was the son of Alisander le Orphelin.

And by this was Sir Bors horsed, and then he came with Sir Ector and

Sir Lionel, and all they three smote with swords upon Sir Launcelot’s

helmet. And when he felt their buffets and his wound, the which was so

grievous, then he thought to do what he might while he might endure.

And then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet that he made him bow his head

passing low; and therewithal he raced off his helm, and might have

slain him; and so pulled him down, and in the same wise he served Sir

Ector and Sir Lionel. For as the book saith he might have slain them,

but when he saw their visages his heart might not serve him thereto,

but left them there. And then afterward he hurled into the thickest

press of them all, and did there the marvelloust deeds of arms that

ever man saw or heard speak of, and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight,

with him. And there Sir Launcelot with his sword smote down and pulled

down, as the French book maketh mention, mo than thirty knights, and

the most part were of the Table Round; and Sir Lavaine did full well

that day, for he smote down ten knights of the Table Round.