第66章 BOOK VI(5)

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.

CHAPTER VIII

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine fought together.

AND then they put their spears in the rests,and came together with their horses as fast as they might run,and either smote other in midst of their shields,that both their horses'backs brast under them,and the knights were both stonied.And as soon as they might avoid their horses,they took their shields afore them,and drew out their swords,and came together eagerly,and either gave other many strong strokes,for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes.And so within a while they had both grimly wounds,and bled passing grievously.Thus they fared two hours or more trasing and rasing either other,where they might hit any bare place.

Then at the last they were breathless both,and stood leaning on their swords.Now fellow,said Sir Turquine,hold thy hand a while,and tell me what I shall ask thee.Say on.Then Turquine said,Thou art the biggest man that ever I met withal,and the best breathed,and like one knight that I hate above all other knights;so be it that thou be not he I will lightly accord with thee,and for thy love I will deliver all the prisoners that Ihave,that is three score and four,so thou wilt tell me thy name.And thou and I we will be fellows together,and never to fail thee while that I live.It is well said,said Sir Launcelot,but sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship,what knight is he that thou so hatest above all other?

Faithfully,said Sir Turquine,his name is Sir Launcelot du Lake,for he slew my brother,Sir Carados,at the dolorous tower,that was one of the best knights alive;and therefore him I except of all knights,for may I once meet with him,the one of us shall make an end of other,I make mine avow.And for Sir Launcelot's sake I have slain an hundred good knights,and as many I have maimed all utterly that they might never after help themselves,and many have died in prison,and yet have I three score and four,and all shall be delivered so thou wilt tell me thy name,so be it that thou be not Sir Launcelot.