How Sir Launcelot came the same time that Sir Meliagrance abode him in the field and dressed him to battle NOW leave we Sir Launcelot wallop all that he might,and speak we of Queen Guenever that was brought to a fire to be brent;for Sir Meliagrance was sure,him thought,that Sir Launcelot should not be at that battle;therefore he ever cried upon King Arthur to do him justice,other-else bring forth Sir Launcelot du Lake.Then was the king and all the court full sore abashed and shamed that the queen should be brent in the default of Sir Launcelot.
My lord Arthur,said Sir Lavaine,ye may understand that it is not well with my lord Sir Launcelot,for an he were alive,so he be not sick outher in prison,wit ye well he would be here;for never heard ye that ever he failed his part for whom he should do battle for.And therefore,said Sir Lavaine,my lord,King Arthur,I beseech you give me license to do battle here this day for my lord and master,and for to save my lady,the queen.Gramercy gentle Sir Lavaine,said King Arthur,for I dare say all that Sir Meliagrance putteth upon my lady the queen is wrong,for I have spoken with all the ten wounded knights,and there is not one of them,an he were whole and able to do battle,but he would prove upon Sir Meliagrance's body that it is false that he putteth upon my queen.So shall I,said Sir Lavaine,in the defence of my lord,Sir Launcelot,an ye will give me leave.Now I give you leave,said King Arthur,and do your best,for I dare well say there is some treason done to Sir Launcelot Then was Sir Lavaine armed and horsed,and suddenly at the lists'end he rode to perform this battle;and right as the heralds should cry:Lesses les aler,right so came in Sir Launcelot driving with all the force of his horse.And then Arthur cried:Ho!and Abide!Then was Sir Launcelot called on horseback to-fore King Arthur,and there he told openly to-fore the king and all,how Sir Meliagrance had served him first to last.And when the king,and the queen,and all the lords,knew of the treason of Sir Meliagrance they were all ashamed on his behalf.Then was Queen Guenever sent for,and set by the king in great trust of her champion.And then there was no more else to say,but Sir Launcelot and Sir Meliagrance dressed them unto battle,and took their spears;and so they came together as thunder,and there Sir Launcelot bare him down quite over his horse's croup.And then Sir Launcelot alighted and dressed his shield on his shoulder,with his sword in his hand,and Sir Meliagrance in the same wise dressed him unto him,and there they smote many great strokes together;and at the last Sir Launcelot smote him such a buffet upon the helmet that he fell on the one side to the earth.And then he cried upon him aloud:Most noble knight,Sir Launcelot du Lake,save my life,for I yield me unto you,and I require you,as ye be a knight and fellow of the Table Round,slay me not,for I yield me as overcome;and whether Ishall live or die I put me in the king's hands and yours.
Then Sir Launcelot wist not what to do,for he had had liefer than all the good of the world he might have been revenged upon Sir Meliagrance;and Sir Launcelot looked up to the Queen Guenever,if he might espy by any sign or countenance what she would have done.And then the queen wagged her head upon Sir Launcelot,as though she would say:Slay him.Full well knew Sir Launcelot by the wagging of her head that she would have him dead;then Sir Launcelot bade him rise for shame and perform that battle to the utterance.Nay,said Sir Meliagrance,Iwill never arise until ye take me as yolden and recreant.
I shall proffer you large proffers,said Sir Launcelot,that is for to say,I shall unarm my head and my left quarter of my body,all that may be unarmed,and let bind my left hand behind me,so that it shall not help me,and right so I shall do battle with you.Then Sir Meliagrance started up upon his legs,and said on high:My lord Arthur,take heed to this proffer,for I will take it,and let him be disarmed and bounden according to his proffer.
What say ye,said King Arthur unto Sir Launcelot,will ye abide by your proffer?Yea,my lord,said Sir Launcelot,I will never go from that I have once said.
Then the knights parters of the field disarmed Sir Launcelot,first his head,and sithen his left arm,and his left side,and they bound his left arm behind his back,without shield or anything,and then they were put together.Wit you well there was many a lady and knight marvelled that Sir Launcelot would jeopardy himself in such wise.Then Sir Meliagrance came with his sword all on high,and Sir Launcelot showed him openly his bare head and the bare left side;and when he weened to have smitten him upon the bare head,then lightly he avoided the left leg and the left side,and put his right hand and his sword to that stroke,and so put it on side with great sleight;and then with great force Sir Launcelot smote him on the helmet such a buffet that the stroke carved the head in two parts.Then there was no more to do,but he was drawn out of the field.And at the great instance of the knights of the Table Round,the king suffered him to be interred,and the mention made upon him,who slew him,and for what cause he was slain;and then the king and the queen made more of Sir Launcelot du Lake,and more he was cherished,than ever he was aforehand.
CHAPTER X
