When the four knights saw the damsel dead, right grieved were they
thereof. And the dwarf crieth out to them: "Lords, now shall it be
seen how you will avenge the sore mischief done you. So help me God,
great shame may you have and you cannot conquer a single knight."
They run upon him again on all sides, but maugre all their heads he
goeth thither where he thinketh to find his horse; but him findeth he
not. Thereby well knoweth he that the dwarf hath made away with him,
wherefore he redoubled his hardiment and his wrath waxed more and more.
And the knights were not to be lightly apaid when they saw their lord
dead and the damsel that was their cousin. Sore buffets they dealt him
of their swords the while he defended himself as best he might. He
caught the dwarf that was edging them on to do him hurt, and clave him
as far as the shoulders, and wounded two of the knights right badly,
and he himself was hurt in two places; but he might not depart from the
house, nor was his horse there within, nor was there but a single
entrance into the hall. The knights set themselves without the door
and guard the issue, and Lancelot was within with them that were dead.
He sate himself down at the top of the hall to rest him, for he was
sore spent with the blows he had given and received. When he had
rested himself awhile, he riseth to his feet and seeth that they have
sate them down in the entrance to the hall. He mounteth up to the
windows and flingeth them down them that were dead within through the
windows. Just then the day appeared, fair and clear, and the birds
began to sing amidst the forest, whereof the hall was overshadowed. He
maketh fast the door of the hall and barreth it and shutteth the
knights without; and they say one to the other and swear it, that they
will not depart thence until they have taken him or famished him to
death. Little had Lancelot recked of their threats and he might have
had his horse at will, but he was not so sure of his stroke afoot as
a-horseback, as no knight never is. Him thinketh he may well abide the
siege as long as God shall please, for the hall was well garnished of
meat in right great joints. He is there within all alone, and the four
knights without that keep watch that he goeth not, but neither wish nor
will hath he to go forth afoot; but, and he had had his horse, the
great hardiment that he hath in him would have made that he should go
forth honourably, howsoever they without might have taken it and what
grievance soever they might have had thereof.