A great murmuring ariseth amongst the knights in the hall, and the most
part say plainly that they never heard tell of none that slew knights
in such cruel sort, nor so many as did he; and that neither Messire
Gawain nor Lancelot ought to be blamed for that they went not thither,
for no knight in the world might conquer such a man and our Lord God
did not, for he casteth forth fire and flame from his shield whensoever
him listeth. And while this murmur was going on between the knights
all round about the hall, behold you therewithal the Damsel that made
bear the knight in the horse-bier and cometh before the King.
"Sir," saith she, "I pray and beseech you that you do me right in your
court. See, here is Messire Gawain that was at the assembly in the Red
Launde where were many knights, and among them was the son of the Widow
Lady, that I see sitting beside you. He and Messire Gawain were they
that won the most prize of the assembly. This knight had white arms,
and they of the assembly said that he had better done than Messire
Gawain, for that he had been first in the assembly. It had been
granted me, before the assembly began, that he that should do best
thereat, should avenge the knight. Sir, I have sought for him until I
have now found him at your court. Wherefore I pray and beseech you
that you bid him do so much herein as that he be not blamed, for
Messire Gawain well knoweth that I have spoken true. But the knight
departed so soon from the assembly, that I knew not what had become of
him, and Messire Gawain was right heavy for that he had departed, for
he was in quest of him, but knew him not."