"Damsel, I will do my best to amend myself and my doings, and right
well pleased am I of that it pleaseth you to say."
Their horses were caparisoned and the knights mounted, all armed. They
come together to the tournament with such an onset as that they pass
through the thickest of the press and overthrew knights and horses as
many as they encountered. King Arthur espieth Nabigant that came right
gaily caparisoned, and smiteth him so passing strong a buffet in the
midst of his breast that he beareth him down from his horse, in such
sort that he breaketh his collar-bone, and presenteth the destrier, by
his squire, to the younger damsel, that maketh great joy thereof. And
Messire Gawain searcheth the fellowships on all sides, and so well did
he search that scarce was one might endure his blows. King Arthur is
not idle, but pierceth shields and beateth in helms, the while all look
on in wonderment at him and Messire Gawain. The story saith that the
King would have done still better, but that he put not forth his full
strength in deeds of arms, for that Messire Gawain had done so ill the
day before, and now he would fain that he should have the prize.