King Arthur and Messire Gawain depart from the tent, and come a great
pace as though they fain would escape thence to come nigher the land
where they would be, and great desire had they of the coming of
Lancelot. They rode until that they came one night to the Waste Manor
whither the brachet led Messire Gawain when he found the dead knight
that Lancelot had slain. They lodged there the night, and found there
knights and damsels of whom they were known. The Lady of the Waste
Manor sent for succour to her knights, saying that she held there King
Arthur that slew other knights, and that his nephew Messire Gawain was
also there within, but dearly would she have loved that Lancelot had
been with them that slew her brother. Knights in plenty came to her to
do hurt to King Arthur and Messire Gawain, but she had at least so much
courtesy in her that she would not suffer any of them to do them ill
within her hold, albeit she kept seven of their number, full of great
hardiment, to guard the entrance of the bridge, so that King Arthur and
Messire Gawain might not depart thence save only amidst the points of
their spears.