This high history witnesseth us that Lancelot was departed from the
Waste City wherein he was much honoured, and rode until that he came to
a forest where he met Meliot of Logres, that was sore dismayed of the
tidings he had heard of Messire Gawain. Lancelot asketh him whence he
cometh, and he saith from seeking Messire Gawain, of whom he had
tidings whereof he was right sorrowful.
"How," saith Lancelot, "Is he then otherwise than well?"
"Yea," saith he, "As I have heard tell: for he wont to be good knight
and hath now become evil. He was at the assembly of knights whereof I
met the harness and the fellowships, and they told me that never yet
was such cowardize in any knight, but that a knight who was with him
did right well. But howsoever he may have borne himself, right fain am
I to find him, for, maugre what any may say, I may scarce believe that
he is so bad after all."
"Sir," saith Lancelot, "I will seek him for you, and you can come along
with me and it seemeth you good."
Meliot of Logres betaketh him back with Lancelot. They ride until they
happen by chance upon the Waste Manor where the King and Messire Gawain
were lodged; and they were armed, and were minded to go forth from
thence. But the seven knights guarded the issue, all armed. The King
and Messire Gawain saw that no good would it do them to remain there
within, wherefore they passed over the bridge and came perforce to the
place where the seven knights were watching for them. Thereupon, they
went toward them all armed and struck among them, and the knights
received them on the points of their lances.