Lancelot armed him toward daybreak, and had his sword girt, his shield
at his neck, and his spear in his hand. So he entered into the cavern,
all shamefast, and the brachet followeth after, that he deigned not to
carry, and so cometh he to the place where the griffons were. So soon
as they heard him coming they dress them on their feet, and then writhe
along as serpents, then cast forth such fire, and so bright a flame
amidst the rock, as that all the cavern is lighted up thereof, and they
see by the brightness of light of their jaws the brachet coming. So
soon as they have espied her, they carry her in their claws and make
her the greatest cheer in the world. Lancelot passeth beyond without
gainsay, and espieth, toward the issue of the cavern, the lion that was
come from the forest all famished. He cometh thither right hardily,
sword drawn. The lion cometh toward him, jaws yawning, and claws
bared, thinking to fix them in his habergeon, but Lancelot preventeth
him and smiteth him so stoutly that he cutteth off thigh and leg
together. When the lion feeleth himself thus maimed, he seizeth him by
the teeth and the claws of his fore feet and rendeth away half the
skirt of his habergeon. Thereupon Lancelot waxeth wroth. He casteth
his shield to the ground and approacheth the lion closer. He seeth
that he openeth his jaws wide to avenge himself, and thrusteth his
sword the straightest he may into his gullet, and the lion giveth out a
roar and falleth dead. The damsel, that had come into the cavern,
heareth that the lion is dead.