The King sojourned at Cardoil of a long space. He believed in God and
His sweet Mother right well. He brought thither from the castle where
the Graal was the pattern whereby chalices should be made, and
commanded make them throughout all the land so as that the Saviour of
the world should be served more worshipfully. He commanded also that
bells be cast throughout his land after the fashion of the one he had
brought, and that each church should have one according to the means
thereof. This much pleased the people of his kingdom, for thereby was
the land somewhat amended. The tidings came to him one day that Briant
and Meliant were riding through his land with great routs of folk, and
were minded to assiege Pannenoisance; and the King issued forth of
Cardoil with great throng of knights all armed, and rode until he
espied Briant and his people, and Briant him again. They ranged their
battles on both sides, and came together with such might and so great a
shock as that it seemed the earth shook; and they melled together at
the assembly with their spears so passing grimly as that the frushing
thereof might be heard right far away. Some fourteen fell in the
assembly that rose up again never more. Meliant of the Waste Manor
searcheth for Lancelot in the midst of the stour until he findeth him,
and runneth upon him right sturdily and pierceth his shield with his
spear. Lancelot smiteth him such a sweep amidst the breast, that he
thrusteth his spear right through his shoulder, and pinneth him so
strongly that the shaft is all to-brast, and the end thereof remaineth
in his body. And Meliant, all stricken through as he is, runneth upon
him and passeth his spear right through the shield and through the arm,
in such sort that he pinneth it to his side. He passeth beyond and
breaketh his spear, and afterward returneth to Lancelot, sword in fist,
and dealeth him a buffet on the helm so grimly that he all to-battered
it in. Lancelot waxeth right wroth thereof, and he grieveth the more
for that he feeleth him wounded. He cometh toward Meliant, sword
drawn, and holding him well under cover of his shield and cover of his
helm, and smiteth Meliant so fiercely that he cleaveth his shoulder
down to the rib in such sort that the end of the spear wherewith he had
pierced him fell out therefrom. Meliant felt himself wounded to the
death, and draweth him back all sorrowful, and other knights run upon
Lancelot and deliver assault. Messire Ywain and Sagramors li Desirous
and Messire Gawain were on the other side in great jeopardy, for the
people of Briant of the Isles came from all parts, and waxed more and
more, and on all sides the greater number of knights had the upper hand
therein. King Arthur and Briant of the Isles were in the midst of the
battle, and dealt each other right great buffets. Briant's people come
thither and take King Arthur by the bridle, and the King defendeth
himself as a good knight, and maketh a ring about him amongst them that
attack him, the same as doth a wild boar amongst the dogs. Messire
Ywain is come thither and Lucan the Butler, and break through the press
by force. Thereupon, behold you Sagramors li Desirous, that cometh as
fast as his horse may gallop under him, and smiteth Briant of the Isles
right before his people with such a rush that he beareth him to the
ground in a heap, both him and his horse. Briant to-brast his thigh
bone in the fall that he made. Sagramors holdeth sword drawn and would
fain have thrust it into his body, when the King crieth to him that he
slay him not.