King Madeglant one day issued forth of his ships to do battle against
Lancelot and them of the land. Lancelot received him right stoutly,
and slew many of his folk, and the more part fled and would fain have
drawn them to their ships, but Lancelot and his people went after and
cut a part of them to pieces. King Madeglant, with as many of his men
as he might, betaketh himself to his own ship privily, and maketh put
to sea the soonest he may. They that might not come to the ships
remained on dry land, and were so cut up and slain. Madeglant went his
way discomfited. Of ten ships full of men that he had brought he took
back with him but two. The land was in peace and assured in safety.
Lancelot remained there of a long space. They of the country loved him
much and gave themselves great joy of his valour and his great bounty,
insomuch that most of them say ofttimes that they would fain have such
a knight as was he for king, by the goodwill of King Arthur, for that
the land is too far away; but and if he would set there a knight or
other man that might protect the land, they would take it in right good
part, and he should hold the land of him, for they might not safeguard
it at their will without a champion, for that land without a lord may
but little avail. They of the land loved Lancelot well, as I tell you.
King Arthur was at Cardoil, and so were his knights together with him.
He thought to be assured in his kingdom and to live peaceably; but what
time he sate at meat one day in Cardoil, behold you thereupon a knight
that cometh before the Table Round without saluting him.
"Sir," saith he, "Where is Lancelot?"
"Sir," saith the King to the knight, "He is not in this country."
"By my head," saith the knight, "that misliketh me. Wheresoever he be,
he is your knight and of your household; wherefore King Claudas sendeth
you word that he is his mortal enemy, and you also, if so be that for
love of him you receive him from this day forward, for he hath slain
his sister's son, Meliant of the Waste Manor, and he slew the father of
Meliant likewise, but the father belongeth not to King Claudas.