"Briant," saith Messire Gawain, "Lancelot is nor here; and, moreover,
he is now on the King's business. Well know you that Meliant came to
you and that you made him knight, and that thereafter he warred upon
the King's land without reasonable occasion. The King was far away
from the land as he that made pilgrimage to the Graal. He was told
tidings that his land was being put to the worse, and he sent Lancelot
to protect it. He accordingly maintained the war as best he might
until such time as the King was returned. Meliant knew well that the
King was come back, and that never had he done wrong to none in his
court that wished to demand right therein. He neither came thither nor
sent, either to do right or to demand right, whether he did so for
despite or whether it was for that he knew not how to do it. In the
meanwhile he warred upon the King, that had never done him a wrong nor
refused to do him a right. Lancelot slew him in the King's war and
upon his land in defence thereof. There was peace of the war, as was
agreed on between you and the King, but and if any should therefore
hold Lancelot to blame of the death of Meliant, meseemeth that therein
is he wrong. For the others are not held to answer for them that they
slew; but and if you wish to say that Lancelot hath not slain him with
reason, howsoever he may have wrought aforetime in respect of his
father, I am ready to maintain his right by my body on behalf of his."