"Damsel," saith the King, "Pray Lancelot that he be fain to set his
hand, and then the rest shall go after him if needs be."
"Lancelot," saith the damsel, "By the thing that most you love, make
not mine errand bootless, but set your hand to the quarrel and then
will the others do that they ought of right to do. For no leisure have
I to tarry here long time."
"Damsel," saith Lancelot, "Ill do you, and a sin, to conjure me for
nought, for so many good knights be here within, that I should be held
for a fool and a braggart and I put myself forward before all other."
"By my head," saith the King, "Not so! Rather will you be held as a
knight courteous and wise and good, as now you ought to be, and great
worship will it be to yourself and you may draw forth the quarrel, and
great courtesy will it be to aid the damsel. Wherefore I require you,
of the faith you owe me, that you set your hand thereto, sith that the
damsel prayeth you so to do, before the others."