_How Sir Gawaine rode for to fetch again the hart, and how two brethren
fought each against other for the hart._
Sir Gawaine rode more than a pace, and Gaheris his brother rode with
him instead of a squire, to do him service. So as they rode they saw
two knights fight on horseback passing sore, so Sir Gawaine and his
brother rode betwixt them, and asked them for what cause they fought
so. The one knight answered and said: We fight for a simple matter, for
we two be two brethren, born and begotten of one man and of one woman.
Alas! said Sir Gawaine, why do ye so? Sir, said the elder, there came a
white hart this way this day, and many hounds chased him, and a white
brachet was alway next him, and we understood it was adventure made for
the high feast of king Arthur, and therefore I would have gone after to
have won me worship; and here my younger brother said he would go after
the hart, for he was a better knight than I; and for this cause we fell
at debate, and so we thought to prove which of us both was better
knight. This is a simple cause, said Sir Gawaine; strange men ye should
debate withal, and not brother with brother; therefore but if ye will
do by my counsel I will have ado with you—that is, ye shall yield you
unto me, and that ye go unto king Arthur and yield you unto his grace.
Sir knight, said the two brethren, we are for-foughten, and much blood
have we lost through our wilfulness, and therefore we would be loth to
have ado with you. Then do as I will have you, said Sir Gawaine. We
will agree to fulfil your will; but by whom shall we say that we be
thither sent? Ye may say, by the knight that followeth the quest of the
hart that was white. Now what is your name? said Sir Gawaine. Sorlouse
of the Forest, said the elder. And my name is, said the younger, Brian
of the Forest. And so they departed and went to the king’s court, and
Sir Gawaine on his quest. And as Gawaine followed the hart by the cry
of the hounds, even afore him there was a great river, and the hart
swam over; and as Sir Gawaine would follow after there stood a knight
over the other side, and said, Sir knight, come not over after this
hart, but if thou wilt just with me. I will not fail as for that, said
Sir Gawaine, to follow the quest that I am in, and so made his horse to
swim over the water, and anon they gat their spears and ran together
full hard, but Sir Gawaine smote him off his horse, and then he turned
his horse and bad him yield him. Nay, said the knight, not so, though
thou have the better of me on horseback: I pray thee, valiant knight,
alight afoot, and match we together with swords. What is your name?
said Sir Gawaine. Allardin of the Isles, said the other. Then either
dressed their shields and smote together, but Sir Gawaine smote him so
hard through the helm that it went to the brains, and the knight fell
down dead. Ah! said Gaheris, that was a mighty stroke of a young knight.