_How Arthur took upon him to fight to be delivered out of prison, and
also for to deliver twenty knights that were in prison._
What are ye that so complain? said king Arthur. We be here twenty
knights prisoners, said they, and some of us have lain here seven year,
and some more and some less. For what cause? said Arthur. We shall tell
you, said the knights; This lord of this castle his name is Sir Damas,
and he is the falsest knight that liveth, and full of treason, and a
very coward as any liveth, and he hath a younger brother, a good knight
of prowess, his name is Sir Ontzlake, and this traitor Damas, the elder
brother, will give him no part of his livelihood but as Sir Ontzlake
keepeth through prowess of his hands, and so he keepeth from him a full
fair manor and a rich, and therein Sir Ontzlake dwelleth worshipfully
and is well beloved of all people. And this Sir Damas our master is as
evil beloved, for he is without mercy, and he is a coward, and great
war hath been betwixt them both, but Ontzlake hath ever the better, and
ever he proffereth Sir Damas to fight for the livelihood, body for
body; but if he will not do it to find a knight to fight for him. Unto
that Sir Damas hath granted to find a knight, but he is so evil beloved
and hated, that there is never a knight will fight for him. And when
Damas saw this, that there was never a knight would fight for him, he
hath daily lain await with many knights with him and taken all the
knights in this country to see and espy their adventures: he hath taken
them by force and brought them to his prison. And so he took us
severally as we rode on our adventures, and many good knights have died
in this prison for hunger, to the number of eighteen knights: and if
any of us all that here is or hath been, would have fought with his
brother Ontzlake he would have delivered us, but for because this Damas
is so false and so full of treason, we would never fight for him to die
for it. And we be so lean with hunger that hardly we may stand on our
feet. God deliver you for his mercy, said Arthur. Anon therewithal
there came a damsel unto Arthur, and asked him, What cheer? I cannot
say, said he. Sir, said she, and ye will fight for my lord, ye shall be
delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never with life. Now, said
Arthur, that is hard, yet had I lever to fight with a knight than to
die in prison: with this, said Arthur, that I may be delivered and all
these prisoners I will do the battle. Yes, said the damsel. I am ready,
said Arthur, and I had horse and armour. Ye shall lack none, said the
damsel. Me seemeth, damsel, that I should have seen you in the court of
Arthur. Nay, said the damsel, I came never there, I am the lord’s
daughter of this castle. Yet was she false, for she was one of the
damsels of Morgan le Fay. Anon she went unto Sir Damas, and told him
how he would do battle for him, and so he sent for Arthur. And when he
came he was well coloured, and well made of his limbs, that all knights
that saw him said it were pity that such a knight should die in prison.
So Sir Damas and he were agreed that he should fight for him upon this
covenant, that all other knights should be delivered; and unto that was
Sir Damas sworn unto Arthur, and also to do the battle to the
uttermost. And with that all the twenty knights were brought out of the
dark prison into the hall and delivered. And so they all abode to see
the battle.