_How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the Romans,
entered into Almaine, and so into Italy._
Now turn we unto king Arthur and his noble knights, which, after the
great battle achieved against the Romans, entered into Loraine,
Brabant, and Flanders, and thence returned into high Almaine, and so
over the mountains into Lombardy, and after into Tuscany, wherein was a
city which in no wise would yield themselves nor obey, wherefore king
Arthur besieged it, and lay long about it, and gave many assaults to
the city. And they within defended them valiantly. Then, on a time, the
king called Sir Florence, a knight, and said to him they lacked
victual, and not far from hence be great forests and great woods,
wherein be many of mine enemies with much cattle: I will that thou make
thee ready, and go thither in foraging, and take with thee Sir Gawaine
my nephew, Sir Wisshard, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond, and the captain of
Cardiff, with other, and bring with you all the beasts that ye there
can get. And anon these knights made them ready, and rode over holts
and hills, through forests and woods, till they came into a fair meadow
full of fair flowers and grass. And there they rested them and their
horses all that night. And in the springing of the day in the next morn
Sir Gawaine took his horse and stole away from his fellows to seek some
adventures. And anon he was ware of a man armed, walking his horse
easily by a wood’s side, and his shield laced to his shoulder, sitting
on a strong courser, without any man saving a page bearing a mighty
spear. The knight bare in his shield three griffons of gold in sable
carbuncle the chief of silver. When Sir Gawaine espied this gay knight
he fewtred his spear, and rode straight to him, and demanded him from
whence that he was. That other answered and said he was of Tuscany, and
demanded of Sir Gawaine, What profferest thou proud knight so boldly?
Here gettest thou no prey: thou mayest prove what thou wilt, for thou
shalt be my prisoner or thou depart. Then said Gawaine, Thou vauntest
thee greatly, and speakest proud words; I counsel thee for all thy
boast that thou make thee ready, and take thy gear to thee, tofore
greater grief fall to thee.