_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine fought together._
And then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with
their horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in the
midst of their shields, that both their horses’ backs brast under them,
and the knights were both astonied, and as soon as they might avoid
their horses they took their shields afore them, and drew out their
swords, and came together eagerly, and either gave other many strong
strokes, for there might neither shields nor harness hold their
strokes. And so within awhile they had both grimly wounds, and bled
passing grievously. Thus they fared two hours or more, trasing and
rasing either other where they might hit any bare place. Then at the
last they were breathless both, and stood leaning on their swords. Now
fellow, said Sir Turquine, hold thy hand awhile, and tell me what I
shall ask thee. Say on. Then Turquine said, Thou art the biggest man
that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and like one knight that
I hate above all other knights; so be it that thou be not he I will
lightly accord with thee, and for thy love I will deliver all the
prisoners that I have, that is threescore and four, so thou wilt tell
me thy name. And thou and I we will be fellows together, and never to
fail the while that I live. It is well said, said Sir Launcelot, but
sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight is he that
thou so hatest above all other? Faithfully, said Sir Turquine, his name
is Sir Launcelot du Lake, for he slew my brother Sir Carados at the
dolorous tower, that was one of the best knights on live; and therefore
him I except of knights, for may I once meet with him the one of us
shall make an end of other, I make mine avow. And for Sir Launcelot’s
sake I have slain an hundred good knights, and as many I have maimed
all utterly that they might never after help themselves, and many have
died in prison, and yet I have threescore and four, and all shall be
delivered, so thou wilt tell me thy name, so it be that thou be not Sir
Launcelot.
Now see I well, said Sir Launcelot, that such a man I might be that I
might have peace; and such a man I might be that there should be war
mortal betwixt us: and now sir knight, at thy request I will that thou
wit and know that I am Launcelot du Lake, king Ban’s son of Benwick,
and very knight of the Table Round. And now I defy thee, do thy best.
Ah, said Turquine, Launcelot, thou art unto me most welcome that ever
was knight, for we shall never part till the one of us be dead. Then
they hurtled together as two wild bulls, rashing and lashing with their
shields and swords that sometimes they fell both over their noses. Thus
they fought still two hours and more, and never would have rest, and
Sir Turquine gave Sir Launcelot many wounds that all the ground there
as they fought was all bespeckled with blood.