_How Sir Launcelot rode with the damsel and slew a knight that
distressed all ladies, and also a villain that kept a bridge._
Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that rode with the damsel in a fair high
way. Sir, said the damsel, here by this way haunteth a knight that
distresseth all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth
them or ill-useth them. What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief and a
knight, and a ravisher of women? He doth shame unto the order of
knighthood and contrary to his oath, it is pity that he liveth. But
fair damsel ye shall ride on afore yourself, and I will keep myself in
covert, and if that he trouble you or distress you, I shall be your
rescue, and learn him to be ruled as a knight. So the maid rode on by
the way a soft ambling pace. And within awhile came out that knight on
horseback out of the wood, and his page with him, and there he put the
damsel from her horse, and then she cried. With that came Launcelot as
fast as he might, till he came to that knight, saying, Oh thou false
knight and traitor unto knighthood, who did learn thee to distress
ladies and gentlewomen? When the knight saw Sir Launcelot thus rebuking
him, he answered not, but drew his sword and rode unto Sir Launcelot.
And Sir Launcelot threw his spear from him, and drew out his sword, and
strake him such a buffet on the helmet that he clave his head and neck
unto the throat. Now hast thou thy payment that long thou hast
deserved. That is truth, said the damsel, for like as Turquine watched
to destroy knights, so did this knight attend to destroy and distress
ladies, damsels, and gentlewomen, and his name was Sir Peris de Forest
Savage. Now damsel, said Sir Launcelot, will ye any more service of me?
Nay sir, she said, at this time; but Almighty Jesu preserve you
wheresoever ye ride or go, for the courtiest knight thou art and
meekest unto all ladies and gentlewomen that now liveth. But one thing,
sir knight, me thinketh ye lack, ye that are a knight wifeless, that ye
will not love some maiden or gentlewoman, for I could never hear say
that ever ye loved any of no manner degree, and that is great pity; but
it is noised that ye love queen Guenever, and that she hath ordained by
enchantment that ye shall never love none other but her, nor none other
damsel nor lady shall rejoice you; wherefore many in this land, of high
estate and low, make great sorrow. Fair damsel, said Sir Launcelot, I
may not warn people to speak of me what it pleaseth them: but for to be
a wedded man I think it not, for then I must couch with her, and leave
arms and tournaments, battles and adventures. And as for to say for to
take my pleasance with paramours, that will I refuse in principal for
dread of God. For knights that be adulterous, or wanton, shall not be
happy nor fortunate unto the wars, for either they shall be overcome
with a simpler knight than they be themselves, or else they shall by
mishap and their cursedness slay better men than they be themselves;
and who that so useth shall be unhappy, and all thing is unhappy that
is about them. And so Sir Launcelot and she departed.
And then he rode in a deep forest two days and more, and had strait
lodging. So on the third day he rode over a long bridge, and there
start upon him suddenly a passing foul churl, and he smote his horse on
the nose that he turned about, and asked him why he rode over that
bridge without his licence. Why should I not ride this way? said Sir
Launcelot, I may not ride beside. Thou shalt not choose, said the
churl, and lashed at him with a great club shod with iron. Then Sir
Launcelot drew his sword, and put the stroke aback, and clave his head
unto the breast. At the end of the bridge was a fair village, and all
the people men and women cried on Sir Launcelot, and said, A worse deed
diddest thou never for thyself, for thou hast slain the chief porter of
our castle. Sir Launcelot let them say what they would, and straight he
went into the castle; and when he came into the castle he alight, and
tied his horse to a ring on the wall; and there he saw a fair green
court, and thither he dressed himself, for there him thought was a fair
place to fight in. So he looked about, and saw much people in doors and
windows, that said, Fair knight thou art unhappy.