_How Sir Launcelot slew two giants, and made a castle free._
Anon withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save
the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put
his shield afore him, and put the stroke away of the one giant, and
with his sword he clave his head asunder. When his fellow saw that, he
ran away as he were wood, for fear of the horrible strokes, and Sir
Launcelot after him with all his might, and smote him on the shoulder,
and clave him to the middle. Then Sir Launcelot went into the hall, and
there came afore him threescore ladies and damsels, and all kneeled
unto him, and thanked God and him of their deliverance. For, sir, said
they, the most part of us have been here this seven year their
prisoners, and we have worked all manner of silk works for our meat,
and we are all great gentlewomen born, and blessed be the time, knight,
that ever thou wert born; for thou hast done the most worship that ever
did knight in the world, that will we bear record, and we all pray you
to tell us your name, that we may tell our friends who delivered us out
of prison. Fair damsels, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah,
sir, said they all, well mayest thou be he, for else save yourself, as
we deemed, there might never knight have the better of these two
giants, for many fair knights have assayed it, and here have ended, and
many times have we wished after you, and these two giants dread never
knight but you. Now may ye say, said Sir Launcelot, unto your friends,
how and who hath delivered you, and greet them all from me, and if that
I come in any of your marches, shew me such cheer as ye have cause; and
what treasure that there is in this castle I give it you for a reward
for your grievance: and the lord that is the owner of this castle I
would that he received it as is right. Fair sir, said they, the name of
this castle is Tintagil, and a duke owned it some time that had wedded
fair Igraine, and after wedded her Uther Pendragon and gat on her
Arthur. Well, said Sir Launcelot, I understand to whom this castle
belongeth. And so he departed from them and betaught them unto God. And
then he mounted upon his horse, and rode into many strange and wild
countries and through many waters and valleys, and evil was he lodged.
And at the last by fortune him happened against a night to come to a
fair courtelage, and therein he found an old gentlewoman that lodged
him with a good will, and there he had good cheer for him and his
horse. And when time was, his host brought him into a fair garret over
the gate to his bed. There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his
harness by him, and went to bed, and anon he fell on sleep. So soon
after there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great
haste. And when Sir Launcelot heard this he arose up, and looked out at
the window, and saw by the moon-light three knights came riding after
that one man, and all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that
one knight turned on them knightly again and defended him. Truly, said
Sir Launcelot, yonder one knight shall I help, for it were shame for me
to see three knights on one, and if he be slain I am partner of his
death. And therewith he took his harness and went out at a window by a
sheet down to the four knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high,
Turn you knights unto me, and leave your fighting with that knight. And
then they all three left Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir Launcelot, and
there began great battle, for they alight all three, and strake many
great strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. Then
Sir Kay dressed him for to have holpen Sir Launcelot. Nay, sir, said
he, I will none of your help, therefore as ye will have my help let me
alone with them. Sir Kay for the pleasure of the knight suffered him
for to do his will, and so stood aside. And then anon within six
strokes Sir Launcelot had stricken them to the earth.
And then they all three cried, Sir knight, we yield us unto you as man
of might matchless. As to that, said Sir Launcelot, I will not take
your yielding unto me, but so that ye yield you unto Sir Kay the
seneschal, on that covenant I will save your lives and else not. Fair
knight, said they, that were we loth to do; for as for Sir Kay we
chased him hither, and had overcome him had not ye been; therefore to
yield us unto him it were no reason. Well, as to that, said Sir
Launcelot, advise you well, for ye may choose whether ye will die or
live, for and ye be yielden it shall be unto Sir Kay. Fair knight, then
they said, in saving our lives we will do as thou commandest us. Then
shall ye, said Sir Launcelot, on Whitsunday next coming go unto the
court of king Arthur, and there shall ye yield you unto queen Guenever,
and put you all three in her grace and mercy, and say that Sir Kay sent
you thither to be her prisoners. Sir, they said, it shall done by the
faith of our bodies, and we be living. And there they swore, every
knight upon his sword. And so Sir Launcelot suffered them so to depart.
And then Sir Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his
sword, and with that came his host, and in they entered, Sir Kay and
he. Sir, said his host, I wend ye had been in your bed. So I was, said
Sir Launcelot, but I arose and lept out at my window for to help an old
fellow of mine. And so when they came nigh the light Sir Kay knew well
that it was Sir Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked
him of all his kindness that he hath holpen him twice from the death.
Sir, he said, I have done nothing but that I ought to do, and ye are
welcome, and here shall ye repose you and take your rest. So when Sir
Kay was unarmed he asked after meat, so there was meat fetched him, and
he ate strongly. And when he had supped they went to their beds, and
were lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir Launcelot arose early,
and left Sir Kay sleeping: and Sir Launcelot took Sir Kay’s armour and
his shield and armed him: and so he went to the stable and took his
horse, and took his leave of his host, and so he departed. Then soon
after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot: and then he espied that
he had his armour and his horse. Now by my faith I know well that he
will grieve some of the court of king Arthur: for on him knights will
be bold, and deem that it is I, and that will beguile them: and because
of his armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace. And then soon
after departed Sir Kay, and thanked his host.