_How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir Kay’s harness, and how he
smote down a knight._
Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that had ridden long in a great forest,
and at the last he came into a low country full of fair rivers and
meadows. And afore him he saw a long bridge, and three pavilions stood
thereon of silk and sandal of divers hue. And without the pavilions
hung three white shields on truncheons of spears, and great long spears
stood upright by the pavilions, and at every pavilion’s door stood
three fresh squires, and so Sir Launcelot passed by them, and spake no
word. When he was past the three knights said that it was the proud
Kay, he weeneth no knight so good as he, and the contrary is ofttime
proved. By my faith, said one of the knights, his name was Sir Gaunter,
I will ride after him and assay him for all his pride, and ye may
behold how that I speed. So this knight, Sir Gaunter, armed him, and
hung his shield upon his shoulder and mounted upon a great horse, and
gat his spear in his hand, and galloped after Sir Launcelot. And when
he came nigh him, he cried, Abide thou proud knight Sir Kay, for thou
shalt not pass quit. So Sir Launcelot turned him, and either fewtred
their spears, and came together with all their mights, and Sir
Gaunter’s spear brake, but Sir Launcelot smote him down, horse and man.
And when Sir Gaunter was at the earth his brethren said each one to
other, Yonder knight is not Sir Kay, for he is bigger than he. I dare
lay my head, said Sir Gilmere, yonder knight hath slain Sir Kay and
hath taken his horse and harness. Whether it be so or no, said Sir
Raynold the third brother, let us now go mount upon our horses and
rescue our brother Sir Gaunter upon pain of death. We all shall have
work enough to match that knight, for ever me seemeth by his person it
is Sir Launcelot, or Sir Tristam, or Sir Pelleas the good knight. Then
anon they took their horses and overtook Sir Launcelot, and Sir Gilmere
put forth his spear and ran to Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot smote
him down that he lay in a swoon. Sir knight, said Sir Raynold, thou art
a strong man, and, as I suppose, thou hast slain my two brethren, for
the which riseth my heart sore against thee; and if I might with my
worship I would not have ado with thee, but needs I must take part as
they do; and therefore knight, he said, keep thyself. And so they
hurtled together with all their mights, and all to-shivered both their
spears. And then they drew their swords and lashed together eagerly.
Anon therewith arose Sir Gaunter, and came unto his brother Sir
Gilmere, and bad him arise and help we our brother Sir Raynold, that
yonder marvellously matcheth yonder good knight. Therewithal they lept
on their horses, and hurtled unto Sir Launcelot. And when he saw them
come, he smote a sore stroke unto Sir Raynold, that he fell off his
horse to the ground, and then he struck to the other two brethren, and
at two strokes he strake them down to the earth. With that Sir Raynold
began to start up with his head all bloody, and came straight unto Sir
Launcelot. Now let be, said Sir Launcelot, I was not far from thee when
thou wert made knight, Sir Raynold, and also I know thou art a good
knight, and loth I were to slay thee. Gramercy, said Sir Raynold, as
for your goodness; and I dare say as for me and my brethren, we will
not be loth to yield us unto you, with that we knew your name; for well
we know ye are not Sir Kay. As for that be it as it may, for ye shall
yield you unto dame Guenever, and look that ye be with her on
Whitsunday, and yield you unto her as prisoners, and say that Sir Kay
sent you unto her. Then they swore it should be done. And so passed
forth Sir Launcelot, and each one of the brethren helped each other as
well as they might.