_How Sir Launcelot met with Sir Carados bearing away Sir Gawaine, and
of the rescue of Sir Gawaine._
And then Sir Tristram took his leave when he saw his time, and took the
sea. And in the mean while word came unto Sir Launcelot and to Sir
Tristram that Sir Carados the mighty king, that was made like a giant,
had fought with Sir Gawaine, and gave him such strokes that he swooned
in his saddle, and after that he took him by the collar and pulled him
out of his saddle, and fast bound him to the saddle bow, and so rode
his way with him towards his castle. And as he rode, by fortune Sir
Launcelot met with Sir Carados, and anon he knew Sir Gawaine that lay
bound after him. Ah, said Sir Launcelot unto Sir Gawaine, how stands it
with you? Never so hard, said Sir Gawaine, unless that ye help me, for
without ye rescue me I know no knight that may, but either you or Sir
Tristram. Wherefore Sir Launcelot was heavy of Sir Gawaine’s words. And
then Sir Launcelot bad Sir Carados, Lay down that knight, and fight
with me. Thou art but a fool, said Sir Carados, for I will serve you in
the same wise. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, spare me not, for I
warn thee I will not spare thee. And then he bound Sir Gawaine hand and
foot, and so threw him to the ground. And then he gat his spear of his
Squire and departed from Sir Launcelot to fetch his course. And so
either met with other, and brake their spears to their hands, and then
they pulled out swords and hurtled together on horseback more than an
hour. And at the last Sir Launcelot smote Sir Carados such a buffet
upon the helm that it perched his brain-pan. So then Sir Launcelot took
Sir Carados by the collar and pulled him under his horse feet, and then
he alight and pulled off his helm and strake off his head. And then Sir
Launcelot unbound Sir Gawaine. So this same tale was told to Sir
Galahad and to Sir Tristram:—here may ye hear the nobleness that
followeth Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram, and I had not this
message in hand with this fair lady, truly I would never stint or I had
found Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud went to the
sea and came into Cornwall, and there all the barons met them.