_How a damsel came unto the court and desired a knight to take on him
an inquest, which La Cote Male Taile emprized._
Then that same day there came a damsel into the king’s court, and she
brought with her a great black shield, with a white hand in the midst
holding a sword. Other picture was there none in that shield. When king
Arthur saw her, he asked her from whence she came, and what she would.
Sir, she said, I have ridden long and many a day with this shield many
ways, and for this cause I am come to your court:—There was a good
knight that owned this shield, and this knight had undertaken a great
deed of arms to achieve it, and so it misfortuned him another strong
knight met with him by sudden adventure, and there they fought long,
and either wounded other passing sore, and they were so weary that they
left that battle even hand. So this knight that owned this shield saw
none other way but he must die; and then he commanded me to bear this
shield to the court of king Arthur, he requiring and praying some good
knight to take this shield, and that he would fulfil the quest that he
was in. Now what say ye to this quest? said king Arthur. Is there any
of you here that will take upon him to weld this shield? Then was there
not one that would speak one word. Then Sir Kay took the shield in his
hands. Sir knight, said the damsel, what is your name? Wit ye well,
said he, my name is Sir Kay the seneschal, that widewhere is known.
Sir, said that damsel, lay down that shield, for wit ye well it falleth
not for you, for he must be a better knight than ye that shall weld
this shield. Damsel, said Sir Kay, wit ye well I took this shield in my
hands by your leave for to behold it, not to that intent, but go
wheresoever thou wilt, for I will not go with you. Then the damsel
stood still a great while, and beheld many of those knights. Then spake
the knight La Cote Male Taile, Fair damsel, I will take the shield and
that adventure upon me, so I wist I should know whither ward my journey
might be, for because I was this day made knight I would take this
adventure upon me. What is your name, fair young man? said the damsel.
My name is, said he, La Cote Male Taile. Well mayest thou be called so,
said the damsel, the knight with the evil-shapen coat, but and thou be
so hardy to take upon thee to bear that shield and to follow me, wit
thou well thy skin shall be as well hewn as thy coat. As for that, said
La Cote Male Taile, when I am so hewn I will ask you no salve to heal
me withal. And forthwithal there came into the court two squires, and
brought him great horses and his armour and his spears, and anon he was
armed, and took his leave. I would not by my will, said the king, that
ye took upon you that hard adventure. Sir, said he, this adventure is
mine, and the first that ever I took upon me, and that will I follow
whatsoever come of me. Then that damsel departed, and La Cote Male
Taile followed first after. And within a while he overtook the damsel.
And anon she missaid him in the foullest manner.