_How Sir Launcelot fought with six knights, and after with Sir Brian,
and how he delivered the prisoners._
Ah, said Sir Launcelot, that knight is my fellow, and him shall I
rescue, or else I shall lose my life therefore. And therewithal he rode
fast till he came before the castle of Pendragon, and anon therewithal
there came six knights, and all made them ready to set upon Sir
Launcelot at once. Then Sir Launcelot feutred his spear, and smote the
foremost that he brake his back in sunder, and three of them hit and
three failed. And then Sir Launcelot past through them, and lightly he
turned in again, and smote another knight through the breast and
throughout the back, and more than an ell, and therewithal his spear
brake. So then all the remnant of the four knights drew their swords,
and lashed at Sir Launcelot, and at every stroke Sir Launcelot bestowed
so his strokes that at four strokes sundry they avoided their saddles,
passing sore wounded, and forthwithal he rode hurling into that castle.
And, anon the lord of the castle that was that time called Sir Brian de
les isles, the which was a noble man, and a great enemy unto king
Arthur, within awhile he was armed and upon horseback: and then they
feutred their spears, and hurled together so strongly that both their
horses rashed to the earth. And then they avoided their saddles, and
dressed their shields, and drew their swords, and flung together as
wood men, and there were many strokes given in a while. At the last Sir
Launcelot gave to Sir Brian such a buffet that he kneeled upon his
knees, and then Sir Launcelot rashed upon him, and with great force he
pulled him off his helm, and when Sir Brian saw that he should be
slain, he yielded him, and put him in his mercy and in his grace. Then
Sir Launcelot made him to deliver all his prisoners that he had within
his castle, and therein Sir Launcelot found of Arthur’s knights thirty,
and forty ladies, and so he delivered them and then he rode his way.
And anon as La Cote Male Taile was delivered he gat his horse and his
harness, and his damsel Maledisant. The mean while Sir Nerovens, that
Sir Launcelot had fought withall afore at the bridge, he sent a damsel
after Sir Launcelot for to wit how he sped at the castle of Pendragon.
And then they within the castle marvelled what knight he was when Sir
Brian and his knights delivered all those prisoners. Have ye no marvel,
said the damsel, for the best knight in this world was here, and did
this tourney, and wit ye well, she said, it was Sir Launcelot. Then was
Sir Brian full glad, and so was his lady and all his knights that such
a man should win them. And when the damsel and La Cote Male Taile
understood that it was Sir Launcelot du Lake that had ridden with them
in fellowship, and that she remembered her how she had rebuked him and
called him coward, then was she passing heavy.