_How Sir Lamorak met with Sir Meliagaunce, and how they fought together
for the beauty of queen Guenever._
Right so as they stood talking thus, Sir Lamorak was ware how Sir
Launcelot came riding straight toward them; then Sir Lamorak saluted
him, and he him again. And then Sir Lamorak asked Sir Launcelot if
there were any thing that he might do for him in these marches. Nay,
said Sir Launcelot, not at this time, I thank you. Then either departed
from other, and Sir Lamorak rode again there as he left the two
knights, and then he found them hid in the leaved wood. Fie on you,
said Sir Lamorak, false cowards, pity and shame it is that any of you
should take the high order of knighthood. So Sir Lamorak departed from
them, and within a while he met with Sir Meliagaunce, and then Sir
Lamorak asked him why he loved queen Guenever as he did: For I was not
far from you when ye made your complaint by the chapel. Did ye so, said
Sir Meliagaunce, then will I abide by it: I love queen Guenever; what
will ye with it? I will prove and make good that she is the fairest
lady and most of beauty in the world. As to that, said Sir Lamorak, I
say nay thereto, for queen Morgause of Orkney, mother to Sir Gawaine,
and his mother is the fairest queen and lady that beareth the life.
That is not so, said Sir Meliagaunce, and that will I prove with my
hands upon thy body. Will ye so, said Sir Lamorak, and in a better
quarrel keep I not to fight. Then they departed either from other in
great wrath. And then they came riding together as it had been thunder,
and either smote other so sore that their horses fell backward to the
earth. And then they avoided their horses, and dressed their shields,
and drew their swords. And then they hurtled together as wild boars,
and thus they fought a great while. For Meliagaunce was a good man and
of great might, but Sir Lamorak was hard big for him, and put him
always aback; but either had wounded other sore. And as they stood thus
fighting, by fortune came Sir Launcelot and Sir Bleoberis riding. And
then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt them, and asked them for what cause
they fought so together, and ye are both knights of king Arthur.