_How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to just with king Mark, and how
king Mark refused him._
And then they asked him of his adventures, and whether he had seen Sir
Tristram, or Sir Launcelot. Truly, said Sir Dinadan, I saw none of them
since I departed from Camelot. What knight is that, said Sir Brandiles,
that so suddenly departed from you, and rode over yonder field? Sir,
said he, it was a knight of Cornwall, and the most horrible coward that
ever bestrode horse. What is his name? said all the knights. I wot not,
said Sir Dinadan. So when they had reposed them, and spoken together,
they took their horses and rode to a castle where dwelled an old knight
that made all knights errant good cheer. Then in the mean while that
they were talking came into the castle Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, and
there was he welcome, and they asked him whether he had seen Sir
Launcelot or Sir Tristram? Sirs, he answered, I saw him not since he
departed from Camelot. So as Sir Dinadan walked and beheld the castle,
thereby in a chamber he espied king Mark, and then he rebuked him, and
asked him why he departed so? Sir, said he, for I durst not abide
because they were so many. But how escaped ye? said king Mark. Sir,
said Sir Dinadan, they were better friends than I wend they had been.
Who is captain of that fellowship? said the king. Then for to fear him
Sir Dinadan said it was Sir Launcelot. Oh, said the king, might I know
Sir Launcelot by his shield? Yea, said Dinadan, for he beareth a shield
of silver and black bends. All this he said to fear the king, for Sir
Launcelot was not in his fellowship. Now I pray you, said king Mark,
that ye will ride in my fellowship? That is me loth to do, said Sir
Dinadan, because ye forsook my fellowship. Right so Sir Dinadan went
from king Mark and went to his own fellowship. And so they mounted upon
their horses, and rode on their ways, and talked of the Cornish knight,
for Dinadan told them that he was in the castle where they were lodged.
It is well said, said Sir Griflet, for here have I brought Sir Dagonet
king Arthur’s fool, that is the best fellow and the merriest in the
world. Will ye do well? said Sir Dinadan; I have told the Cornish
knight that here is Sir Launcelot, and the Cornish knight asked me what
shield he bare. Truly I told him that he bare the same shield that Sir
Mordred beareth. Will ye do well? said Sir Mordred; I am hurt and may
not well bear my shield nor harness, and therefore put my shield and my
harness upon Sir Dagonet, and let him set upon the Cornish knight. That
shall be done, said Sir Dagonet, by my faith. Then anon was Dagonet
armed in Mordred’s harness and his shield, and he was set on a great
horse and a spear in his hand. Now, said Dagonet, shew me the knight,
and I trow I shall bear him down. So all these knights rode to a wood
side, and abode till king Mark came by the way. Then they put forth Sir
Dagonet, and he came on all the while his horse might run, straight
upon king Mark. And when he came nigh king Mark, he cried as he were
wood, and said, Keep thee, knight of Cornwall, for I will slay thee.
Anon as king Mark beheld his shield he said to himself, Yonder is Sir
Launcelot: alas, now am I destroyed. And therewithal he made his horse
to run as fast as it might through thick and thin. And ever Sir Dagonet
followed king Mark crying and rating him as a wood man through a great
forest. When Sir Uwaine and Sir Brandiles saw Dagonet so chase king
Mark, they laughed all as they were wood. And then they took their
horses and rode after to see how Sir Dagonet sped. For they would not
for no good that Sir Dagonet were hurt, for king Arthur loved him
passing well, and made him knight with his own hands. And at every
tournament he began to make king Arthur to laugh. Then the knights rode
here and there crying and chasing after king Mark, that all the forest
rang of the noise.