_Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Launcelot, being disguised like a
maid, smote down Sir Dinadan._
Now beginneth the seventh battle. There came in the duke Cambines, and
there encountered with him Sir Aristance, that was counted a good
knight, and they met so hard that either bare other down, horse and
man. Then came there the earl of Lambaile, and helped the duke again to
horse. Then came there Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and he smote the earl
Lambaile down from his horse. Then began they to do great deeds of
arms, and many spears were broken, and many knights were cast to the
earth. Then the king of Northgalis and the earl Ulbawes smote together,
that all the judges thought it was like mortal death. This mean while
queen Guenever and the haut prince and Sir Launcelot made there Sir
Dinadan make him ready to just. I would, said Sir Dinadan, ride into
the field, but then one of you twain will meet with me. Perdy, said the
haut prince, ye may see how we sit here as judges with our shields, and
always mayest thou behold whether we sit here or not. So Sir Dinadan
departed, and took his horse, and met with many knights, and did
passing well. And as he was departed, Sir Launcelot disguised himself,
and put upon his armour a maiden’s garment freshly attired. Then Sir
Launcelot made Sir Galihodin to lead him through the range, and all men
had wonder what damsel it was. And so as Sir Dinadan came into the
range, Sir Launcelot, that was in the damsel’s array, gat Galihodin’s
spear, and ran unto Sir Dinadan. And always Sir Dinadan looked up there
as Sir Launcelot was, and then he saw one sit in the stead of Sir
Launcelot, armed. But when Dinadan saw a manner of a damsel, he dread
perils that it was Sir Launcelot disguised. But Sir Launcelot came on
him so fast that he smote him over his horse croup. And then with great
scorns they gat Sir Dinadan into the forest there beside, and there
they despoiled him unto his shirt, and put upon him a woman’s garment,
and so brought him into the field, and so they blew unto lodging. And
every knight went and unarmed him. Then was Sir Dinadan brought in
among them all. And when queen Guenever saw Sir Dinadan brought so
among them all, then she laughed that she fell down, and so did all
that were there. Well, said Dinadan to Launcelot, thou art so false
that I can never beware of thee. Then, by all the assent, they gave Sir
Launcelot the prize: the next was Sir Lamorak de Galis; the third was
Sir Palamides; the fourth was king Bagdemagus. So these four knights
had the prize. And there was great joy and great nobley in all the
court. And on the morn queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot departed unto
king Arthur; but in no wise Sir Lamorak would not go with them. I shall
undertake, said Sir Launcelot, that, and ye will go with us king Arthur
shall charge Sir Gawaine and his brethren never to do you hurt. As for
that, said Sir Lamorak, I will not trust Sir Gawaine, nor none of his
brethren; and wit ye well Sir Launcelot, and it were not for my lord
king Arthur’s sake, I should match Sir Gawaine and his brethren well
enough. But to say that I should trust them, that shall I never. And
therefore I pray you recommend me unto my lord Arthur, and unto all my
lords of the Round Table. And in what place that ever I come I shall do
you service to my power: and, sir, it is but late that I revenged that
when my lord Arthur’s kin were put to the worse by Sir Palamides. Then
Sir Lamorak departed from Sir Launcelot, and either wept at their
departing.