_How Sir Launcelot in his madness took a sword and fought with a
knight, and after lept into a bed._
And now leave we of a while of Sir Ector and of Sir Percivale, and
speak we of Sir Launcelot, that suffered and endured many sharp
showers, that ever ran wild wood from place to place, and lived by
fruit and such as he might get, and drank water two year, and other
clothing had he but little but his shirt and his breeches. Thus as Sir
Launcelot wandered here and there, he came in a fair meadow where he
found a pavilion, and there by upon a tree there hung a white shield,
and two swords hung thereby, and two spears leaned there by a tree. And
when Sir Launcelot saw the swords, anon he lept to the one sword, and
took it in his hand and drew it out. And then he lashed at the shield
that all the meadow rang of the dints, that he gave such a noise as ten
knights had foughten together. Then came forth a dwarf and lept unto
Sir Launcelot, and would have had the sword out of his hand, and then
Sir Launcelot took him by the both shoulders, and threw him to the
ground upon his neck, that he had almost broken his neck, and
therewithal the dwarf cried, Help. Then came forth a likely knight, and
well apparelled in scarlet furred with meniver. And anon as he saw Sir
Launcelot, he deemed that he should be out of his wit: and then he said
with fair speech, Good man, lay down that sword, for, as me seemeth,
thou hast more need of sleep, and of warm clothes, than to wield that
sword. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, come not too nigh; for, and
thou do, wit thou well I will slay thee. And when the knight of the
pavilion saw that, he start backward within the pavilion. And then the
dwarf armed him lightly, and so the knight thought by force and might
to take the sword from Sir Launcelot, and so he came stepping out, and
when Sir Launcelot saw him come so all armed with his sword in his
hand, then Sir Launcelot flew to him with such a might, and hit him
upon the helm such a buffet that the stroke troubled his brains, and
therewith the sword brake in three. And the knight fell to the earth as
he had been dead, the blood blasting out of his mouth, the nose, and
the ears. And then Sir Launcelot ran into the pavilion, and rushed even
into the warm bed: and there was a lady in that bed, and she gat her
smock, and ran out of the pavilion. And when she saw her lord lie on
the ground like to be dead, then she cried and wept as she had been
mad. Then with her noise the knight awaked out of his swoon, and looked
up weakly with his eyes, and then he asked her where was that mad man
that had given him such a buffet? for such a buffet had I never of
man’s hand. Sir, said the dwarf, it is not worship to hurt him, for he
is a man out of his wit, and doubt ye not he hath been a man of great
worship, and for some heartly sorrow that he hath taken he is fallen
mad: and me seemeth, said the dwarf, he resembleth much unto Sir
Launcelot; for him I saw at the great tournament beside Lonazep. Jesu
defend, said that knight, that ever that noble knight Sir Launcelot
should be in such a plight. But whatsoever he be, said that knight,
harm will I none do him. And this knight’s name was Bliant. Then he
said unto the dwarf. Go thou fast on horseback unto my brother Sir
Selivant, that is at the Castle Blank, and tell him of mine adventure,
and bid him bring with him an horse-litter, and then will we bear this
knight unto my castle.