_How at the day Sir Bors made him ready for to fight for the queen; and
when he should fight how another discharged him._
The day came on fast until the even that the battle should be. Then the
queen sent for Sir Bors, and asked him how he was disposed. Truly
madam, said he, I am disposed in likewise as I promised you; that is
for to say, I shall not fail you, unless by adventure there come a
better knight than I am, to do the battle for you: then, madam, am I
discharged of my promise. Will ye, said the queen, that I tell my lord
Arthur thus? Do as it shall please you, madam. Then the queen went unto
the king, and told him the answer of Sir Bors. Have ye no doubt, said
the king, of Sir Bors, for I call him now one of the best knights of
the world, and the most profitablest man. And thus it past on until the
morn. And the king and the queen, and all manner of knights that were
there at that time, drew them unto the meadow beside Westminster, where
the battle should be. And so when the king was come with the queen, and
many knights of the Round Table, then the queen was put there in the
constable’s ward, and a great fire made about an iron stake, that, and
Sir Mador de la Porte had the better, she should be burnt. Such custom
was used in those days, that neither for favour, neither for love, nor
affinity, there should be none other but righteous judgment, as well
upon a king as upon a knight, and as well upon a queen as upon another
poor lady. So in this meanwhile came in Sir Mador de la Porte, and took
his oath afore the king, That the queen did this treason until his
cousin Sir Patrise, and unto his oath he would prove it with his body,
hand for hand, who that would say the contrary. Right so came in Sir
Bors de Ganis, and said, that as for queen Guenever, she is in the
right, and that will I make good with my hands, that she is not
culpable of this treason that is put upon her. Then make thee ready,
said Sir Mador, and we shall prove whether thou be in the right or I.
Sir Mador, said Sir Bors, wit thou well I know you for a good knight:
not for then I shall not fear so greatly, but I trust to God I shall be
able to withstand your malice: but thus much have I promised my lord
Arthur, and my lady the queen, that I shall do battle for her in this
case to the uttermost, unless that there come a better knight than I
am, and discharge me. Is that all, said Sir Mador, either come thou off
and do battle with me, or else say nay. Take your horse, said Sir Bors,
and, as I suppose, ye shall not tarry long, but ye shall be answered.
Then either departed to their tents, and made them ready to horseback
as they thought best. And anon Sir Mador came into the field with his
shield on his shoulder, and his spear in his hand. And so rode about
the place, crying unto king Arthur, Bid your champion come forth and he
dare! Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and took his horse and came to the
lists’ end. And then was he ware where came from a wood there fast by a
knight, all armed upon a white horse, with a strange shield of strange
arms, and he came riding all that he might run. And so he came to Sir
Bors, and said, Fair knight, I pray you be not displeased, for here
must a better knight than ye are have this battle; therefore I pray you
withdraw you. For wit ye well I have had this day a right great
journey, and this battle ought to be mine, and so I promised you when I
spake with you last, and with all my heart I thank you of your good
will. Then Sir Bors rode unto king Arthur, and told him how there was a
knight come that would have the battle for to fight for the queen. What
knight is he? said the king. I wot not, said Sir Bors, but such
covenant he made with me to be here this day. Now my lord, said Sir
Bors, here am I discharged.