_How Sir Launcelot fought against Sir Mador for the queen, and how he
overcame Sir Mador and discharged the queen._
Then the king called to that knight, and asked him if he would fight
for the queen. Then he answered to the king, Therefore came I hither,
and therefore, Sir king, he said, tarry me no longer, for I may not
tarry. For anon as I have finished this battle I must depart hence, for
I have ado many matters elsewhere. For wit you well, said that knight,
this is dishonour to you all knights of the Round Table, to see and
know so noble a lady, and so courteous a queen, as queen Guenever is,
thus to be rebuked and shamed amongst you. Then they all marvelled what
knight that might be that so took the battle upon him, for there was
not one that knew him, but if it were Sir Bors. Then said Sir Mador de
la Porte unto the king, Now let me wit with whom I shall have ado
withal. And then they rode to the lists’ end, and there they couched
their spears, and ran together with all their mights. And Sir Mador’s
spear brake all to pieces, but the other’s spear held, and bare Sir
Mador’s horse and all backward to the earth a great fall. But mightily
and suddenly he avoided his horse, and put his shield afore him, and
then drew his sword, and bad the other knight alight and do battle with
him on foot. Then that knight descended from his horse lightly like a
valiant man, and put his shield afore him, and drew his sword, and so
they came eagerly unto battle, and either gave other many great
strokes, tracing and traversing, rasing and foining, and hurtling
together with their swords, as it were wild boars. Thus were they
fighting nigh an hour, for this Sir Mador was a strong knight, and
mightily proved in many strong battles. But at last this knight smote
Sir Mador groveling upon the earth, and the knight stept near him to
have pulled Sir Mador flatling upon the ground; and therewith suddenly
Sir Mador arose, and in his rising he smote that knight through the
thick of the thighs, that the blood ran out fiercely. And when he felt
himself so wounded, and saw his blood, he let him arise upon his feet;
and then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell to the
earth flatling, and therewith he strode to him for to have pulled off
his helm off his head. And then Sir Mador prayed that knight to save
his life, and so he yielded him as overcome, and released the queen of
his quarrel. I will not grant thee thy life, said that knight, only
that thou freely release the queen for ever, and that no mention be
made upon Sir Patrise’s tomb that ever queen Guenever consented to that
treason. All this shall be done, said Sir Mador, I clearly discharge my
quarrel for ever. Then the knights parters of the lists took up Sir
Mador and led him to his tent. And the other knight went straight to
the stair foot where sat king Arthur, and by that time was the queen
come to the king, and either kissed other heartily. And when the king
saw that knight, he stooped down to him and thanked him, and in
likewise did the queen: and the king prayed him to put off his helmet,
and to repose him, and to take a sop of wine, and then he put off his
helm to drink, and then every knight knew him that it was Sir Launcelot
du Lake. Anon as the king wist that, he took the queen in his hand, and
went unto Sir Launcelot, and said, Sir, grant mercy of your great
travail that ye have had this day for me and for my queen. My lord,
said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well I ought of right ever to be in your
quarrel, and in my lady the queen’s quarrel to do battle, for ye are
the man that gave me the high honour of knighthood, and that day my
lady your queen did me great worship, and else I had been shamed; for
that same day ye made me knight through my hastiness I lost my sword,
and my lady your queen found it, and lapped it in her train, and gave
me my sword when I had need thereto, and else had I been shamed among
all knights. And therefore, my lord Arthur, I promised her at that day
ever to be her knight in right or in wrong. Grant mercy, said king
Arthur, for this journey, and wit ye well, said the king, I shall
acquit your goodness. And ever the queen beheld Sir Launcelot, and wept
so tenderly that she sank almost to the ground for sorrow that he had
done to her so great goodness, where she shewed him great unkindness.
Then the knights of his blood drew unto him, and there either of them
made great joy of other. And so came all the knights of the Table Round
that were there at that time, and welcomed him. And then Sir Mador was
had to leech-craft, and Sir Launcelot was healed of his wound. And then
there was made great joy and mirths in that court.