_How Sir Launcelot came the same time that Sir Meliagraunce abode him
in the field, and dressed him to battle._
Now leave we Sir Launcelot gallop all that he might, and speak we of
queen Guenever that was brought to a fire to be burnt, for Sir
Meliagrance was sure, him thought, that Sir Launcelot should not be at
that battle, therefore he ever cried upon king Arthur to do him
justice, or else bring forth Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then was the king
and all the court full sore abashed and shamed that the queen should be
burnt in the default of Sir Launcelot. My lord Arthur, said Sir
Lavaine, ye may understand that it is not well with my lord Sir
Launcelot, for and he were on live, so that he be not sick or in
prison, wit ye well he would be here, for never heard ye that ever he
failed his part for whom he should do battle for. And therefore, said
Sir Lavaine, my lord king Arthur, I beseech you give me licence to do
battle here this day for my lord and master, and for to save my lady
the queen. Gramercy, gentle knight, Sir Lavaine, said king Arthur, for
I dare say all that Sir Meliagrance putteth upon my lady the queen is
wrong, for I have spoken with all the ten wounded knights, and there is
not one of them, and he were whole and able to do battle, but he would
prove upon Sir Meliagrance’s body that it is false that he putteth upon
my queen. So shall I, said Sir Lavaine, in the defence of my lord Sir
Launcelot, and ye will give me leave. Now I give you leave, said king
Arthur, and do your best, for I dare well say there is some treason
done to Sir Launcelot. Then was Sir Lavaine horsed, and suddenly at the
list’s end he rode to perform this battle. And right as the heralds
should cry Lesses les aler, right so came in Sir Launcelot driving with
all the force of his horse. And then Arthur cried, Ho! and Abide! Then
was Sir Launcelot called on horseback tofore king Arthur, and there he
told openly tofore the king and all, how Sir Meliagrance had served him
first and last. And when the king and the queen and all the lords knew
of the treason of Sir Meliagrance, they were all ashamed on his behalf.
Then was queen Guenever sent for, and set by the king in great trust of
her champion. And then there was no more else to say, but Sir Launcelot
and Sir Meliagrance dressed them unto battle, and took their spears,
and so they came together as thunder, and there Sir Launcelot bare him
down quite over his horse croup. And then Sir Launcelot alight, and
dressed his shield on his shoulder with his sword in his hand, and Sir
Meliagrance in the same wise dressed him unto him, and there they smote
many great strokes together, and at the last Sir Launcelot smote him
such a buffet upon the helmet, that he fell on the one side to the
earth, and then he cried upon him aloud, Most noble knight, Sir
Launcelot du Lake, save my life, for I yield me unto you, and I beseech
you, as ye be a knight and fellow of the Table Round, slay me not, for
I yield me as overcomen, and whether I shall live or die I put me in
the king’s hands and yours. Then Sir Launcelot wist not what to do, for
he had lever than all the good of the world he might have been revenged
upon Sir Meliagrance; and Sir Launcelot looked toward queen Guenever if
he might espy by any sign or countenance what she would have done. And
then the queen wagged her head upon Sir Launcelot, as though she would
say slay him. Full well knew Sir Launcelot by the wagging of her head
that she would have had him dead: then Sir Launcelot bad him rise for
shame, and perform that battle to the utterance. Nay, said Sir
Meliagrance, I will never arise until ye take me as yielden and
recreant. I shall proffer you large proffers, said Sir Launcelot, that
is to say, I shall unarm my head and my left quarter of my body, all
that may be unarmed, and let bind my left hand behind me, so that it
shall not help me, and right so I shall do battle with you. Then Sir
Meliagrance start up upon his legs, and said on high, My lord Arthur,
take heed to this proffer, for I will take it, and let him be disarmed
and bounden according to his proffer. What say ye, said king Arthur
unto Sir Launcelot, will ye abide by your proffer? Yea, my lord, said
Sir Launcelot, I will never go from that I have once said. Then the
knights parters of the field disarmed Sir Launcelot, first his head,
and sithen his left arm and his left side, and they bound his left arm
behind his back, without shield or anything, and then they were put
together. Wit you well there was many a lady and knight marvelled that
Sir Launcelot would jeopardy himself in such wise. Then Sir Meliagrance
came with his sword all on high, and Sir Launcelot shewed him openly
his bare head and the bare left side. And when he wend to have smitten
him upon the bare head, then lightly he avoided the left leg and the
left side, and put his right hand and his sword to that stroke, and so
put it on side with great sleight, and then with great force Sir
Launcelot smote him on the helmet such a buffet that the stroke carved
the head in two parts. Then there was no more to do but he was drawn
out of the field. And at the great instance of the knights of the Table
Round the king suffered him to be interred, and the mention made upon
him who slew him, and for what cause he was slain. And then the king
and the queen made more of Sir Launcelot, and more he was cherished,
than ever he was aforehand.