_What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir Launcelot, and king Arthur laid
siege to Benwick, and other matters._
Then Sir Gawaine said to the damsel thus: Damsel, say ye to Sir
Launcelot, that it is waste labour, now to sue to mine uncle. For tell
him, and he would have made any labour for peace, he should have made
it or this time: for tell him now it is too late. And say, that I, Sir
Gawaine, so send him word, that I promise him, by the faith I owe unto
God, and to knighthood, I shall never leave him till he have slain me,
or I him. So the damsel wept and departed, and there were many weeping
eyes: and so Sir Lucan brought the damsel to her palfrey, and so she
came to Sir Launcelot, where he was among all his knights; and when Sir
Launcelot had heard this answer, then the tears ran down by his cheeks.
And then his noble knights strode about him, and said, Sir Launcelot,
wherefore make ye such cheer: think what ye are, and what men we are,
and let us noble knights match them in midst of the field. That may be
lightly done, said Sir Launcelot, but I was never so loth to do battle,
and therefore, I pray you, fair sirs, as ye love me, be ruled as I will
have you, for I will always flee that noble king that made me knight.
And when I may no farther, I must needs defend me, and that will be
more worship for me, and us all, than to compare with that noble king
whom we have all served. Then they held their language, and as that
night they took their rest. And upon the morn, early, in the dawning of
the day, as knights looked out, they saw the city of Benwick besieged
round about, and fast they began to set up ladders. And then they
defied them out of the town, and beat them from the walls mightily.
Then came forth Sir Gawaine, well armed, upon a stiff steed, and he
came before the chief gate with his spear in his hand, crying, Sir
Launcelot, where art thou, is there none of you proud knights dare
break a spear with me? Then Sir Bors made him ready, and came forth out
of the town, and there Sir Gawaine encountered with Sir Bors; and at
that time he smote Sir Bors down from his horse, and almost he had
slain him, and so Sir Bors was rescued, and borne into the town. Then
came forth Sir Lionel, brother to Sir Bors, and thought to revenge him,
and either feutred their spears, and ran together, and there they met
spitefully, but Sir Gawaine had such grace that he smote Sir Lionel
down, and wounded him there passing sore, and then Sir Lionel was
rescued, and borne into the town. And this Sir Gawaine came every day,
and he failed not, but that he smote down one knight or other. So thus
they endured half a year, and much slaughter was of people on both
parties. Then it befell upon a day, Sir Gawaine came before the gates
armed at all pieces, on a noble horse, with a great spear in his hand,
and then he cried with a loud voice, Where art thou now, thou false
traitor. Sir Launcelot? Why hidest thou thyself within holes and walls
like a coward? Look out now, thou false traitor knight, and here I
shall revenge upon thy body the death of my three brethren. All this
language heard Sir Launcelot every deal, and his kin and his knights
drew about him, and all they said at once to Sir Launcelot, Sir
Launcelot, now must ye defend you like a knight, or else ye be shamed
for ever: for now ye be called upon treason, it is time for you to
stir, for ye have slept over long, and suffered over much. So God me
help, said Sir Launcelot, I am right heavy of Sir Gawaine’s words, for
now he charged me with a great charge; and therefore I wot it as well
as ye, that I must defend me, or else to be recreant. Then Sir
Launcelot bade saddle his strongest horse, and bad let fetch his arms,
and bring all unto the gate of the tower. And then Sir Launcelot spake
on high unto king Arthur, and said, My lord Arthur, and noble king that
made me knight, wit you well I am right heavy for your sake, that ye
thus sue upon me, and always I forbear you, for, and I would have been
vengeable, I might have met you in midst of the field, and there to
have made your boldest knights full tame: and now I have forborne half
a year, and suffered you and Sir Gawaine to do what ye would do, and
now I may endure it no longer, now must I needs defend myself, insomuch
Sir Gawaine hath appealed me of treason,—the which is greatly against
my will, that ever I should fight against any of your blood; but now I
may not forsake it, I am driven thereto as a beast till a bay. Then Sir
Gawaine said, Sir Launcelot, and thou darest do battle, leave thy
babbling and come off, and let us ease our hearts. Then Sir Launcelot
armed him lightly, and mounted upon his horse. And either of the
knights gat great spears in their hands, and the host without stood
still all apart, and the noble knights came out of the city by a great
number, insomuch that when Arthur saw the number of men and knights he
marvelled, and said to himself, Alas, that ever Sir Launcelot was
against me, for now I see he hath forborne me. And so the covenant was
made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal with them, till the one
were dead or yielden.