_How Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot did battle together, and how Sir
Gawaine was overthrown and hurt._
Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great way in sunder, and
then they came together with all their horses’ might as they might run,
and either smote other in midst of their shields, but the knights were
so strong, and their spears so big, that their horses might not endure
their buffets, and so the horses fell to the earth. And then they
avoided their horses, and dressed their shields afore them. Then they
stood together, and gave many sad strokes on divers places of their
bodies, that the blood brast out on many sides and places. Then had Sir
Gawaine such a grace and gift that an holy man had given to him, that
every day in the year, from underne till high noon, his might increased
those three hours, as much as thrice his strength, and that caused Sir
Gawaine to win great honour. And for his sake king Arthur made an
ordinance that all manner of battles for any quarrels that should be
done before king Arthur, should begin at underne, and all was done for
Sir Gawaine’s love, that by likelihood if that Sir Gawaine were on the
one part he should have the better in battle, while his strength
endured three hours, but there were but few knights that time living
that knew this advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but king Arthur all
only. Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine, and when Sir
Launcelot felt his might evermore increase, Sir Launcelot wondered, and
dread him sore to be shamed. For, as the French book saith, Sir
Launcelot wend, when he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that he
had been a fiend and no earthly man, wherefore Sir Launcelot traced and
traversed, and covered himself with his shield, and kept his might and
his braid during three hours: and that while Sir Gawaine gave him many
sad brunts and many sad strokes, that all the knights that beheld Sir
Launcelot marvelled how he might endure him, but full little understood
they that travail that Sir Launcelot had for to endure him. And then
when it was past noon, Sir Gawaine had no more but his own might. Then
Sir Launcelot felt him so come down; then he stretched him up, and
stood near Sir Gawaine, and said thus, My lord Sir Gawaine, now I feel
ye have done, now my lord Sir Gawaine I must do my part, for many great
and grievous strokes I have endured you this day with great pain. Then
Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes, and gave Sir Gawaine such a buffet
on the helmet, that he fell down on his side, and Sir Launcelot
withdrew him from him. Why withdrawest thou thee? said Sir Gawaine; now
turn again, false traitor knight, and slay me; for and thou leave me
thus, when I am whole I shall do battle with thee again.—I shall
endure you, sir, by God’s grace, but wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, I will
never smite a felled knight. And so Sir Launcelot went into the city,
and Sir Gawaine was borne into one of king Arthur’s pavilions, and
leeches were brought to him, and searched and salved with soft
ointments. And then Sir Launcelot said, Now have good day, my lord the
king, for, wit you well, ye win no worship at these walls; and if I
would my knights out bring, there should many a man die. Therefore, my
lord Arthur, remember you of old kindness, and however I fare Jesu be
your guide in all places.