A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR LAUNCELOT
In fulfilment of his oath as a knight of the Round Table Sir Launcelot
rode into many strange and wild countries and through many waters and
valleys. He slew Sir Turquine, who watched to destroy knights, and he
clove the head of another false traitor who attended to destroy and
distress ladies, damsels, and gentlewomen. Other wrongs besides these
he righted, and bravely withstood many a struggle.
Now on a day it chanced that he passed a deep forest, where, as often
before, he found strait lodging. But he was brave and strong, and
feared no hardship provided he did nothing contrary to his honour as a
worthy knight. As he was riding over a long bridge there started upon
him suddenly a passing foul churl, who struck his horse upon the nose
and asked Sir Launcelot why he rode over that bridge without licence.
"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot; "it is the way I
choose to ride."
"Thou shall not choose," said the churl, and began to beat him with his
great club shod with iron.
Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and made short work of this rough porter.
Then he rode right on to the end of the bridge, through the fair
village, where all the people in vain gave him warning, and on straight
into the green courtyard of the castle, which was Tintagil, in Cornwall.
Anon there came upon him two great giants, with horrible clubs in their
hands. With shield and sword he soon laid on the earth one of these
giants. The other ran away for fear of the horrible strokes, and Sir
Launcelot entered the hall. Here he set free three-score gentlewomen,
who for seven years had been prisoners of the two giants, working all
manner of silk works for their food.
"Show me such cheer as ye have," said Sir Launcelot, "and what treasure
there is in this castle I give you for a reward for your grievance."
Then soon he mounted his horse again, and rode away upon further
adventure.
One night he came to the courtyard of an old gentleman, who lodged him
with a good will, and there he had good cheer for himself and his
horse. When time was his host brought him into a fair garret over the
gate to his bed. There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, set his armour
beside him, and went to bed, and anon fell asleep. Soon afterward
there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great haste.
When Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out at the
window, and saw by the moonlight three knights come after that one man;
all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned
on them knightly again and defended himself.
"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "yonder one knight shall I help, for it
were shame for me to see three knights on one, and if he be slain I am
partner in his death."
Therewith he took his armour and let himself down from the window by a
sheet to the four knights.
"Turn you knights unto me," cried Sir Launcelot aloud, "and leave your
fighting with that knight."
And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was he who was so hard
bestead, and turned unto Sir Launcelot. And there began great battle,
for they alighted, all three, and struck many great strokes at Sir
Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. Sir Kay would have helped
him, but Sir Launcelot suffered him not, and anon within six strokes he
had struck all three to the earth. Sir Launcelot made them yield
themselves to Sir Kay and promise to go next Whitsunday to the court as
prisoners of Queen Guenever. So they were suffered to depart, and Sir
Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword. The host
came, and they entered, Sir Kay and he. "Sir," said the host, "I
thought you were in your bed." "So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I
arose and leaped out at my window to help an old fellow of mine."
When they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir
Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him for all his
kindness that he had holpen him from death.
"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "I have done nothing but that I ought to do,
and ye are welcome, and here shall ye repose you and take your rest."
So when Sir Kay was unarmed he asked for meat; there was meat fetched
him, and he ate strongly. Then they went to their beds, and Sir
Launcelot and Sir Kay were lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir
Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping. He put on Sir Kay's
armour and took his shield, and so went to the stable. He here got Sir
Kay's horse, took leave of his host, and so departed.
Then soon afterward Sir Kay arose. He missed Sir Launcelot, and then
he espied that his armour and his horse had been taken. "Now by my
faith," said he, "I know well that he will grieve some of the court of
King Arthur, for my armour and horse will beguile all knights; they
will believe it is I, and will be bold to him. And because I have his
armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace." Then soon
afterward Sir Kay thanked his host and departed.
So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest, and there in a dell he saw
four knights standing under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court.
Anon as they espied Sir Launcelot they thought by his arms it was Sir
Kay.
"Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, one of the four knights, "I will
prove Sir Kay's might"; so he got his spear in his hand, and came
toward Sir Launcelot. Therewith Sir Launcelot was ware, and knew him
well; and he smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man fell both
to the earth.
"Lo, my fellows," said Sir Ector, another of the four, "yonder ye may
see what a buffet he hath; that knight is much bigger than ever was Sir
Kay. Now shall ye see what I may do to him."
So Sir Ector got his spear in his hand and galloped toward Sir
Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot smote him through shield and shoulder so
that horse and man went to the earth, and ever his spear held.
"By my faith," said Sir Uwaine, "yonder is a strong knight, and I am
sure he hath slain Sir Kay; and I see by his great strength it will be
hard to match him."
Therewithal Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his hand and rode toward Sir
Launcelot. Sir Launcelot knew him well, and so he met him on the
plain, and gave him such a buffet that he was stunned, and long he wist
not where he was.
"Now see I well," said Sir Gawaine, the last of the four knights, "I
must encounter with that knight."
Then he dressed his shield and gat a good spear in his hand, and then
they let run their horses with all their mights, and either knight
smote other in midst of the shield. But Sir Gawaine's spear brake, and
Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his horse reversed
up-so-down.
Much sorrow had Sir Gawaine to get clear of his horse, and so Sir
Launcelot passed on a pace, and smiled, and said, "God give him joy
that made this spear, for there came never a better in my hand."
Then the four knights went each one to other and comforted each other.
"What say ye to this deed?" said Sir Gawaine. "He is a man of great
might, for that one spear hath felled us four. I dare lay my head it
is Sir Launcelot; I know it by his riding."