CHAPTER XII

How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir Kay's harness, and
how he smote down a knight.

NOW turn we unto Sir Launcelot that had ridden long in a great
forest, and at the last he came into a low country, full of fair
rivers and meadows.  And afore him he saw a long bridge, and
three pavilions stood thereon, of silk and sendal of divers hue. 
And without the pavilions hung three white shields on truncheons
of spears, and great long spears stood upright by the pavilions,
and at every pavilion's door stood three fresh squires, and so
Sir Launcelot passed by them and spake no word.  When he was
passed the three knights said them that it was the proud Kay; He
weeneth no knight so good as he, and the contrary is ofttime
proved.  By my faith, said one of the knights, his name was Sir
Gaunter, I will ride after him and assay him for all his pride,
and ye may behold how that I speed.  So this knight, Sir Gaunter,
armed him, and hung his shield upon his shoulder, and mounted
upon a great horse, and gat his spear in his hand, and walloped
after Sir Launcelot.  And when he came nigh him, he cried, Abide,
thou proud knight Sir Kay, for thou shalt not pass quit.  So Sir
Launcelot turned him, and either feutred their spears, and came
together with all their mights, and Sir Gaunter's spear brake,
but Sir Launcelot smote him down horse and man.  And when Sir
Gaunter was at the earth his brethren said each one to other,
Yonder knight is not Sir Kay, for he is bigger than he.  I dare
lay my head, said Sir Gilmere, yonder knight hath slain Sir Kay
and hath taken his horse and his harness.  Whether it be so or
no, said Sir Raynold, the third brother, let us now go mount upon
our horses and rescue our brother Sir Gaunter, upon pain of
death.  We all shall have work enough to match that knight, for
ever meseemeth by his person it is Sir <197>Launcelot, or Sir
Tristram, or Sir Pelleas, the good knight.

Then anon they took their horses and overtook Sir Launcelot, and
Sir Gilmere put forth his spear, and ran to Sir Launcelot, and
Sir Launcelot smote him down that he lay in a swoon.  Sir knight,
said Sir Raynold, thou art a strong man, and as I suppose thou
hast slain my two brethren, for the which raseth my heart sore
against thee, and if I might with my worship I would not have ado
with you, but needs I must take part as they do, and therefore,
knight, he said, keep thyself.  And so they hurtled together with
all their mights, and all to-shivered both their spears.  And
then they drew their swords and lashed together eagerly.  Anon
therewith arose Sir Gaunter, and came unto his brother Sir
Gilmere, and bade him, Arise, and help we our brother Sir
Raynold, that yonder marvellously matched yonder good knight. 
Therewithal, they leapt on their horses and hurtled unto Sir
Launcelot.

And when he saw them come he smote a sore stroke unto Sir
Raynold, that he fell off his horse to the ground, and then he
struck to the other two brethren, and at two strokes he struck
them down to the earth.  With that Sir Raynold began to start up
with his head all bloody, and came straight unto Sir Launcelot. 
Now let be, said Sir Launcelot, I was not far from thee when thou
wert made knight, Sir Raynold, and also I know thou art a good
knight, and loath I were to slay thee.  Gramercy, said Sir
Raynold, as for your goodness; and I dare say as for me and my
brethren, we will not be loath to yield us unto you, with that we
knew your name, for well we know ye are not Sir Kay.  As for that
be it as it be may, for ye shall yield you unto dame Guenever,
and look that ye be with her on Whitsunday, and yield you unto
her as prisoners, and say that Sir Kay sent you unto her.  Then
they swore it should be done, and so passed forth Sir Launcelot,
and each one of the brethren holp other as well as they might.



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