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

Good ole sir launcelot!!!

Yukon King wrote:
> 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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