Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XVIII CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER XI

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field
against them of King Arthur's court, and how Launcelot
was hurt.

NOW, said Sir Launcelot, an ye will help me a little, ye
shall see yonder fellowship that chaseth now these men in
our side, that they shall go as fast backward as they went
forward.  Sir, spare not, said Sir Lavaine, for I shall do
what I may.  Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came
in at the thickest of the press, and there Sir Launcelot
smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramore, Sir Dodinas, Sir
Kay, Sir Griflet, and all this he did with one spear; and
Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan le Butler and Sir
Bedevere.  And then Sir Launcelot gat another spear,
and there he smote down Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and
Sir Mordred, and Sir Meliot de Logris; and Sir Lavaine
smote Ozanna le Cure Hardy.  And then Sir Launcelot
drew his sword, and there he smote on the right hand and
on the left hand, and by great force he unhorsed Sir
Safere, Sir Epinogris, and Sir Galleron; and then the
knights of the Table Round withdrew them aback, after
they had gotten their horses as well as they might.  O
mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is yonder that
doth so marvellous deeds of arms in that field?  I wot
well what he is, said King Arthur, but as at this time I
will not name him.  Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I would say it
were Sir Launcelot by his riding and his buffets that I see
him deal, but ever meseemeth it should not be he, for that
he beareth the red sleeve upon his head; for I wist him
never bear token at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman.
Let him be, said King Arthur, he will be better known,
and do more, or ever he depart.

Then the party that was against King Arthur were
well comforted, and then they held them together that
beforehand were sore rebuked.  Then Sir Bors, Sir Ector
de Maris, and Sir Lionel called unto them the knights of
their blood, as Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir
Aliduke, Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le
Beuse.  So these nine knights of Sir Launcelot's kin
thrust in mightily, for they were all noble knights; and
they, of great hate and despite that they had unto him,
thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and
Sir Lavaine, for they knew them not; and so they came
hurling together, and smote down many knights of Northgalis
and of Northumberland.  And when Sir Launcelot
saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand; and there
encountered with him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and
Sir Lionel, and all they three smote him at once with
their spears.  And with force of themself they smote Sir
Launcelot's horse to the earth; and by misfortune Sir
Bors smote Sir Launcelot through the shield into the side,
and the spear brake, and the head left still in his side.

When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie on the ground,
he ran to the King of Scots and smote him to the earth;
and by great force he took his horse, and brought him to
Sir Launcelot, and maugre of them all he made him to
mount upon that horse.  And then Launcelot gat a spear
in his hand, and there he smote Sir Bors, horse and man,
to the earth.  In the same wise he served Sir Ector and
Sir Lionel; and Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Blamore de
Ganis.  And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, for he
felt himself so sore y-hurt that he weened there to have
had his death.  And then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a
buffet on the helm that he fell down to the earth in a
swoon.  And in the same wise he served Sir Aliduke and
Sir Galihud.  And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Bellangere,
that was the son of Alisander le Orphelin.

And by this was Sir Bors horsed, and then he came
with Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and all they three smote
with swords upon Sir Launcelot's helmet.  And when he
felt their buffets and his wound, the which was so grievous,
then he thought to do what he might while he might
endure.  And then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet that he
made him bow his head passing low; and therewithal he
raced off his helm, and might have slain him; and so
pulled him down, and in the same wise he served Sir
Ector and Sir Lionel.  For as the book saith he might
have slain them, but when he saw their visages his heart
might not serve him thereto, but left them there.  And
then afterward he hurled into the thickest press of them
all, and did there the marvelloust deeds of arms that ever
man saw or heard speak of, and ever Sir Lavaine, the
good knight, with him.  And there Sir Launcelot with
his sword smote down and pulled down, as the French
book maketh mention, mo than thirty knights, and the
most part were of the Table Round; and Sir Lavaine did
full well that day, for he smote down ten knights of the
Table Round.