Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK XX CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER IV

How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, and armed him in
his harness, and after slew Sir Agravaine, and twelve
of his fellows

AND therewith Sir Launcelot wrapped his mantle about
his arm well and surely; and by then they had gotten a
great form out of the hall, and therewithal they rashed
at the door.  Fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, leave your
noise and your rashing, and I shall set open this door, and
then may ye do with me what it liketh you.  Come off
then, said they all, and do it, for it availeth thee not to
strive against us all; and therefore let us into this
chamber, and we shall save thy life until thou come to
King Arthur.  Then Launcelot unbarred the door, and
with his left hand he held it open a little, so that but one
man might come in at once; and so there came striding a
good knight, a much man and large, and his name was
Colgrevance of Gore, and he with a sword struck at Sir
Launcelot mightily; and he put aside the stroke, and
gave him such a buffet upon the helmet, that he fell
grovelling dead within the chamber door.  And then Sir
Launcelot with great might drew that dead knight within
the chamber door; and Sir Launcelot with help of the
queen and her ladies was lightly armed in Sir Colgrevance's
armour.

And ever stood Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred
crying:  Traitor-knight, come out of the queen's chamber.
Leave your noise, said Sir Launcelot unto Sir Agravaine,
for wit you well, Sir Agravaine, ye shall not prison me
this night; and therefore an ye do by my counsel, go ye
all from this chamber door, and make not such crying and
such manner of slander as ye do; for I promise you by
my knighthood, an ye will depart and make no more
noise, I shall as to-morn appear afore you all before the
king, and then let it be seen which of you all, outher else
ye all, that will accuse me of treason; and there I shall
answer you as a knight should, that hither I came to the
queen for no manner of mal engin, and that will I prove
and make it good upon you with my hands.  Fie on thee,
traitor, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, we will have
thee maugre thy head, and slay thee if we list; for we let
thee wit we have the choice of King Arthur to save thee
or to slay thee.  Ah sirs, said Sir Launcelot, is there none
other grace with you? then keep yourself.

So then Sir Launcelot set all open the chamber door,
and mightily and knightly he strode in amongst them;
and anon at the first buffet he slew Sir Agravaine.  And
twelve of his fellows after, within a little while after, he
laid them cold to the earth, for there was none of the
twelve that might stand Sir Launcelot one buffet.  Also
Sir Launcelot wounded Sir Mordred, and he fled with all
his might.  And then Sir Launcelot returned again unto
the queen, and said:  Madam, now wit you well all our
true love is brought to an end, for now will King Arthur
ever be my foe; and therefore, madam, an it like you
that I may have you with me, I shall save you from all
manner adventures dangerous.  That is not best, said the
queen; meseemeth now ye have done so much harm, it
will be best ye hold you still with this.  And if ye see
that as to-morn they will put me unto the death, then
may ye rescue me as ye think best.  I will well, said Sir
Launcelot, for have ye no doubt, while I am living I shall
rescue you.  And then he kissed her, and either gave
other a ring; and so there he left the queen, and went
until his lodging.