he hath a brother, a passing good knight of prowess and a
full true man; and this damosel loved another knight that held her to
paramour, and this good knight her brother met with the knight that held
her to paramour, and slew him by force of his hands. When this false
damosel understood this, she went to the Lady Lile of Avelion, and
besought her of help, to be avenged on her own brother.

CHAPTER V. How Balin was pursued by Sir Lanceor, knight of Ireland, and
how he jousted and slew him.

AND so this Lady Lile of Avelion took her this sword that she brought
with her, and told there should no man pull it out of the sheath but if
he be one of the best knights of this realm, and he should be hard and
full of prowess, and with that sword he should slay her brother. This
was the cause that the damosel came into this court. I know it as well
as ye. Would God she had not come into this court, but she came never in
fellowship of worship to do good, but always great harm; and that knight
that hath achieved the sword shall be destroyed by that sword, for
the which will be great damage, for there liveth not a knight of more
prowess than he is, and he shall do unto you, my Lord Arthur, great
honour and kindness; and it is great pity he shall not endure but a
while, for of his strength and hardiness I know not his match living.

So the knight of Ireland armed him at all points, and dressed his shield
on his shoulder, and mounted upon horseback, and took his spear in his
hand, and rode after a great pace, as much as his horse might go; and
within a little space on a mountain he had a sight of Balin, and with a
loud voice he cried, Abide, knight, for ye shall abide whether ye will
or nill, and the shield that is to-fore you shall not help. When Balin
heard the noise, he turned his horse fiercely, and said, Fair knight,
what will ye with me, will ye joust with me? Yea, said the Irish knight,
therefore come I after you. Peradventure, said Balin, it had been better
to have holden you at home, for many a man weeneth to put his enemy to
a rebuke, and oft it falleth to himself. Of what court be ye sent from?
said Balin. I am come from the court of King Arthur, said the knight of
Ireland, that come hither for to revenge the despite ye did this day to
King Arthur and to his court. Well, said Balin, I see well I must have
ado with you, that me forthinketh for to grieve King Arthur, or any of
his court; and your quarrel is full simple, s