Then
Sir Lionel espied a great apple-tree that stood by an hedge, and said,
Brother, yonder is a fair shadow, there may we rest us [and] our horses.
It is well said, fair brother, said Sir Launcelot, for this eight year I
was not so sleepy as I am now; and so they there alighted and tied their
horses unto sundry trees, and so Sir Launcelot laid him down under an
appletree, and his helm he laid under his head. And Sir Lionel waked
while he slept. So Sir Launcelot was asleep passing fast.

And in the meanwhile there came three knights riding, as fast fleeing as
ever they might ride. And there followed them three but one knight. And
when Sir Lionel saw him, him thought he saw never so great a knight,
nor so well faring a man, neither so well apparelled unto all rights.
So within a while this strong knight had overtaken one of these knights,
and there he smote him to the cold earth that he lay still. And then he
rode unto the second knight, and smote him so that man and horse fell
down. And then straight to the third knight he rode, and smote him
behind his horse's arse a spear length. And then he alighted down and
reined his horse on the bridle, and bound all the three knights fast
with the reins of their own bridles. When Sir Lionel saw him do thus, he
thought to assay him, and made him ready, and stilly and privily he took
his horse, and thought not for to awake Sir Launcelot. And when he was
mounted upon his horse, he overtook this strong knight, and bade him
turn, and the other smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man he bare
to the earth, and so he alighted down and bound him fast, and threw him
overthwart his own horse, and so he served them all four, and rode with
them away to his own castle. And when he came there he gart unarm them,
and beat them with thorns all naked, and after put them in a deep prison
where were many more knights, that made great dolour.

CHAPTER II. How Sir Ector followed for to seek Sir Launcelot, and how he
was taken by Sir Turquine.

WHEN Sir Ector de Maris wist that Sir Launcelot was passed out of the
court to seek adventures, he was wroth with himself, and made him ready
to seek Sir Launcelot, and as he had ridden long in a great forest he
met with a man was like a forester. Fair fellow, said Sir Ector, knowest
thou in this country any adventures that be here nigh hand? Sir, said
the forester, this country know I well, and hereby, within this mile,
is a strong manor, and well