Sir Launcelot.

CHAPTER VIII. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine fought together.

AND then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with
their horses as fast as they might run, and either smote other in midst
of their shields, that both their horses' backs brast under them, and
the knights were both stonied. And as soon as they might avoid their
horses, they took their shields afore them, and drew out their swords,
and came together eagerly, and either gave other many strong strokes,
for there might neither shields nor harness hold their strokes. And so
within a while they had both grimly wounds, and bled passing grievously.
Thus they fared two hours or more trasing and rasing either other, where
they might hit any bare place.

Then at the last they were breathless both, and stood leaning on their
swords. Now fellow, said Sir Turquine, hold thy hand a while, and tell
me what I shall ask thee. Say on. Then Turquine said, Thou art the
biggest man that ever I met withal, and the best breathed, and like one
knight that I hate above all other knights; so be it that thou be not he
I will lightly accord with thee, and for thy love I will deliver all the
prisoners that I have, that is three score and four, so thou wilt tell
me thy name. And thou and I we will be fellows together, and never to
fail thee while that I live. It is well said, said Sir Launcelot, but
sithen it is so that I may have thy friendship, what knight is he that
thou so hatest above all other? Faithfully, said Sir Turquine, his name
is Sir Launcelot du Lake, for he slew my brother, Sir Carados, at the
dolorous tower, that was one of the best knights alive; and therefore
him I except of all knights, for may I once meet with him, the one of
us shall make an end of other, I make mine avow. And for Sir Launcelot's
sake I have slain an hundred good knights, and as many I have maimed all
utterly that they might never after help themselves, and many have
died in prison, and yet have I three score and four, and all shall be
delivered so thou wilt tell me thy name, so be it that thou be not Sir
Launcelot.

Now, see I well, said Sir Launcelot, that such a man I might be, I might
have peace, and such a man I might be, that there should be war mortal
betwixt us. And now, sir knight, at thy request I will that thou wit and
know that I am Launcelot du Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, and very
knight of the Table Round. And now I defy thee, and do thy b