that ever he saw
except Sir Launcelot: there were many knights bare him record, nigh
three score. Then Sir Kay told the king how Sir Launcelot had rescued
him when he should have been slain, and how he made the knights yield
them to me, and not to him. And there they were all three, and bare
record. And by Jesu, said Sir Kay, because Sir Launcelot took my harness
and left me his I rode in good peace, and no man would have ado with me.

Anon therewithal there came the three knights that fought with Sir
Launcelot at the long bridge. And there they yielded them unto Sir Kay,
and Sir Kay forsook them and said he fought never with them. But I shall
ease your heart, said Sir Kay, yonder is Sir Launcelot that overcame
you. When they wist that they were glad. And then Sir Meliot de Logres
came home, and told the king how Sir Launcelot had saved him from the
death. And all his deeds were known, how four queens, sorceresses, had
him in prison, and how he was delivered by King Bagdemagus' daughter.
Also there were told all the great deeds of arms that Sir Launcelot did
betwixt the two kings, that is for to say the King of Northgalis and
King Bagdemagus. All the truth Sir Gahalantine did tell, and Sir Mador
de la Porte and Sir Mordred, for they were at that same tournament.
Then came in the lady that knew Sir Launcelot when that he wounded Sir
Belleus at the pavilion. And there, at request of Sir Launcelot, Sir
Belleus was made knight of the Round Table. And so at that time Sir
Launcelot had the greatest name of any knight of the world, and most he
was honoured of high and low.

Explicit the noble tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake, which is the vi.
book. Here followeth the tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney that was called
Beaumains by Sir Kay, and is the seventh book.

BOOK VII.

CHAPTER I. How Beaumains came to King Arthur's Court and demanded three
petitions of King Arthur.

WHEN Arthur held his Round Table most plenour, it fortuned that he
commanded that the high feast of Pentecost should be holden at a city
and a castle, the which in those days was called Kynke Kenadonne, upon
the sands that marched nigh Wales. So ever the king had a custom that at
the feast of Pentecost in especial, afore other feasts in the year,
he would not go that day to meat until he had heard or seen of a great
marvel. And for that custom all manner of strange adventures came before
Arthur as at that feast before all other feasts. And so Sir Gawain