ir Launcelot departed from the damosel and
from Sir La Cote Male Taile, for to oversee that letter, and to write
another letter unto Sir Tristram de Liones.

And in the meanwhile La Cote Male Taile rode with the damosel until they
came to a castle that hight Pendragon; and there were six knights stood
afore him, and one of them proffered to joust with La Cote Male Taile.
And there La Cote Male Taile smote him over his horse's croup. And then
the five knights set upon him all at once with their spears, and
there they smote La Cote Male Taile down, horse and man. And then they
alighted suddenly, and set their hands upon him all at once, and took
him prisoner, and so led him unto the castle and kept him as prisoner.

And on the morn Sir Launcelot arose, and delivered the damosel with
letters unto Sir Tristram, and then he took his way after La Cote Male
Taile; and by the way upon a bridge there was a knight proffered Sir
Launcelot to joust, and Sir Launcelot smote him down, and then they
fought upon foot a noble battle together, and a mighty; and at the last
Sir Launcelot smote him down grovelling upon his hands and his knees.
And then that knight yielded him, and Sir Launcelot received him fair.
Sir, said the knight, I require thee tell me your name, for much my
heart giveth unto you. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, as at this time I will
not tell you my name, unless then that ye tell me your name. Certainly,
said the knight, my name is Sir Nerovens, that was made knight of my
lord Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah, Nerovens de Lile, said Sir Launcelot, I
am right glad that ye are proved a good knight, for now wit ye well my
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said Sir Nerovens de Lile, what
have I done! And therewithal flatling he fell to his feet, and would
have kissed them, but Sir Launcelot would not let him; and then either
made great joy of other. And then Sir Nerovens told Sir Launcelot that
he should not go by the Castle of Pendragon: For there is a lord, a
mighty knight, and many knights with him, and this night I heard say
that they took a knight prisoner yesterday that rode with a damosel, and
they say he is a Knight of the Round Table.

CHAPTER VI. How Sir Launcelot fought with six knights, and after with
Sir Brian, and how he delivered the prisoners.

AH, said Sir Launcelot, that knight is my fellow, and him shall I rescue
or else I shall lose my life therefore. And therewithal he rode fast
till he came before the C