men. Other wrongs besides these
he righted, and bravely withstood many a struggle.

Now on a day it chanced that he passed a deep forest, where, as often
before, he found strait lodging. But he was brave and strong, and
feared no hardship provided he did nothing contrary to his honour as a
worthy knight. As he was riding over a long bridge there started upon
him suddenly a passing foul churl, who struck his horse upon the nose
and asked Sir Launcelot why he rode over that bridge without licence.

"Why should I not ride this way?" said Sir Launcelot; "it is the way I
choose to ride."

"Thou shall not choose," said the churl, and began to beat him with his
great club shod with iron.

Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and made short work of this rough porter.
Then he rode right on to the end of the bridge, through the fair
village, where all the people in vain gave him warning, and on straight
into the green courtyard of the castle, which was Tintagil, in Cornwall.

Anon there came upon him two great giants, with horrible clubs in their
hands. With shield and sword he soon laid on the earth one of these
giants. The other ran away for fear of the horrible strokes, and Sir
Launcelot entered the hall. Here he set free three-score gentlewomen,
who for seven years had been prisoners of the two giants, working all
manner of silk works for their food.

"Show me such cheer as ye have," said Sir Launcelot, "and what treasure
there is in this castle I give you for a reward for your grievance."
Then soon he mounted his horse again, and rode away upon further
adventure.

One night he came to the courtyard of an old gentleman, who lodged him
with a good will, and there he had good cheer for himself and his
horse. When time was his host brought him into a fair garret over the
gate to his bed. There Sir Launcelot unarmed him, set his armour
beside him, and went to bed, and anon fell asleep. Soon afterward
there came one on horseback, and knocked at the gate in great haste.
When Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out at the
window, and saw by the moonlight three knights come after that one man;
all three lashed on him at once with swords, and that one knight turned
on them knightly again and defended himself.

"Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "yonder one knight shall I help, for it
were shame for me to see three knights on one, and if he be slain I am
partner in his death."

Therewith he took his armour and let h