verthroweth him and his horse together. Then draweth he
his sword and runneth upon him. And the knight crieth out: "Hold,
Messire Gawain! Are you minded to slay me? I yield me conquered, for
no mind have I to die for another's folly, and so I cry you mercy
hereof."

Messire Gawain thinketh that he will do him no further harm, for that
of right behoveth him do his lord's bidding. Messire Gawain holdeth
his hands, and he doth him homage on behalf of his lord for his hold
and all of his land and becometh his man.

VI.

Thereupon the knight departeth and Messire Gawain remaineth there.

"Sir," saith the Knight Coward to Messire Gawain, "I have no mind to be
so hardy as are you; for, so God help me, had he defied me in such-wise
as he defied you, should have fled away forthwith, or elsewise I should
hay fallen at his feet and cried him of mercy."

"You wish for nought but peace," saith Messire Gawain.

"By S. James," saith the Coward, "Therein are you quite right, for of
war cometh nought but evil; nor never have I had no hurt nor wound saw
some branch of a tree or the like gave it me, and I see your face all
seamed and scarred in many places. So God help me, of such hardiesse
make I but small account, and every day I pray God that He defend me.
And so to God I commend you, for I am going after my Damsel of the Car."

"Not thus shall you go," saith Messire Gawain, "save you tell me first
wherefore your Damsel of the Car beareth her arm slung to her neck in
such-wise."

"Sir, this may I well tell you. With this hand serve she of the most
Holy-Graal the knight that was in the hostel of King Fisherman that
would not ask whereof the Graal served; for that she held therein the
precious vessel whereinto the glorious blood fell drop by drop from the
point of the lance, so that none other thing is she minded to hold
therein until such time as she shall come back to the holy place where
it is. Sir," saith the Knight Coward, "Now, so please you, may I well
go hence, and see, here is my spear that I give you, for nought is
there that I have to do therewithal."

Messire Gawain taketh it, for his own was broken short, and departeth
from the knight and commendeth him to God. And he goeth his way a
great pace, and Messire Gawain also goeth amidst the forest, and full
weary is he and forspent with travail. And he rode until the sun was
due to set. And he meeteth a knight that was coming athwart the forest
and came to