ouch that was therewithin, with his sword by his
side, all armed. He was weary and the bed was soft, so he went to
sleep. Howbeit, the dwarf mounteth on his horse that he had left still
saddled, and goeth his way to the other hold where the robbers were,
all five, that were Lancelot's mortal enemies. The damsel remained all
alone with him that she hated of a right deadly hate. She thought to
herself that gladly would she slay him, and that, so she might compass
it, she would be thereof held in greater worship of all the world, for
well she knew that he was a good knight, and that one so good she had
never slain. She filched away the sword that was at his side, then
drew it from the scabbard, then looketh to see where she may lightliest
smite him to slay him. She seeth that his head is so covered of armour
that nought appeareth thereof save only the face, and she bethinketh
her that one stroke nor two on the helmet would scarce hurt him
greatly, but that and she might lift the skirt of his habergeon without
awakening him she might well slay him, for so might she thrust the
sword right through his heart. Meanwhile, as she was searching thus,
Lancelot, that was sleeping and took no heed thereof, saw, so it seemed
him, a little cur-dog come therewithin, and brought with him sundry
great mongrel ban-dogs that ran upon him on all sides, and the little
cur bit at him likewise among the others. The ban-dogs held him so
fast that he might not get away from them. He seeth that a greyhound
bitch had hold of his sword, and she had hands like a woman, and was
fain to slay him. And it seemed him that he snatched the sword from
her and slew the greyhound bitch and the biggest and most masterful of
the ban-dogs and the little cur. He was scared of the dream and
started up and awoke, and felt the scabbard of his sword by his side,
that the damsel had left there all empty, the which he perceived not,
and soon thereafter he fell on sleep again. The dwarf that had stolen
his horse cometh to the robber knights, and crieth to them, "Up, Sirs,
and haste you to come and avenge you of your mortal enemy that sent the
best of your kindred out of the world with such shame! See, here is
his horse that I bring you for a token!" He alighteth of the horse, and
giveth him up to them. Right joyous are the robbers of the tidings he
telleth them. The dwarf bringeth them all armed to the hold.

V.

Lancelot was awake, all scared of the dr