he assembly.

X.

King Arthur smiteth with his spurs like a good knight and overthroweth
two knights in his onset, and Messire Gawain rideth a bandon betwixt
two fellowships to be the better known. The most part say, "See!
There is Messire Gawain, the good knight that is King Arthur's nephew."

Nabigant of the Rock cometh toward him as fast as his horse may carry
him, lance in rest. Messire Gawain seeth him coming toward him right
furiously. He casteth his shield down on the ground and betaketh him
to flight as swiftly as he may. They that beheld him, some two score
or more, marvel thereof, and say, "Did ever one see the like
overpassing cowardize!"

Nabigant saith that he never yet followed a knight that was vanquished,
nor never will follow one of such conditions, for no great prize would
it be to take him and win his horse. Other knights come to joust with
him, but Messire Gawain fleeth and avoideth them the best he may, and
maketh semblance that none is there he durst abide. He draweth toward
King Arthur for safety. The King hath great shame of this that he seeth
him do, and right sore pains hath he of defending Messire Gawain, for
he holdeth as close to him as the pie doth to the bramble when the
falcon would take her. In such shame and dishonour was Messire Gawain
as long as the assembly lasted, and the knights said that he had gotten
him off with much less than he deserved, for that never had they seen
so craven knight at assembly or tournament as was he, nor never
henceforth would they have dread of him as they had heretofore. From
this day forward may many lightly avenge themselves upon him of their
kinsfolk and friends that he hath slain by the forest. The assembly
brake up in the evening, whereof the King and Messire Gawain were right
well pleased. The knights disarm them at their hostels and the King
and Messire Gawain at the damsels' tent.

XI.

With that, behold you the dwarf that cometh.

"By my head, damsels, your knights go from bad to worse! Of him in the
white arms one may even let pass, but Messire Gawain is the most coward
ever saw I yet, and so he were to run upon me to-morrow and I were
armed like as is he, I should think me right well able to defend me
against him. 'Tis the devil took him to a place where is such plenty of
knights, for the more folk that are there the better may one judge of
his ill conditions. And you, Sir," saith he to the King, "Wherefore do
you keep