t your will. You have not as yet lost any castle. Nought hath been
broken down nor burnt but open ground and cottages and houses, whereof
is no great harm done to yourself, and the shame thereof may lightly be
amended. King Madeglant is of great hardiment as of words, but in arms
will he not vanquish you so soon. If that he warreth upon you toward
the West, send thither one of the best knights of your court that may
maintain the war and defend the land against him."

IV.

The King sojourned at Cardoil of a long space. He believed in God and
His sweet Mother right well. He brought thither from the castle where
the Graal was the pattern whereby chalices should be made, and
commanded make them throughout all the land so as that the Saviour of
the world should be served more worshipfully. He commanded also that
bells be cast throughout his land after the fashion of the one he had
brought, and that each church should have one according to the means
thereof. This much pleased the people of his kingdom, for thereby was
the land somewhat amended. The tidings came to him one day that Briant
and Meliant were riding through his land with great routs of folk, and
were minded to assiege Pannenoisance; and the King issued forth of
Cardoil with great throng of knights all armed, and rode until he
espied Briant and his people, and Briant him again. They ranged their
battles on both sides, and came together with such might and so great a
shock as that it seemed the earth shook; and they melled together at
the assembly with their spears so passing grimly as that the frushing
thereof might be heard right far away. Some fourteen fell in the
assembly that rose up again never more. Meliant of the Waste Manor
searcheth for Lancelot in the midst of the stour until he findeth him,
and runneth upon him right sturdily and pierceth his shield with his
spear. Lancelot smiteth him such a sweep amidst the breast, that he
thrusteth his spear right through his shoulder, and pinneth him so
strongly that the shaft is all to-brast, and the end thereof remaineth
in his body. And Meliant, all stricken through as he is, runneth upon
him and passeth his spear right through the shield and through the arm,
in such sort that he pinneth it to his side. He passeth beyond and
breaketh his spear, and afterward returneth to Lancelot, sword in fist,
and dealeth him a buffet on the helm so grimly that he all to-battered
it in. Lancelot waxeth right wro