ago, said
Sir Dinadan, sithen he gave me a fall. Ah, fair knight, said his host,
thereof have ye no marvel, for he is a passing good knight, and his name
is Sir Tor, the son of Aries le Vaysher. Ah, said Sir Dinadan, was that
Sir Tor? for truly so ever me thought.

Right as they stood thus talking together they saw come riding to them
over a plain six knights of the court of King Arthur, well armed at all
points. And there by their shields Sir Dinadan knew them well. The first
was the good knight Sir Uwaine, the son of King Uriens, the second was
the noble knight Sir Brandiles, the third was Ozana le Cure Hardy, the
fourth was Uwaine les Aventurous, the fifth was Sir Agravaine, the sixth
Sir Mordred, brother to Sir Gawaine. When Sir Dinadan had seen these six
knights he thought in himself he would bring King Mark by some wile to
joust with one of them. And anon they took their horses and ran after
these knights well a three mile English. Then was King Mark ware where
they sat all six about a well, and ate and drank such meats as they had,
and their horses walking and some tied, and their shields hung in divers
places about them. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, yonder are knights-errant that
will joust with us. God forbid, said King Mark, for they be six and we
but two. As for that, said Sir Dinadan, let us not spare, for I will
assay the foremost; and therewith he made him ready. When King Mark
saw him do so, as fast as Sir Dinadan rode toward them, King Mark rode
froward them with all his menial meiny. So when Sir Dinadan saw King
Mark was gone, he set the spear out of the rest, and threw his shield
upon his back, and came, riding to the fellowship of the Table Round.
And anon Sir Uwaine knew Sir Dinadan, and welcomed him, and so did all
his fellowship.

CHAPTER XII. How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to joust with King
Mark, and how King Mark refused him.

AND then they asked him of his adventures, and whether he had seen Sir
Tristram or Sir Launcelot. So God me help, said Sir Dinadan, I saw none
of them sithen I departed from Camelot. What knight is that, said Sir
Brandiles, that so suddenly departed from you, and rode over yonder
field? Sir, said he, it was a knight of Cornwall, and the most horrible
coward that ever bestrode horse. What is his name? said all these
knights. I wot not, said Sir Dinadan. So when they had reposed them, and
spoken together, they took their horses and rode to a castle where
dwelt an ol