shall it be? said
Sir Bors. The Earl of Plains shall be in the one party, and the lady's
nephew of Hervin on the other party. Then Bors thought to be there if he
might meet with his brother Sir Lionel, or any other of his fellowship,
which were in the quest of the Sangreal. And then he turned to an
hermitage that was in the entry of the forest.

And when he was come thither he found there Sir Lionel, his brother,
which sat all armed at the entry of the chapel door for to abide there
harbour till on the morn that the tournament shall be. And when Sir Bors
saw him he had great joy of him, that it were marvel to tell of his joy.
And then he alighted off his horse, and said: Fair sweet brother, when
came ye hither? Anon as Lionel saw him he said: Ah Bors, ye may not make
none avaunt, but as for you I might have been slain; when ye saw
two knights leading me away beating me, ye left me for to succour a
gentlewoman, and suffered me in peril of death; for never erst ne did
no brother to another so great an untruth. And for that misdeed now I
ensure you but death, for well have ye deserved it; therefore keep thee
from henceforward, and that shall ye find as soon as I am armed. When
Sir Bors understood his brother's wrath he kneeled down to the earth and
cried him mercy, holding up both his hands, and prayed him to forgive
him his evil will. Nay, said Lionel, that shall never be an I may have
the higher hand, that I make mine avow to God, thou shalt have death for
it, for it were pity ye lived any longer.

Right so he went in and took his harness, and mounted upon his horse,
and came to-fore him and said: Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall
do to thee as I would to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the untruest
knight that ever came out of so worthy an house as was King Bors de
Ganis which was our father, therefore start upon thy horse, and so shall
ye be most at your advantage. And but if ye will I will run upon you
thereas ye stand upon foot, and so the shame shall be mine and the harm
yours, but of that shame ne reck I nought.

When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his brother or else to die, he
nist what to do; then his heart counselled him not thereto, inasmuch
as Lionel was born or he, wherefore he ought to bear him reverence;
yet kneeled he down afore Lionel's horse's feet, and said: Fair sweet
brother, have mercy upon me and slay me not, and have in remembrance
the great love which ought to be between us twain. Wha