ear a token of yours upon mine helmet, and therefore what it is,
shew it me. Sir, she said, it is a red sleeve of mine, of scarlet,
well embroidered with great pearls: and so she brought it him. So
Sir Launcelot received it, and said: Never did I erst so much for no
damosel. And then Sir Launcelot betook the fair maiden his shield in
keeping, and prayed her to keep that until that he came again; and
so that night he had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the damosel
Elaine was about Sir Launcelot all the while she might be suffered.

CHAPTER X. How the tourney began at Winchester, and what knights were at
the jousts; and other things.

SO upon a day, on the morn, King Arthur and all his knights departed,
for their king had tarried three days to abide his noble knights. And so
when the king was ridden, Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine made them ready
to ride, and either of them had white shields, and the red sleeve
Sir Launcelot let carry with him. And so they took their leave at Sir
Bernard, the old baron, and at his daughter, the Fair Maiden of Astolat.
And then they rode so long till that they came to Camelot, that time
called Winchester; and there was great press of kings, dukes earls,
and barons, and many noble knights. But there Sir Launcelot was lodged
privily by the means of Sir Lavaine with a rich burgess, that no man in
that town was ware what they were. And so they reposed them there till
our Lady Day, Assumption, as the great feast should be. So then trumpets
blew unto the field, and King Arthur was set on high upon a scaffold to
behold who did best. But as the French book saith, the king would not
suffer Sir Gawaine to go from him, for never had Sir Gawaine the better
an Sir Launcelot were in the field; and many times was Sir Gawaine
rebuked when Launcelot came into any jousts disguised.

Then some of the kings, as King Anguish of Ireland and the King of
Scots, were that time turned upon the side of King Arthur. And then
on the other party was the King of Northgalis, and the King with the
Hundred Knights, and the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the
haut prince. But these three kings and this duke were passing weak to
hold against King Arthur's party, for with him were the noblest knights
of the world. So then they withdrew them either party from other, and
every man made him ready in his best manner to do what he might.

Then Sir Launcelot made him ready, and put the red sleeve upon his head,