te down Sir Bellangere, that was the son
of Alisander le Orphelin.

And by this was Sir Bors horsed, and then he came with Sir Ector and
Sir Lionel, and all they three smote with swords upon Sir Launcelot's
helmet. And when he felt their buffets and his wound, the which was so
grievous, then he thought to do what he might while he might endure.
And then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet that he made him bow his head
passing low; and therewithal he raced off his helm, and might have slain
him; and so pulled him down, and in the same wise he served Sir Ector
and Sir Lionel. For as the book saith he might have slain them, but when
he saw their visages his heart might not serve him thereto, but left
them there. And then afterward he hurled into the thickest press of them
all, and did there the marvelloust deeds of arms that ever man saw or
heard speak of, and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight, with him. And
there Sir Launcelot with his sword smote down and pulled down, as the
French book maketh mention, mo than thirty knights, and the most part
were of the Table Round; and Sir Lavaine did full well that day, for he
smote down ten knights of the Table Round.

CHAPTER XII. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine departed out of the
field, and in what jeopardy Launcelot was.

MERCY Jesu, said Sir Gawaine to Arthur, I marvel what knight that he
is with the red sleeve. Sir, said King Arthur, he will be known or he
depart. And then the king blew unto lodging, and the prize was given by
heralds unto the knight with the white shield that bare the red sleeve.
Then came the King with the Hundred Knights, the King of Northgalis, and
the King of Northumberland, and Sir Galahad, the haut prince, and said
unto Sir Launcelot: Fair knight, God thee bless, for much have ye done
this day for us, therefore we pray you that ye will come with us that
ye may receive the honour and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved
it. My fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well if I have deserved
thanks I have sore bought it, and that me repenteth, for I am like never
to escape with my life; therefore, fair lords, I pray you that ye will
suffer me to depart where me liketh, for I am sore hurt. I take none
force of none honour, for I had liefer to repose me than to be lord of
all the world. And therewithal he groaned piteously, and rode a great
wallop away-ward from them until he came under a wood's side.

And when he saw that he was from the field n