ides had a fall; and so
Sir Launcelot or ever he stint, as fast as he might get spears, he smote
down thirty knights, and the most part of them were knights of the Table
Round; and ever the knights of his blood withdrew them, and made them
ado in other places where Sir Launcelot came not.

And then King Arthur was wroth when he saw Sir Launcelot do such deeds;
and then the king called unto him Sir Gawaine, Sir Mordred, Sir Kay, Sir
Griflet, Sir Lucan the Butler, Sir Bedivere, Sir Palomides, Sir Safere,
his brother; and so the king with these nine knights made them ready to
set upon Sir Launcelot, and upon Sir Lavaine. All this espied Sir Bors
and Sir Gareth. Now I dread me sore, said Sir Bors, that my lord, Sir
Launcelot, will be hard matched. By my head, said Sir Gareth, I will
ride unto my lord Sir Launcelot, for to help him, fall of him what fall
may, for he is the same man that made me knight. Ye shall not so, said
Sir Bors, by my counsel, unless that ye were disguised. Ye shall see
me disguised, said Sir Gareth; and therewithal he espied a Welsh knight
where he was to repose him, and he was sore hurt afore by Sir Gawaine,
and to him Sir Gareth rode, and prayed him of his knighthood to lend
him his shield for his. I will well, said the Welsh knight. And when Sir
Gareth had his shield, the book saith it was green, with a maiden that
seemed in it.

Then Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot all that he might and
said: Knight, keep thyself, for yonder cometh King Arthur with nine
noble knights with him to put you to a rebuke, and so I am come to
bear you fellowship for old love ye have shewed me. Gramercy, said Sir
Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Gareth, encounter ye with Sir Gawaine, and I
shall encounter with Sir Palomides; and let Sir Lavaine match with the
noble King Arthur. And when we have delivered them, let us three hold
us sadly together. Then came King Arthur with his nine knights with
him, and Sir Launcelot encountered with Sir Gawaine, and gave him such
a buffet that the arson of his saddle brast, and Sir Gawaine fell to the
earth. Then Sir Gareth encountered with the good knight Sir Palomides,
and he gave him such a buffet that both his horse and he dashed to the
earth. Then encountered King Arthur with Sir Lavaine, and there either
of them smote other to the earth, horse and all, that they lay a great
while. Then Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Agravaine, and Sir Gaheris, and
Sir Mordred; and Sir Gareth smote d