me. And so the covenant was
made, there should no man nigh them, nor deal with them, till the one
were dead or yelden.

CHAPTER XXI. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine did battle together, and
how Sir Gawaine was overthrown and hurt.

THEN Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot departed a great way asunder, and
then they came together with all their horses' might as they might run,
and either smote other in midst of their shields; but the knights were
so strong, and their spears so big, that their horses might not endure
their buffets, and so their horses fell to the earth; and then they
avoided their horses, and dressed their shields afore them. Then they
stood together and gave many sad strokes on divers places of their
bodies, that the blood brast out on many sides and places. Then had Sir
Gawaine such a grace and gift that an holy man had given to him, that
every day in the year, from underne till high noon, his might increased
those three hours as much as thrice his strength, and that caused
Sir Gawaine to win great honour. And for his sake King Arthur made an
ordinance, that all manner of battles for any quarrels that should be
done afore King Arthur should begin at underne; and all was done for Sir
Gawaine's love, that by likelihood, if Sir Gawaine were on the one part,
he should have the better in battle while his strength endureth three
hours; but there were but few knights that time living that knew this
advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but King Arthur all only.

Thus Sir Launcelot fought with Sir Gawaine, and when Sir Launcelot felt
his might evermore increase, Sir Launcelot wondered and dread him sore
to be shamed. For as the French book saith, Sir Launcelot weened, when
he felt Sir Gawaine double his strength, that he had been a fiend and
none earthly man; wherefore Sir Launcelot traced and traversed, and
covered himself with his shield, and kept his might and his braide
during three hours; and that while Sir Gawaine gave him many sad brunts,
and many sad strokes, that all the knights that beheld Sir Launcelot
marvelled how that he might endure him; but full little understood they
that travail that Sir Launcelot had for to endure him. And then when
it was past noon Sir Gawaine had no more but his own might. When Sir
Launcelot felt him so come down, then he stretched him up and stood
near Sir Gawaine, and said thus: My lord Sir Gawaine, now I feel ye have
done; now my lord Sir Gawaine, I must do my part, for m