erefrom and were lying in the cool and pleasant grass beneath the
shade.

Then Sir Gawaine perceived where Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came
riding and he said to those who were with him: "Behold yonder two
knights coming hitherward. Now I am of a mind that Sir Mador de la Porte
and I shall try a fall with them, so stand ye by and see what
happeneth."

[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador bespeak Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine._]

So Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador took horse and rode a little forward and
met the two and saluted them very courteously, and Sir Launcelot and Sir
Lavaine saluted those others in like manner. Then Sir Gawaine said:
"Messires, I pray ye tell me who ye are and whither ye go upon this
pass."

Now Sir Launcelot knew very well who those two knights were because of
the devices upon their shields. Wherefore he changed his voice a little
when he answered Sir Gawaine so that Sir Gawaine should not know him.
And he said: "Messire, I know not by what right ye demand such knowledge
of us, nevertheless I may tell you that I am called le Chevalier
Malfait, and this, my comrade, is hight Sir Lavaine of Corbin. As for
our journey and its purpose, I may furthermore tell you that we intend,
God willing, to enter the tournament at Astolat to-morrow, in which
friendly battle you also, doubtless, intend to take a part."

Then Sir Gawaine said: "Tell me, Sir Knight Malfait, will you and your
companion try a fall with me and my companions-in-arms?"

Now Sir Launcelot had no very great relish for such an encounter as that
for he feared by some hap he should betray himself who he was. Yet he
wist that he must accept the challenge of Sir Gawaine, wherefore after a
little while of silence he said: "Sir Knight, we two would fain go our
way in peace, but an it cannot be otherwise we must needs accept your
challenge. But will you not let be and suffer us to pass onward?"

"Well," said Sir Gawaine, "this is a strange thing that you should
pretend to aspire to that tournament of to-morrow and yet have no heart
to meet in friendly tilt two knights whom you encounter upon the way."

"Sir," quoth Sir Launcelot, "we fear you not in any wise, wherefore,
make yourselves ready in God's name, and we upon our side will do our
endeavor."

[Sidenote: _The four knights run a tilt._]

[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine is overthrown._]

So Sir Gawaine and Sir Mador de la Porte made themselves ready as Sir
Launcelot had advised, and when