there said: "Mayhap that was the knight
who overthrew Sir Gawaine this day in the highroad over against the town
a little distance away. He calleth himself le Chevalier Malfait, and
hath for his companion a youthful knight hight Sir Lavaine, the King's
son of Corbin."

Then King Arthur laughed, and said, "Like enough that was he." And so
the King departed into his lodging, leaving all those knights much
wondering who that knight could be of whom the King spoke to them.

* * * * *

Thus it was that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine came to Astolat, and now
followeth the history of that famous bout at arms so far as it affected
Sir Launcelot of the Lake and his companion-at-arms, Sir Lavaine of
Corbin. For in that affair at arms, as you shall presently hear tell,
Sir Lavaine gained him such great glory and renown that thereafter he
was regarded as one of the great heroes of chivalry, and by and by
received that crowning honor of becoming a knight-companion of the Round
Table.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine overlook the Field of
Astolat:]

[Illustration]

Chapter Fourth

_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine fought in the tournament at Astolat.
How Sir Launcelot was wounded in that affair, and how Sir Lavaine
brought him unto a place of safety._

[Sidenote: _Of the lists at Astolat._]

So it is true that in these days one may not hope ever to behold a sight
like to the field-of-battle at Astolat upon Lady's Day Assumption, when
that tournament proclaimed by King Arthur was about to be fought before
the eyes of the King. For upon that morning--which was wonderfully
bright and clear and warm--the entire green meadow was altogether
covered over with a moving throng of people of all degrees--lords and
ladies, knights and dames, esquires, burghers, yeomen and
tradesfolk--all moving, each toward some stand from whence he might view
the battle that was about to take place. And here were gay attires and
bright colors and the fluttering of silk and the flash and sparkle of
shining baubles, and because of the sheen and sparkle of all these the
whole world appeared to be quick with life and motion.

Yet ever by little and little this confusion of many people pushing
themselves hither and thither resolved itself to order as one by one
that multitude took seat and brought itself to quietness. And so it came
to pass at last that the field prepared for battle