inst their enemies in
spite of that defeat which must certainly fall upon them in the end."

"I see it," said Sir Lavaine, "and have great pity for them."

"Hast thou so?" said Sir Launcelot. "Then let us take side with that
side which is so sore bestead, for I believe that if you will help me a
little we may well aid them and maybe stay the ill-fortune that seems
like to overwhelm them."

"Sir," quoth Sir Lavaine, "spare not, and I upon my side will do the
best that I am able for to help you."

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine take part in the battle._]

So with that Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine rode out from the forest
wherein they had sheltered themselves, and they set their spears in rest
and they drove forward to where those knights were doing combat. And
they drove faster and faster forward until they drove full tilt into the
thickest of the press.

The history of these things saith that in this charge and in other
charges that he made in that onset, Sir Launcelot smote down Sir
Brandiles, and Sir Sagramore, and Sir Dodinas, and Sir Kay, and Sir
Griflet, and the history saith that he smote down all those good knights
of the Round Table with one spear ere that spear burst asunder. And the
same history saith that Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucian the botteler
and Sir Bedivere with one spear in that charge and that then that spear
also was burst into pieces. And the history saith that Sir Launcelot got
him another spear and that Sir Lavaine did likewise and that thereafter
they two charged again as they had done before. And it saith that in
this second assault Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Agravaine, and Sir
Gaheris and Sir Modred and Sir Melyot of Logres, and that Sir Lavaine
smote down Sir Hozanna le Cure Hardy, and that after that those second
spears were burst in assault as the first had been.

Then Sir Lavaine withdrew a little to get another spear, but by that
time the madness of battle was upon Sir Launcelot so that he drew his
sword and he ran into the thickest of the press and smote upon the right
hand and the left hand with all his might and main so that in a
wonderfully short pass he had smitten down Sir Safir and Sir Epynogris
and Sir Galleron. And so terrible were the buffets he gave that all who
were nigh to him drew away from him from fear of the terrible blows
which he bestowed upon whomsoever came within his reach.

[Sidenote: _The Lady Elaine taketh joy in the battle._]

By now al