t with his soul hanging in the scales betwixt life and
death.

[Sidenote: _King Arthur speaketh to Sir Gawaine._]

But King Arthur ever bore in mind how it was Sir Launcelot had been
wounded, wherefore, when that feast was over, he took Sir Gawaine aside,
and he said to him: "Sir, I would that you would seek out that knight of
the red sleeve where he is and bring him aid and succor." Sir Gawaine
said: "Lord, I pray you tell me; know you who is that knight? Methinks
he should be Sir Launcelot of the Lake, for I know of no other than he
who could do so nobly in battle as that champion did to-day. And yet, he
cannot be Sir Launcelot, for you wist very well that Sir Launcelot would
not wear the favor of any lady in such a wise as he wore the sleeve
about his helm to-day. So I know not who that knight can be."

"Well," said King Arthur, "when you have succored him then you will know
who he is."

[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine departs in search of Sir Launcelot._]

So Sir Gawaine withdrew from the court to seek that wounded champion.
And he remembered him that the knight had called himself le Chevalier
Malfait and that his companion-in-arms was Sir Lavaine, the son of King
Pelles of Corbin. So Sir Gawaine went to where were a number of knights
who knew of King Pelles, and he asked of these and of several others:
"Know ye, Messires, where I shall find King Pelles of Corbin?" They say
to him, "King Pelles is lodging at such and such a place." So Sir
Gawaine took horse and rode forth to the castle of the earl with whom
King Pelles had taken up his lodging, and King Pelles and his court were
still at that place. Then Sir Gawaine made demand to have speech with
King Pelles and therewith he was brought before the King where he was.
And the Lady Elaine the Fair was with King Pelles at that time, and Sir
Gawaine, when he beheld her, was amazed at her beauty.

Then Sir Gawaine said to King Pelles: "Fair Lord, can you tell me where
I shall find that wounded knight who called himself le Chevalier
Malfait?" King Pelles said, "Alas! I know not where he is." Sir Gawaine
said, "Lord, I pray you tell me who he is and what is his name." To this
King Pelles made reply: "Messire, I know not who that knight is saving
only that he came to us somewhat more than a year ago and that he slew
the great Dragon of Corbin; and that he was sorely wounded in his
encounter with the Dragon. Since that he hath abided at our court but
never have we known him by