they sat there came running in a white hart into the hall,
and a white brachet next him, and thirty couple of black running hounds
came after with a great cry, and the hart went about the Table Round as
he went by other boards. The white brachet bit him by the buttock
and pulled out a piece, wherethrough the hart leapt a great leap and
overthrew a knight that sat at the board side; and therewith the knight
arose and took up the brachet, and so went forth out of the hall, and
took his horse and rode his way with the brachet. Right so anon came in
a lady on a white palfrey, and cried aloud to King Arthur, Sir, suffer
me not to have this despite, for the brachet was mine that the knight
led away. I may not do therewith, said the king.

With this there came a knight riding all armed on a great horse, and
took the lady away with him with force, and ever she cried and made
great dole. When she was gone the king was glad, for she made such a
noise. Nay, said Merlin, ye may not leave these adventures so lightly;
for these adventures must be brought again or else it would be
disworship to you and to your feast. I will, said the king, that all
be done by your advice. Then, said Merlin, let call Sir Gawaine, for he
must bring again the white hart. Also, sir, ye must let call Sir Tor,
for he must bring again the brachet and the knight, or else slay him.
Also let call King Pellinore, for he must bring again the lady and the
knight, or else slay him. And these three knights shall do marvellous
adventures or they come again. Then were they called all three as it
rehearseth afore, and each of them took his charge, and armed them
surely. But Sir Gawaine had the first request, and therefore we will
begin at him.

CHAPTER VI. How Sir Gawaine rode for to fetch again the hart, and how
two brethren fought each against other for the hart.

SIR GAWAINE rode more than a pace, and Gaheris his brother that rode
with him instead of a squire to do him service. So as they rode they
saw two knights fight on horseback passing sore, so Sir Gawaine and his
brother rode betwixt them, and asked them for what cause they fought so.
The one knight answered and said, We fight for a simple matter, for we
two be two brethren born and begotten of one man and of one woman. Alas,
said Sir Gawaine, why do ye so? Sir, said the elder, there came a white
hart this way this day, and many hounds chased him, and a white brachet
was alway next him, and we understood