ore him in
the mire for to save my brother's life, that had done him no damage, but
fought with him by adventure of arms, and so for all that I could do
he struck off his head; wherefore I require thee, as thou art a true
knight, to give me my gift, or else I shall shame thee in all the
court of King Arthur; for he is the falsest knight living, and a great
destroyer of good knights. Then when Abelleus heard this, he was more
afeard, and yielded him and asked mercy. I may not now, said Sir Tor,
but if I should be found false of my promise; for while I would have
taken you to mercy ye would none ask, but if ye had the brachet again,
that was my quest. And therewith he took off his helm, and he arose and
fled, and Sir Tor after him, and smote off his head quite.
Now sir, said the damosel, it is near night; I pray you come and lodge
with me here at my place, it is here fast by. I will well, said Sir Tor,
for his horse and he had fared evil since they departed from Camelot,
and so he rode with her, and had passing good cheer with her; and she
had a passing fair old knight to her husband that made him passing good
cheer, and well eased both his horse and him. And on the morn he heard
his mass, and brake his fast, and took his leave of the knight and of
the lady, that besought him to tell them his name. Truly, he said, my
name is Sir Tor that was late made knight, and this was the first quest
of arms that ever I did, to bring again that this knight Abelleus took
away from King Arthur's court. O fair knight, said the lady and her
husband, an ye come here in our marches, come and see our poor lodging,
and it shall be always at your commandment. So Sir Tor departed and came
to Camelot on the third day by noon, and the king and the queen and all
the court was passing fain of his coming, and made great joy that he was
come again; for he went from the court with little succour, but as King
Pellinore his father gave him an old courser, and King Arthur gave him
armour and a sword, and else had he none other succour, but rode so
forth himself alone. And then the king and the queen by Merlin's advice
made him to swear to tell of his adventures, and so he told and made
proofs of his deeds as it is afore rehearsed, wherefore the king and the
queen made great joy. Nay, nay, said Merlin, these be but japes to that
he shall do; for he shall prove a noble knight of prowess, as good
as any is living, and gentle and courteous, and of good tatch
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