on, and also for to deliver twenty knights that were in prison.
WHAT are ye that so complain? said King Arthur. We be here twenty
knights, prisoners, said they, and some of us have lain here seven year,
and some more and some less. For what cause? said Arthur. We shall tell
you, said the knights; this lord of this castle, his name is Sir Damas,
and he is the falsest knight that liveth, and full of treason, and a
very coward as any liveth, and he hath a younger brother, a good knight
of prowess, his name is Sir Ontzlake; and this traitor Damas, the elder
brother will give him no part of his livelihood, but as Sir Ontzlake
keepeth thorough prowess of his hands, and so he keepeth from him a full
fair manor and a rich, and therein Sir Ontzlake dwelleth worshipfully,
and is well beloved of all people. And this Sir Damas, our master is as
evil beloved, for he is without mercy, and he is a coward, and great war
hath been betwixt them both, but Ontzlake hath ever the better, and ever
he proffereth Sir Damas to fight for the livelihood, body for body, but
he will not do; other-else to find a knight to fight for him. Unto that
Sir Damas had granted to find a knight, but he is so evil beloved and
hated, that there is never a knight will fight for him. And when Damas
saw this, that there was never a knight would fight for him, he hath
daily lain await with many knights with him, and taken all the knights
in this country to see and espy their adventures, he hath taken them by
force and brought them to his prison. And so he took us separately as we
rode on our adventures, and many good knights have died in this prison
for hunger, to the number of eighteen knights; and if any of us all that
here is, or hath been, would have foughten with his brother Ontzlake, he
would have delivered us, but for because this Damas is so false and so
full of treason we would never fight for him to die for it. And we be so
lean for hunger that unnethe we may stand on our feet. God deliver you,
for his mercy, said Arthur.
Anon, therewithal there came a damosel unto Arthur, and asked him, What
cheer? I cannot say, said he. Sir, said she, an ye will fight for my
lord, ye shall be delivered out of prison, and else ye escape never the
life. Now, said Arthur, that is hard, yet had I liefer to fight with a
knight than to die in prison; with this, said Arthur, I may be delivered
and all these prisoners, I will do the battle. Yes, said the damosel.
I am ready,
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