dyked, and by that manor, on the left hand,
there is a fair ford for horses to drink of, and over that ford there
groweth a fair tree, and thereon hang many fair shields that wielded
sometime good knights, and at the hole of the tree hangeth a basin of
copper and latten, and strike upon that basin with the butt of thy spear
thrice, and soon after thou shalt hear new tidings, and else hast thou
the fairest grace that many a year had ever knight that passed through
this forest. Gramercy, said Sir Ector, and departed and came to the
tree, and saw many fair shields. And among them he saw his brother's
shield, Sir Lionel, and many more that he knew that were his fellows of
the Round Table, the which grieved his heart, and promised to revenge
his brother.

Then anon Sir Ector beat on the basin as he were wood, and then he gave
his horse drink at the ford, and there came a knight behind him and bade
him come out of the water and make him ready; and Sir Ector anon turned
him shortly, and in feuter cast his spear, and smote the other knight a
great buffet that his horse turned twice about. This was well done, said
the strong knight, and knightly thou hast stricken me; and therewith he
rushed his horse on Sir Ector, and cleight him under his right arm, and
bare him clean out of the saddle, and rode with him away into his own
hall, and threw him down in midst of the floor. The name of this knight
was Sir Turquine. Then he said unto Sir Ector, For thou hast done this
day more unto me than any knight did these twelve years, now will I
grant thee thy life, so thou wilt be sworn to be my prisoner all thy
life days. Nay, said Sir Ector, that will I never promise thee, but that
I will do mine advantage. That me repenteth, said Sir Turquine. And then
he gart to unarm him, and beat him with thorns all naked, and sithen put
him down in a deep dungeon, where he knew many of his fellows. But when
Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel, then made he great sorrow. Alas, brother, said
Sir Ector, where is my brother Sir Launcelot? Fair brother, I left
him asleep when that I from him yode, under an apple-tree, and what
is become of him I cannot tell you. Alas, said the knights, but Sir
Launcelot help us we may never be delivered, for we know now no knight
that is able to match our master Turquine.

CHAPTER III How four queens found Launcelot sleeping, and how by
enchantment he was taken and led into a castle.

NOW leave we these knights prisoners, and sp