thout his licence. Why should I
not ride this way? said Sir Launcelot, I may not ride beside. Thou shalt
not choose, said the churl, and lashed at him with a great club shod
with iron. Then Sir Launcelot drew his sword and put the stroke aback,
and clave his head unto the paps. At the end of the bridge was a fair
village, and all the people, men and women, cried on Sir Launcelot, and
said, A worse deed didst thou never for thyself, for thou hast slain the
chief porter of our castle. Sir Launcelot let them say what they would,
and straight he went into the castle; and when he came into the castle
he alighted, and tied his horse to a ring on the wall and there he saw a
fair green court, and thither he dressed him, for there him thought was
a fair place to fight in. So he looked about, and saw much people in
doors and windows that said, Fair knight, thou art unhappy.

CHAPTER XI. How Sir Launcelot slew two giants, and made a castle free.

ANON withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save
the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put his
shield afore him and put the stroke away of the one giant, and with his
sword he clave his head asunder. When his fellow saw that, he ran away
as he were wood, for fear of the horrible strokes, and Launcelot after
him with all his might, and smote him on the shoulder, and clave him to
the navel. Then Sir Launcelot went into the hall, and there came afore
him three score ladies and damosels, and all kneeled unto him, and
thanked God and him of their deliverance; For sir, said they, the most
party of us have been here this seven year their prisoners, and we
have worked all manner of silk works for our meat, and we are all great
gentlewomen born; and blessed be the time, knight, that ever thou be
born, for thou hast done the most worship that ever did knight in this
world, that will we bear record, and we all pray you to tell us your
name, that we may tell our friends who delivered us out of prison. Fair
damosel, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah, sir, said they
all, well mayest thou be he, for else save yourself, as we deemed, there
might never knight have the better of these two giants; for many fair
knights have assayed it, and here have ended, and many times have we
wished after you, and these two giants dread never knight but you.
Now may ye say, said Sir Launcelot, unto your friends how and who hath
delivered you, and greet them