ll that saw Sir Launcelot, and so did the damosel. And then he bade his
dwarf stert upon Sir Kay's horse, and so he did. By that Sir Launcelot
was come, then he proffered Sir Launcelot to joust; and either made them
ready, and they came together so fiercely that either bare down other
to the earth, and sore were they bruised. Then Sir Launcelot arose and
helped him from his horse. And then Beaumains threw his shield from him,
and proffered to fight with Sir Launcelot on foot; and so they rushed
together like boars, tracing, rasing, and foining to the mountenance
of an hour; and Sir Launcelot felt him so big that he marvelled of his
strength, for he fought more liker a giant than a knight, and that his
fighting was durable and passing perilous. For Sir Launcelot had so much
ado with him that he dreaded himself to be shamed, and said, Beaumains,
fight not so sore, your quarrel and mine is not so great but we may
leave off. Truly that is truth, said Beaumains, but it doth me good to
feel your might, and yet, my lord, I showed not the utterance.

CHAPTER V. How Beaumains told to Sir Launcelot his name, and how he was
dubbed knight of Sir Launcelot, and after overtook the damosel.

IN God's name, said Sir Launcelot, for I promise you, by the faith of my
body, I had as much to do as I might to save myself from you unshamed,
and therefore have ye no doubt of none earthly knight. Hope ye so that
I may any while stand a proved knight? said Beaumains. Yea, said
Launcelot, do as ye have done, and I shall be your warrant. Then, I pray
you, said Beaumains, give me the order of knighthood. Then must ye tell
me your name, said Launcelot, and of what kin ye be born. Sir, so
that ye will not discover me I shall, said Beaumains. Nay, said Sir
Launcelot, and that I promise you by the faith of my body, until it be
openly known. Then, sir, he said, my name is Gareth, and brother unto
Sir Gawaine of father and mother. Ah, sir, said Sir Launcelot, I am more
gladder of you than I was; for ever me thought ye should be of great
blood, and that ye came not to the court neither for meat nor for drink.
And then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of knighthood, and then Sir
Gareth prayed him for to depart and let him go.

So Sir Launcelot departed from him and came to Sir Kay, and made him to
be borne home upon his shield, and so he was healed hard with the
life; and all men scorned Sir Kay, and in especial Sir Gawaine and Sir
Launcelot said it w