m Sir Launcelot, and
prayed him to encounter with that knight. Sir, said Launcelot, I may
well find in my heart for to forbear him as at this time, for he hath
had travail enough this day; and when a good knight doth so well upon
some day, it is no good knight's part to let him of his worship,
and namely, when he seeth a knight hath done so great labour; for
peradventure, said Sir Launcelot, his quarrel is here this day, and
peradventure he is best beloved with this lady of all that be here;
for I see well he paineth him and enforceth him to do great deeds, and
therefore, said Sir Launcelot, as for me, this day he shall have the
honour; though it lay in my power to put him from it I would not.

CHAPTER XXIX. Yet of the said tournament.

THEN when this was done there was drawing of swords, and then there
began a sore tournament. And there did Sir Lamorak marvellous deeds of
arms; and betwixt Sir Lamorak and Sir Ironside, that was the Red Knight
of the Red Launds, there was strong battle; and betwixt Sir Palamides
and Bleoberis there was a strong battle; and Sir Gawaine and Sir
Tristram met, and there Sir Gawaine had the worse, for he pulled Sir
Gawaine from his horse, and there he was long upon foot, and defouled.
Then came in Sir Launcelot, and he smote Sir Turquine, and he him; and
then came Sir Carados his brother, and both at once they assailed him,
and he as the most noblest knight of the world worshipfully fought with
them both, that all men wondered of the noblesse of Sir Launcelot. And
then came in Sir Gareth, and knew that it was Sir Launcelot that fought
with the two perilous knights. And then Sir Gareth came with his good
horse and hurtled them in-sunder, and no stroke would he smite to Sir
Launcelot. That espied Sir Launcelot, and deemed it should be the good
knight Sir Gareth: and then Sir Gareth rode here and there, and smote
on the right hand and on the left hand, and all the folk might well espy
where that he rode. And by fortune he met with his brother Sir Gawaine,
and there he put Sir Gawaine to the worse, for he put off his helm, and
so he served five or six knights of the Round Table, that all men said
he put him in the most pain, and best he did his devoir. For when Sir
Tristram beheld him how he first jousted and after fought so well with
a sword, then he rode unto Sir Ironside and to Sir Persant of Inde, and
asked them, by their faith, What manner a knight is yonder knight that
seemeth in so