s to beware; for often I have seen the old
proved knights rebuked and slain by them that were but young beginners.
Thus they rode sure talking by the way together.

CHAPTER V. How Sir Launcelot came to the court and heard of La Cote Male
Taile, and how he followed after him, and how La Cote Male Taile was
prisoner.

HERE leave we off a while of this tale, and speak we of Sir Launcelot du
Lake,[*9] that when he was come to the court of King Arthur, then heard
he tell of the young knight La Cote Male Taile, how he slew the lion,
and how he took upon him the adventure of the black shield, the which
was named at that time the hardiest adventure of the world. So God me
save, said Sir Launcelot unto many of his fellows, it was shame to all
the noble knights to suffer such a young knight to take such adventure
upon him for his destruction; for I will that ye wit, said Sir
Launcelot, that that damosel Maledisant hath borne that shield many a
day for to seek the most proved knights, and that was she that Breuse
Saunce Pite took that shield from her, and after Tristram de Liones
rescued that shield from him and gave it to the damosel again, a little
afore that time that Sir Tristram fought with my nephew Sir Blamore de
Ganis, for a quarrel that was betwixt the King of Ireland and him. Then
many knights were sorry that Sir La Cote Male Taile was gone forth to
that adventure. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I cast me to ride after him.
And within seven days Sir Launcelot overtook La Cote Male Taile, and
then he saluted him and the damosel Maledisant. And when Sir Mordred saw
Sir Launcelot, then he left their fellowship; and so Sir Launcelot rode
with them all a day, and ever that damosel rebuked La Cote Male Taile;
and then Sir Launcelot answered for him, then she left off, and rebuked
Sir Launcelot.

[*9] Printed by Caxton as part of chap. iv.

So this meantime Sir Tristram sent by a damosel a letter unto Sir
Launcelot, excusing him of the wedding of Isoud la Blanche Mains; and
said in the letter, as he was a true knight he had never ado fleshly
with Isoud la Blanche Mains; and passing courteously and gentily Sir
Tristram wrote unto Sir Launcelot, ever beseeching him to be his good
friend and unto La Beale Isoud of Cornwall, and that Sir Launcelot would
excuse him if that ever he saw her. And within short time by the grace
of God, said Sir Tristram, that he would speak with La Beale Isoud, and
with him right hastily. Then S