astle of Pendragon; and anon therewithal there
came six knights, and all made them ready to set upon Sir Launcelot at
once; then Sir Launcelot feutred his spear, and smote the foremost that
he brake his back in-sunder, and three of them hit and three failed. And
then Sir Launcelot passed through them, and lightly he turned in again,
and smote another knight through the breast and throughout the back more
than an ell, and therewithal his spear brake. So then all the remnant of
the four knights drew their swords and lashed at Sir Launcelot. And at
every stroke Sir Launcelot bestowed so his strokes that at four strokes
sundry they avoided their saddles, passing sore wounded; and forthwithal
he rode hurling into that castle.

And anon the lord of the castle, that was that time cleped Sir Brian de
les Isles, the which was a noble man and a great enemy unto King Arthur,
within a while he was armed and upon horseback. And then they feutred
their spears and hurled together so strongly that both their horses
rashed to the earth. And then they avoided their saddles, and dressed
their shields, and drew their swords, and flang together as wood men,
and there were many strokes given in a while. At the last Sir Launcelot
gave to Sir Brian such a buffet that he kneeled upon his knees, and then
Sir Launcelot rashed upon him, and with great force he pulled off his
helm; and when Sir Brian saw that he should be slain he yielded him, and
put him in his mercy and in his grace. Then Sir Launcelot made him to
deliver all his prisoners that he had within his castle, and therein Sir
Launcelot found of Arthur's knights thirty, and forty ladies, and so he
delivered them; and then he rode his way. And anon as La Cote Male
Taile was delivered he gat his horse, and his harness, and his damosel
Maledisant.

The meanwhile Sir Nerovens, that Sir Launcelot had foughten withal afore
at the bridge, he sent a damosel after Sir Launcelot to wit how he sped
at the Castle of Pendragon. And then they within the castle marvelled
what knight he was, when Sir Brian and his knights delivered all those
prisoners. Have ye no marvel, said the damosel, for the best knight in
this world was here, and did this journey, and wit ye well, she said,
it was Sir Launcelot. Then was Sir Brian full glad, and so was his
lady, and all his knights, that such a man should win them. And when the
damosel and La Cote Male Taile understood that it was Sir Launcelot du
Lake that had r