xt
them both, and led him to a forester's lodge, and there they gave him
in charge to keep him well, and with him they abode three days. Then the
two knights took their horses and at the cross they departed. And then
said Sir Tristram to Sir Lamorak: I require you if ye hap to meet with
Sir Palomides, say him that he shall find me at the same well where I
met him, and there I, Sir Tristram, shall prove whether he be better
knight than I. And so either departed from other a sundry way, and Sir
Tristram rode nigh thereas was Sir Kehydius; and Sir Lamorak rode until
he came to a chapel, and there he put his horse unto pasture. And anon
there came Sir Meliagaunce, that was King Bagdemagus' son, and he there
put his horse to pasture, and was not ware of Sir Lamorak; and then this
knight Sir Meliagaunce made his moan of the love that he had to Queen
Guenever, and there he made a woful complaint. All this heard Sir
Lamorak, and on the morn Sir Lamorak took his horse and rode unto the
forest, and there he met with two knights hoving under the wood-shaw.
Fair knights, said Sir Lamorak, what do ye hoving here and watching? and
if ye be knights-errant that will joust, lo I am ready. Nay, sir knight,
they said, not so, we abide not here to joust with you, but we lie here
in await of a knight that slew our brother. What knight was that, said
Sir Lamorak, that you would fain meet withal? Sir, they said, it is Sir
Launcelot that slew our brother, and if ever we may meet with him
he shall not escape, but we shall slay him. Ye take upon you a great
charge, said Sir Lamorak, for Sir Launcelot is a noble proved knight. As
for that we doubt not, for there nis none of us but we are good enough
for him. I will not believe that, said Sir Lamorak, for I heard never
yet of no knight the days of my life but Sir Launcelot was too big for
him.

CHAPTER XIII. How Sir Lamorak met with Sir Meliagaunce, and fought
together for the beauty of Dame Guenever.

RIGHT so as they stood talking thus Sir Lamorak was ware how Sir
Launcelot came riding straight toward them; then Sir Lamorak saluted
him, and he him again. And then Sir Lamorak asked Sir Launcelot if there
were anything that he might do for him in these marches. Nay, said
Sir Launcelot, not at this time I thank you. Then either departed from
other, and Sir Lamorak rode again thereas he left the two knights, and
then he found them hid in the leaved wood. Fie on you, said Sir Lamorak,
false c