imself down from the window by a
sheet to the four knights.

"Turn you knights unto me," cried Sir Launcelot aloud, "and leave your
fighting with that knight."

And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was he who was so hard
bestead, and turned unto Sir Launcelot. And there began great battle,
for they alighted, all three, and struck many great strokes at Sir
Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. Sir Kay would have helped
him, but Sir Launcelot suffered him not, and anon within six strokes he
had struck all three to the earth. Sir Launcelot made them yield
themselves to Sir Kay and promise to go next Whitsunday to the court as
prisoners of Queen Guenever. So they were suffered to depart, and Sir
Launcelot knocked at the gate with the pommel of his sword. The host
came, and they entered, Sir Kay and he. "Sir," said the host, "I
thought you were in your bed." "So I was," said Sir Launcelot, "but I
arose and leaped out at my window to help an old fellow of mine."

When they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew well that it was Sir
Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled down and thanked him for all his
kindness that he had holpen him from death.

"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "I have done nothing but that I ought to do,
and ye are welcome, and here shall ye repose you and take your rest."

So when Sir Kay was unarmed he asked for meat; there was meat fetched
him, and he ate strongly. Then they went to their beds, and Sir
Launcelot and Sir Kay were lodged together in one bed. On the morn Sir
Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay sleeping. He put on Sir Kay's
armour and took his shield, and so went to the stable. He here got Sir
Kay's horse, took leave of his host, and so departed.

Then soon afterward Sir Kay arose. He missed Sir Launcelot, and then
he espied that his armour and his horse had been taken. "Now by my
faith," said he, "I know well that he will grieve some of the court of
King Arthur, for my armour and horse will beguile all knights; they
will believe it is I, and will be bold to him. And because I have his
armour and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace." Then soon
afterward Sir Kay thanked his host and departed.

So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest, and there in a dell he saw
four knights standing under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court.
Anon as they espied Sir Launcelot they thought by his arms it was Sir
Kay.

"Now by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, one of the four knigh