th there
behind, and my lord cometh all armed, he and others, for the brother of
Gladoens hath defied him on behalf of his brother, but right little
recketh my lord of his defiance."

III.

Lancelot heareth how he that is coming is the enemy of him to whom had
he been alive, his love most was due. The Knight of the Green Shield
pointed him out so soon as he saw him.

"Sir," saith he to Lancelot, "Behold him by whom I am disherited, and
yet worse would he do to me and he knew that my brother were dead."

Lancelot, without saving more, so soon as he had espied the Knight of
the Rock, smiteth his horse with his spurs and cometh toward him. The
Lord of the Rock, that was proud and hardy, seeth Lancelot coming and
smiteth with his spurs the horse whereon he sitteth. They come with so
swift an onset either upon other that they break their spears upon
their shields, and hurtle together so sore that the Knight of the Rock
Gladoens falleth over the croup of his horse. Lancelot draweth his
sword and cometh above him, and he crieth him mercy and asketh him
wherefore he wisheth to slay him? Lancelot saith for the sake of
Gladoens from whom he hath reft his land and his castle. "And what is
that to you?" saith the knight. "Behoveth his brother challenge me
thereof."

"As much it behoveth me as his brother," saith Lancelot.

"Wherefore you?"

"For this," saith Lancelot, "That as much as he did for me will I do to
you."

He cutteth off his head and giveth it incontinent to the Knight of the
Green Shield.

"Now tell me," saith Lancelot, "Sith that he is dead, is he purged of
that whereof you appeached him?"

"Sir," saith the knight, "I hold him rightly quit thereof, for, sith
that he is dead, all claim on behalf of his kindred is abated by his
death."

"And I pledge you my faith loyally," saith Lancelot, "as I am a knight,
that never shall you be in peril nor in jeopardy of aught wherein I may
help you, so I be in place and free, but my help shall you have for
evermore, for that your brother staked his life to help me."

IV.

Lancelot and the knight lay the night at the Rock Gladoens, and the
Knight of the Green Shield had his land at his pleasure, and all were
obedient to him. And the upright and loyal were right glad, albeit
when they heard the tidings of Gladoens' death they were right
sorrowful thereof. Lancelot departed from the castle on the morrow,
and the knight remained therein, sorrowful for hi