, so I may help it."

"That shall they," say the knights, "Of yours as of the other, or
dearly shall you pay therefor!"

VI.

Right wroth waxeth Sir Lancelot, and cometh to the knight, and smiteth
him with his spear amidst the breast with such a thrust that it passeth
half an ell beyond, and overthroweth him and his horse together. The
other knight seeth his fellow wounded to the death, and cometh towards
him with a great sweep and breaketh his spear upon his shield.
Howbeit, Lancelot beareth him to the ground right over his horse-croup
and maketh him fall so heavily that he breaketh one of his legs. The
tidings are come to the Lady of the Castle that a knight hath come to
the pass that hath slain one of her knights and wounded the other. The
Lady is come thither, and bringeth two of her damsels with her. She
seeth Lancelot that is fain to slay the knight that lieth wounded on
the ground.

"Sir," saith the Lady to Lancelot, "Withdraw yourself back and slay him
not, but alight and speak to me in safety."

"Lady," saith one of the maidens, "I know him well. This is Lancelot
of the Lake, the most courteous knight that is in the court of King
Arthur."

He alighteth and cometh before the Lady. "Lady," saith he, "what is
your pleasure?"

"I desire," saith she, "that you come to my hostel to harbour, and that
you make me amends of the shame you have done me."

VII.

"Lady," saith Lancelot, "Shame have I never done you nor shall do, but
the knights took in hand too shameful a business when they were minded
to take the beards of stranger knights by force."

"Sir," saith she, "I will forego mine ill-will on condition that you
harbour herewithin to-night."

"Lady," saith Lancelot, "I desire not your ill-will, wherefore will I
gladly do your pleasure."

He setteth him within the castle and maketh his horse be led in after
him, and the Lady hath the dead knight brought into the chapel and
buried. The other she biddeth be disarmed and clothed and commandeth
that his wounds be searched. Then maketh she Lancelot be disarmed and
clad right richly in a good robe, and telleth him that she knoweth well
who he is.

"Lady," saith Lancelot, "It is well for me."

Thereupon they sit to eat, and the first course is brought in by
knights in chains that had their noses cut off; the second by knights
in chains that had their eyes put out; wherefore they were led in by
squires. The third course was brought in by knig