go thus?"

With that the two knights mount their horses and go to the two issues
of the grave-yard, thinking that Lancelot is fain to flee therefrom;
but no desire hath he thereof, wherefore he cometh to the knight that
was guarding the entrance whereby he had to issue out, and smiteth him
so stiffly that he thrusteth the point of his spear right through his
body. The other knight that was guarding the other entrance, that had
fled out of the forest before, had no mind to avenge his fellow, and
fled incontinent so fast as he might. And Lancelot taketh the horse of
the knight he had slain and driveth him before him, for he thinketh
that some knight may haply have need thereof. He rideth on until he
cometh to a hermitage in the forest where he alighteth and hath his
horses stabled, and the Hermit giveth them of the best he hath. And
Lancelot heard mass, and afterward are a little and fell on sleep.
Thereafter, behold you, a knight that cometh to the Hermit and seeth
Lancelot that was about to mount.

"Sir," saith he, "Whither go you?"

"Sir Knight," saith Lancelot, "thither shall I go where God may please;
but you, whitherward are you bound to go?"

"Sir, I go to see one of my brethren and my two sisters, for I have
been told that he hath fallen on such mishap as that he is called the
Poor Knight, whereof am I sore sorrowful."

"Certes," saith Lancelot, "poor he is, the more the pity! Howbeit, will
you do him a message from me?"

"Sir," saith the knight, "Right willingly!"

"Will you present him with this horse on my behalf, and tell him how
Lancelot that harboured with him hath sent it?"

"Sir," saith the knight, "Right great thanks, and blessed may you be,
for he that doth a kindness to a worshipful man loseth it not."

"Salute the two damsels for me," saith Lancelot.

"Sir, right willingly!"

The knight delivereth the horse to his squire, and taketh leave of
Lancelot.

XI.

Thereupon, Lancelot departeth from the hermitage and rideth on until he
cometh forth of the forest, and findeth a waste land, a country broad
and long wherein wonned neither beast nor bird, for the land was so
poor and parched that no victual was to be found therein. Lancelot
looketh before him and seeth a city appear far away. Thither rideth he
full speed and seeth that the city is so great that it seemeth him to
encompass a whole country. He seeth the walls that are falling all
around, and the gates ruined with age. He en