ighteth in the midst
of the tents and cometh before the Queen all armed, and saith: "Lady, I
plain me of a knight that is there within that hath slain my lion, and
if you do me not right herein, I will harass you as much or more than I
will him, and will harm you in every wise I may. Wherefore I pray and
require you, for the love of Messire Gawain, whose man I am, that you
do me right herein."

"What is the knight's name?" saith the Queen.

"Lady," saith he, "He is called Clamados of the Shadows, and methinketh
I see him yonder, for I knew him when he was squire."

"And what is your name?" saith the Queen.

"Lady, I am called Melior of Logres."

"Clamados," saith the Queen, "Hear you what this knight saith?"

"Yea, Lady," saith he; "But again I require that you do me right of the
knight that slew my father and my uncle."

"Lady," saith Melior, "I would fain go. I know not toward whom the
knight proffereth his gage, but him do I appeal of felony for my lion
that he hath slain." He taketh in his hand the skirt of his habergeon:
"Lady, behold here the gage I offer you."

XV.

"Clamados," saith the Queen, "Hear you then not that which this knight
saith?"

"Lady," saith he, "I hear him well. Truth it is that I slew his lion,
but not until after he had fallen upon me, and made the wounds whereof
I have been healed herewithin. But well you know that the knight who
came hither last night hath done me greater wrong than have I done this
other. Wherefore would I pray you that I may take vengeance of him
first."

"You hear," saith she, "how this knight that hath come hither all armed
is fain to go back forthwith. Quit you, therefore, of him first, and
then will we take thought of the other."

"Lady, gramercy!" saith Meliot, "and Messire Gawain will take it in
right good part, for this knight hath slain my lion that defended me
from all my enemies. Nor is it true that the entrance to your tent was
deserted on account of my lion; and in despite of me hath he hung the
head at my gate."

"As of the lion," saith the Queen, "you have no quarrel against him and
he slew him in defending his body, but as of the despite he did you as
you say, when in nought had you done him any wrong, it shall not be
that right shalt be denied you in my court, and if you desire to
deliver battle, no blame shall you have thereof."

XVI.

Clamados maketh arm him and mounteth on his horse, and he seemeth right
hardy of his arms