for two wounds that he had upon his body; for he
cared not to issue forth of the house until such time as they were
healed, and also for that he had no horse. And so soon as he felt
himself whole, he ventured himself against the four knights, that were
so a-dread of him that they durst not come a-nigh. And moreover he
deigneth not to go a-foot, wherefore if they now come a-nigh, it may
not be but he shall have one at least out of their four horses, but
they hold them heedfully aloof."

"Sir," saith Perceval, "Gramercy of these tidings."

They were fain to depart from the knight, but said he: "Ha, Lords,
allow me so much as to see the destruction of this evil folk that have
wrought such mischief in this forest! Sir" saith he to Messire Gawain,
"I am cousin to the Poor Knight of the Waste Forest that hath the two
poor damsels to sister, there where you and Lancelot jousted between
you, and when the knight that brought you tidings thereof died in the
night."

"By my faith," saith Messire Gawain, "These tidings know I well, for
you say true, and your company hold I right dear for the love of the
Poor Knight, for never yet saw I more courteous knight, nor more
courteous damsels, nor better nurtured, and our Lord God grant them as
much good as I would they should have."

Messire Gawain made the knight go before, for well knew he the robbers'
hold, but loath enough had he been to go thither, had the knights not
followed him behind. Lancelot was issued forth of the hold sword in
hand, all armed, angry as a lion. The four knights were upon their
horses all armed, but no mind had they come a-nigh him, for sore
dreaded they the huge buffets he dealt, and his hardiment. One of them
came forward before the others, and it seemed him shame that they might
not vanquish one single knight. He goeth to smite Lancelot a great
stroke of his sword above in the midst of his head, nor did Lancelot's
sword fail of its stroke, for before he could draw back, Lancelot dealt
him such a blow as smote oft all of his leg at the thigh, so that he
made him leave the saddlebows empty. Lancelot leapt up on the
destrier, and now seemed him he was safer than before. The three
robber-knights that yet remained whole ran upon him on all sides and
began to press him of their swords in right sore wrath. Thereupon
behold you, the knight cometh to the way that goeth to the hold and
saith to Messire Gawain and Perceval, "Now may you hear the dashing o