o his body, and
beareth him to the ground, both him and his horse all in a heap, and
draweth his spear back to him and looketh at the knight that lay as
dead and leaveth him in the launde, and draweth him towards the issue
incontinent. And so as the King went, he heard a great clashing of
knights coming right amidst the forest, so as it seemed there were a
good score or more of them, and he seeth them enter the launde from the
forest, armed and well horsed. And they come with great ado toward the
knight that lay dead in the midst of the launde. King Arthur was about
to issue forth, when the damsel that he had left under the tree cometh
forward to meet him.

"Sir," saith she, "For God's sake, return back and fetch me the head of
the knight that lieth there dead."

The King looketh back, and seeth the great peril and the multitude of
knights that are there all armed. "Ha, damsel," saith he, "You are
minded to slay me."

"Certes, Sir, that I am not, but sore need will there be that I should
have it, nor never did knight refuse to do the thing I asked nor deny
me any boon I demanded of him. Now God grant you be not the most
churlish."

"Ha, damsel, I am right sore wounded in the arm whereon I hold my
shield."

"Sir," saith she, "I know it well, nor never may you be heal thereof
save you bring me the head of the knight."

"Damsel," he saith, "I will essay it whatsoever may befal me thereof."

IX.

King Arthur looketh amidst the launde and seeth that they that have
come thither have cut the knight to pieces limb by limb, and that each
is carrying off a foot or a thigh or an arm or a hand and are
dispersing them through the forest. And he seeth that the last knight
beareth on the point of his spear the head. The King goeth after him a
great gallop and crieth out to him: "Ha, Sir knight, abide and speak to
me!"

"What is your pleasure?" saith the knight.

"Fair Sir," saith the King, "I beseech you of all loves that you deign
to give me the head of this knight that you are carrying on the point
of your lance."

"I will give it you," saith the knight, "on condition."

"What condition?" saith the King.

"That you tell me who slew the knight whose head I carry that you ask
of me."

"May I not otherwise have it?" saith the King.

"In no wise," saith he.

"Then will I tell you," saith the King. "Know of a very truth that
King Arthur slew him."

"And where is he?" saith the knight.

"Seek him until y