isoned and the knights mounted, all armed. They
come together to the tournament with such an onset as that they pass
through the thickest of the press and overthrew knights and horses as
many as they encountered. King Arthur espieth Nabigant that came right
gaily caparisoned, and smiteth him so passing strong a buffet in the
midst of his breast that he beareth him down from his horse, in such
sort that he breaketh his collar-bone, and presenteth the destrier, by
his squire, to the younger damsel, that maketh great joy thereof. And
Messire Gawain searcheth the fellowships on all sides, and so well did
he search that scarce was one might endure his blows. King Arthur is
not idle, but pierceth shields and beateth in helms, the while all look
on in wonderment at him and Messire Gawain. The story saith that the
King would have done still better, but that he put not forth his full
strength in deeds of arms, for that Messire Gawain had done so ill the
day before, and now he would fain that he should have the prize.

XIV.

The damsel that held the Golden Circlet was in the midst of the
assembly of knights, and had set it in a right rich casket of ivory
with precious stones, right worshipfully. When the damsel saw that the
assembly was at an end, she made all the knights stay, and prayed them
they should speak judgment true, concealing nought, who had best
deserved of arms, and ought therefore of right to have the Golden
Circle. They said all, that of right judgment the Knight of the Golden
Arms and he of the Red Arms ought to have the prize above all the
others, but that of these two, he of the Golden Arms ought to have the
prize, for so well did he the first day as that no knight might do
better, and on the last day likewise, and that if he of the Red Arms
had put forth his full strength on the last day, he would have done
full as well or better. The Circlet of Gold was brought to Messire
Gawain, but it was not known that it was he; and Messire Gawain would
fain that it had been given to my Lord King Arthur. The knights
departed from the assembly. The King and Messire Gawain came back to
the tent and brought the Golden Circlet, whereof the damsels made great
joy. Thereupon, behold you! the dwarf that cometh back.

"Damsels, better is it to lodge knights such as these than Messire
Gawain the coward, the craven that had so much shame at the assembly!
You yourselves would have been sore blamed had you lodged him.