ire Ywain li Aoutres toward the castle of
the Hard Rock. I thought to help to rescue him, but they have wounded
me in such sort as you see."

"Are they ever so far away?" saith Lancelot.

"Sir, they will pass just now at the head of this forest; and so you
are fain to go thither, I will return with you right willingly and help
you to the best I may."

Lancelot smiteth his horse with the spurs forthwith, and the knight
after him, and espieth Kay the Seneschal, that was bringing Messire
Ywain along at a great pace, and had set him upon a trotting hackney,
for so he thought that none would know him. Lancelot overtaketh him
and crieth, "By my head, Kay the Seneschal, shame had you enough of
that you did to King Arthur when you slew his son, and as much more
ought you now to have of thus warring upon him again!"

He smiteth his horse of his spurs, lance in rest, and Kay the Seneschal
turneth toward him, and they mell together with their spears on their
shields, and pierce them in such sort that an ells-length of each shaft
passeth through beyond.

XIV.

The lances were strong so as that they brast not. They draw them back
to themselves so stoutly and come together so fiercely that their
horses stagger and they lose the stirrups. Lancelot catcheth Kay the
Seneschal at the passing beyond, in the midst of the breast, and
thrusteth his spear into him so far that the point remained in the
flesh, and Kay to-brast his own; and sore grieved was he when he felt
himself wounded. The knight that was wounded overthrew one of the two
knights. Kay is on the ground, and Lancelot taketh his horse and
setteth Messire Ywain li Aoutres thereupon, that was right sore wounded
so as that he scarce might bear it. Kay the Seneschal maketh his
knight remount, and holdeth his sword grasped in his fist as though he
had been stark wood. Lancelot seeth the two knights sore badly
wounded, and thinketh that and he stay longer they may remain on the
field. He maketh them go before him, and Kay the Seneschal followeth
them behind, himself the third knight, that is right wroth of the wound
he feeleth and the blood that he seeth. Lancelot bringeth off his
knights like as the wild-boar goeth among the dogs, and Kay dealeth him
great buffets of his sword when he may catch him, and Lancelot him
again, and so they depart, fencing in such sort.

XV.

When Kay the Seneschal seeth that he may not harm him, he turneth him
back, full of great w