ch comforted of the coming of Lancelot, but he is
much grieved that he findeth so many of them wounded. Meliant of the
Waste Manor is at the castle of the Hard Rock, and good fellow is it
betwixt him and Kay the Seneschal. He is right glad of the tidings he
hath heard, that Lancelot is come, and saith that he is the knight of
the world that most he hateth, and that he will avenge him of his
father and he may meet him. There come before the castle of Cardoil
one day threescore knights armed, and they seize upon their booty
betwixt the castle and the forest. Lancelot issueth forth all armed,
and seven of the best of the castle with him. He cometh upon them
after that they have led away their plunder. He overtaketh one knight
and smiteth him with his spear right through the body, and the other
knights make an onset upon the others and many to-brake their spears,
and much clashing was there of steel on armour; and there fell at the
assembly on one side and the other full a score knights, whereof some
were wounded right sore. Meliant of the Waste Manor espied Lancelot,
and right great joy made he of seeing him, and smiteth him so stout a
buffet on the shield that he to-breaketh his spear.

XIX.

Lancelot smiteth him amidst the breast so grimly that he maketh him
bend backwards over the saddle behind, and so beareth him to the
ground, legs uppermost, over his horse's croup, and trampleth him under
his horse's feet. Lancelot was minded to alight to the ground to take
him, but Briant of the Isles cometh and maketh him mount again
perforce. The numbers grew on the one side and the other of knights
that came from Cardoil and from the Hard Rock. Right great was the
frushing of lances and the clashing of swords and the overthrow of
horses and knights. Briant of the Isles and Lancelot come against each
other so stoutly that they pierce their shields and cleave their
habergeons, and they thrust with their spears so that the flesh is
broken under the ribs and the shafts are all-to-splintered. They
hurtle against each other so grimly at the by-passing that their eyes
sparkle as it were of stars in their heads, and the horses stagger
under them. They hold their swords drawn, and so return the one toward
the other like lions. Such buffets deal they upon their helms that
they beat them in and make the fire leap out by the force of the
smiting of iron by steel. And Meliant cometh all armed toward Lancelot
to aid Briant of