is in it, and,
but for him, never would his court have been so redoubted as it is.
For no knight is there so cruel to his foes nor so redoubted throughout
all Great Britain as is Lancelot, and, for that King Arthur loveth you,
make him not that he hate his knights, for such four or such six be
there in his castle as may depart therefrom without returning, the loss
whereof should scarce be made good by us. Lancelot hath well served
the King aforetime, and the King well knoweth how much he is worth; and
if so be that King Claudas purposeth to war on King Arthur for
Lancelot's sake, according as I have heard, without any reason, and
King Arthur be not more craven than he wont to be, he may well abide
his warfare and his strife so treason harm him not. For so many good
knights hath King Arthur yet, that none knoweth such knights nor such
King in the world beside."

BRANCH XXVIII.

TITLE I.

This story saith that Briant would have been wroth with a will against
Orguelleux of the Launde, had it not been for the King, and Orguelleux
against him, for Orguelleux heeded no danger when anger and ill-will
carried him away. Therewithal the talk came to an end. When the King
learnt the tidings that Madeglant was discomfited and that the land of
Albanie was in peace, he sent word to Lancelot to return back. They of
the land were very sorrowful when he departed, for great affiance had
they in his chivalry. So he came back thither where King Arthur was.
All they of the land made a great joy, for well loved was he of many,
nor were there none that hated him save of envy alone. They told him
the tidings of King Claudas, and also in what manner Briant had spoken.
Lancelot took no notice outwardly, as he that well knew how to redress
all his grievances. He was at the court of a long while, for that King
Claudas was about to send over thither some one of his knights. Briant
of the Isles would fain that the King should have given him his leave,
for more he hated him than ever another knight in the court, sith he it
was that many a time had harmed him more than any other. By Briant's
counsel, King Claudas sent his knight to King Arthur's court, wherein
did he not wisely, for that he thereby renewed a matter whereof
afterward came right great mischief, as this title witnesseth.

II.

Madeglant of Oriande heard say that Lancelot was repaired back, and
that the land of Albanie was all void save for the folk of the country.