e does not deign to draw his sword,
and quickly passes on with his companions. One of them remarks to the
other: "No one has ever seen so good a knight, nor has he any equal. Is
not this a marvellous thing, that he has forced a passage here?" And the
knight says to his brother: "Fair brother, for God's sake, make haste
to go and tell our father of this adventure." But the lad asserts and
swears that he will not go with the message, and will never leave the
knight until he has dubbed and knighted him; let his brother go with the
message, if he is so much concerned.

(Vv. 2267-2450.) Then they go on together until about three o'clock,
when they come upon a man, who asks them who they are. And they answer:
"We are knights, busy about our own affairs." Then the man says to the
knight: "Sire, I should be glad to offer hospitality to you and your
companions here." This invitation he delivers to him whom he takes to be
the lord and master of the others. And this one replies to him: "I could
not seek shelter for the night at such an hour as this; for it is not
well to tarry and seek one's ease when one has undertaken some great
task. And I have such business on hand that I shall not stop for the
night for some time yet." Then the man continues: "My house is not near
here, but is some distance ahead. It will be late when you reach there,
so you may proceed, assured that you will find a place to lodge just
when it suits you." "In that case," he says, "I will go thither."
Thereupon the man starts ahead as guide, and the knight follows along
the path. And when they had proceeded some distance, they met a squire
who was coming along at a gallop, mounted upon a nag that was as fat
and round as an apple. And the squire calls our to the man: "Sire,
sire, make haste! For the people of Logres have attacked in force the
inhabitants of this land, and war and strife have already broken out;
and they say that this country has been invaded by a knight who has
been in many battles, and that wherever he wishes to go, no one, however
reluctantly, is able to deny him passage. And they further say that he
will deliver those who are in this country, and will subdue our people.
Now take my advice and make haste!" Then the man starts at a gallop, and
the others are greatly delighted at the words they have heard, for they
are eager to help their side. And the vavasor's son says: "Hear what
this squire says! Come and let us aid our people who are fighti