you wish him to desist,
I am willing that he should do so," Lancelot would not have touched him
or made a movement for anything, even if the other had killed him. He
does not touch him or raise his hand. But Meleagant, beside himself with
rage and shame when he hears that it has been necessary to intercede
in his behalf, strikes him with all the strength he can muster. And the
king went down from the tower to upbraid his son, and entering the list
he addressed him thus: "How now? Is this becoming, to strike him when he
is not touching thee? Thou art too cruel and savage, and thy prowess
is now out of place! For we all know beyond a doubt that he is thy
superior." Then Meleagant, choking with shame, says to the king: "I
think you must be blind! I do not believe you see a thing. Any one must
indeed be blind to think I am not better than he." "Seek some one to
believe thy words!" the king replies, "for all the people know whether
thou speakest the truth or a lie. All of us know full well the truth."
Then the king bids his barons lead his son away, which they do at once
in execution of his command: they led away Meleagant. But it was not
necessary to use force to induce Lancelot to withdraw, for Meleagant
might have harmed him grievously, before he would have sought to defend
himself. Then the king says to his son: "So help me God, now thou must
make peace and surrender the Queen. Thou must cease this quarrel once
for all and withdraw thy claim." "That is great nonsense you have
uttered! I hear you speak foolishly. Stand aside! Let us fight, and do
not mix in our affairs!" But the king says he will take a hand, for he
knows well that, were the fight to continue, Lancelot would kill his
son. "He kill me! Rather would I soon defeat and kill him, if you would
leave us alone and let us fight." Then the king says: "So help me God,
all that thou sayest is of no avail." "Why is that?" he asks. "Because I
will not consent. I will not so trust in thy folly and pride as to allow
thee to be killed. A man is a fool to court death, as thou dost in thy
ignorance. I know well that thou hatest me because I wish to save thy
life. God will not let me see and witness thy death, if I can help it,
for it would cause me too much grief." He talks to him and reproves him
until finally peace and good-will are restored. The terms of the peace
are these: he will surrender the Queen to Lancelot, provided that the
latter without reluctance will fight the